You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl
Brooks & Dunn Lyrics


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Connie came back from her second cousin's wedding
First time she'd been home in 'bout a year or two
Just in time for the rehearsal dinner
But that crazy Connie wasn't wearing any shoes

[Chorus]
She lives in L.A. she flies to New York City
That woman's been around the world
You can take that girl out of the honky tonk
But you can't take the honky tonk, can't take the honky tonk
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Out of that girl

Well the dinner broke up at about 11:30
And the boys went off to do what boys will do
Connie said come here girls we need to huddle up
Around something that's a hundred proof

[Chorus]

It's nine a.m. in front of the church
People are going nuts just looking for the groom
And by the way where's Connie
She's run off with that boy in Cancun





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song You Can't Take the Honky Tonk out of the Girl by Brooks & Dunn tells the story of a woman named Connie who has traveled the world and lives in L.A. but still retains her roots from being raised in a honky tonk. The lyrics describe Connie's return home for a family wedding and how she stands out from the rest of the attendees by not wearing shoes at the rehearsal dinner. The chorus emphasizes Connie's worldly experiences but also affirms that her honky tonk upbringing will always be a part of her identity.


The second verse of the song shows Connie leading her female friends in a toast with "something that's a hundred proof," suggesting that despite her glamorous lifestyle, she remains down-to-earth and enjoys simple pleasures. In the third verse, the chaos of the wedding day ensues, and Connie decides to run away with a man she met in Cancun, once again demonstrating her free-spirited nature and love for adventure.


Overall, the song celebrates the idea that no matter where a person goes or what they do, their roots and upbringing will always be a part of them. Connie's honky tonk heritage is something she can't escape, and it's a part of what makes her unique and interesting.


Line by Line Meaning

Connie came back from her second cousin's wedding
After attending a relative's wedding, Connie returned home after being away for a year or two.


First time she'd been home in 'bout a year or two
Connie had not returned home for nearly two years.


Just in time for the rehearsal dinner
Connie returned home just in time for the wedding's rehearsal dinner.


But that crazy Connie wasn't wearing any shoes
Connie arrived at the rehearsal dinner without any shoes, acting oddly.


She lives in L.A. she flies to New York City
Connie travels frequently between Los Angeles and New York City.


That woman's been around the world
Connie has traveled extensively around the world.


You can take that girl out of the honky tonk
Connie can be taken out of country-style bars and clubs.


But you can't take the honky tonk, can't take the honky tonk
However, Connie's love for the country lifestyle will never truly go away.


Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh


Out of that girl


Well the dinner broke up at about 11:30
The dinner ended around 11:30pm.


And the boys went off to do what boys will do
The men went off to do what men typically do.


Connie said come here girls we need to huddle up
Connie called the women together to gather for a drink.


Around something that's a hundred proof
The group gathered around a drink that was very strong.


It's nine a.m. in front of the church
The time is nine in the morning, and they are outside the church.


People are going nuts just looking for the groom
People are frantically searching for the groom.


And by the way where's Connie
They are unsure of Connie's whereabouts.


She's run off with that boy in Cancun
Connie has gone off with a young man to Cancun.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BART ALLMAND, BOB DIPIERO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@UCqkdtMiE5ZquD_lF9prae4Q

Lyrics: ❤
Yeah, Connie came back for her second cousin's wedding
First time she'd been home in a year or two
Just in time for the rehearsal dinner
That crazy Connie wasn't wearing any shoes

Yeah, she lives in L.A. she flies to New York City
That woman's been around the world
You can take the girl out of the honky-tonk
But you can't take the honky-tonk
Take the honky-tonk out of the girl

We let dinner broke up at around 11:30
And boys went out to do what boys do
Connie said, "Hey girls, let's huddle up"
Around something 'bout a hundred proof

She lives in L.A. she flies to New York City
That woman's been around the world
You can take the girl out of the honky-tonk
But you can't take the honky-tonk
Take the honky-tonk out of the girl

Well at 9 a.m. out in front of that church
People going nuts looking for the groom
Somebody says, "Hey by the way, where's Connie?"
She's run off with that boy to Cancun

Yeah, she lives in L.A. she flies to New York City
That woman's been around the world
You can take the girl out of the honky-tonk
But you can't take the honky-tonk
Take the honky-tonk out of the girl



All comments from YouTube:

@michelleallen1664

I chose this song to use when I did my last Georgia Bodybuilding Contest. Broke the mold using country music instead of hard rock & also wore my cowboy hat fit the night show. WHAT AN AWESOME NIGHT!! Crowd😮 went crazy & I won, for the second time! Did the show for my son who died a year ago. RIP, BRIAN ALLEN! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH....Momma

@angelaallen340

Brooks & Dunn.....never gets old

@cameronwitmer

A great voice wasted on cheap plastic drivel like this. Jones he’s dead, he’s been a long time gone.

@ladypaul7932

First, Ronnie looks so relaxed and is having a GREAT time, go Ronnie. This song is one of THOSE songs thats timeless.When it was released I had just had my triplets, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby and 2yr old. My husband and I survived on turmoil and the infectious tempo of this song. Unfortunately, I didn't see the video until 2 to 3yrs later when I could breathe.Today all the girls are honor students, but one remind me of Connie."My" Connie is Ruby who never delivers a dull moment.To all parents rearing a Connie, nurture the wild girl because they give much laughter.THANKS TO ALL THE CONNIE'S IN THE WORLD 💪💪💪

@duanemayberry9280

Amazing, just to survive 🤣. Great for ya

@angelaallen340

Ronnie Dunn is great

@RalphieGirl713

My grammy's name was Connie, and she LOVED this song. Brooks and Dunn's greatest hits CD was a must have for every road trip we took ❤

This song brings me so many happy memories. I miss you, Gram ❤

@bootsieboris830

This song , like a lot of other brooks and Dunn songs, randomly pop in my head every now and then love these guys

@hausengell

Met Ronnie Dunn here in Oklahoma. Great guy,he gave me an autograph. No pictures,a lot of hugs.

@toadamine

I sing this to my pups when they catch a squirrel... "you can take the squirrel out of the chompy chomp, but you cant take the chompy chomp, out of the squirrel" 🇺🇸🤣👍

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