Honey Hush
Burnette Johnny Lyrics
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Come in this house, stop all that yakety-yak
'Cause your sugar daddy don't want no talkin' back
You keep on a-tellin', talking 'bout this and that
You keep on a-talkin', talking 'bout this and that
I got news for you, you ain't nothing but an alleycat
Turn off the waterworks baby, they don't move me no-more
When I leave this time, I ain't com' back no-more
Honey hush! Oow!
I said come in this house, stop all that yakety-yak
Come on in this house woman, stop all that yakety-yak
Don't make me nervous, I'm holdin' a baseball bat
Well it's a hi-ho, hi-ho silver
A hi-ho, a hi-ho silver, hi-ho, a hi-ho silver
Hi-ho, hi-ho silver
Hi-ho, hi-ho silver away
The lyrics to "Honey Hush" by Burnette Johnny depict a man who is fed up with his partner's constant talking and complaining. He wants her to stop all the excessive talking and be submissive to him, as he is the one providing for her. The phrase "yakety-yak" is used twice to emphasize how much he wants her to stop talking. He calls her an "alleycat," which is a derogatory term used to describe a promiscuous woman or a woman who is always on the prowl. He tells her to turn off the "waterworks," indicating that she was crying or emotional about something, but it no longer affects him. He warns her not to make him nervous because he is holding a baseball bat.
The song is a reflection of the gender roles and societal expectations prevalent in the 1950s when it was released. Men were expected to be the breadwinners and in control, while women were expected to be submissive and obedient to their partners. This song reinforces those expectations and shows how women who did not fit into that mold were treated.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, come in this house, stop all that yakety-yak
Enter the house and stop talking excessively
Come in this house, stop all that yakety-yak
Repeat of the first line to emphasize the need to stop talking
'Cause your sugar daddy don't want no talkin' back
Stop talking back to your sugar daddy, who supports you financially
You keep on a-tellin', talking 'bout this and that
You keep talking about various topics
You keep on a-talkin', talking 'bout this and that
Repeat of the previous line
I got news for you, you ain't nothing but an alleycat
You are promiscuous and unfaithful, just like a stray cat
Turn off the waterworks baby, they don't move me no-more
Stop crying, it no longer affects me emotionally
Turn off the waterworks baby, they don't move me no-more
Repeat of the previous line
When I leave this time, I ain't com' back no-more
I have no intention of returning after I leave this time
Honey hush! Oow!
Be quiet and stop talking, emphasizing with an exclamation
I said come in this house, stop all that yakety-yak
Repetition of the earlier request to stop talking
Come on in this house woman, stop all that yakety-yak
Addressing the woman again to stop talking
Don't make me nervous, I'm holdin' a baseball bat
Implied threat to harm the woman with a baseball bat if she doesn't stop talking
Well it's a hi-ho, hi-ho silver
A reference to the Lone Ranger's catchphrase
A hi-ho, a hi-ho silver, hi-ho, a hi-ho silver
Repetition of the catchphrase
Hi-ho, hi-ho silver
Repeat of the catchphrase
Hi-ho, hi-ho silver away
Emphasizing the Lone Ranger reference and departure from the situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: J. MAYO WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind