He retired from performing in 1979. He had many famous hits including, "Kisses Don't Lie", "Are You Teasing Me", "Hey Joe", and many others.
In 2003, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He is probably best known for the recording of "Times A-Wastin'" with June Carter.
Hey Joe!
Carl Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where'd you get that jolly-dolly?
How'd you rate that dish I wish was mine?
Hey Joe, she's got skin that's creamy-dreamy
Eyes that look so lovey-dovey
Lips as red as cherry-berry wine
But old buddy let me tell you how I feel
She's a honey, she's a sugar-pie
I'm warning you I'm gonna try to steal her from you
Hey Joe, though we've been the best of friends
This is where our friendship ends
I gotta have that dolly for my own
Hey Joe, come on let's be buddy-duddy
Show me you're my palsy-walsy
Introduce that pretty little chick to me
Hey Joe, quit that waiting, hesitating
Let me at her, what's the matter
You're as slow as any Joe can be
Now come on Joe, let's make a deal
Let me dance with her to see if she is real
She's the cutest girl I've ever seen
I'll tell you face to face I mean to steal her from you
Hey Joe, now we'll be friends till the end
This looks like the end, my friend
I gotta have that dolly for my own
The song "Hey Joe!" by Carl Smith, tells the story of two friends fighting over a girl. The song opens with the singer asking Joe where he found the girl he's with, and goes on to describe her in terms of her physical attributes. The singer then tells Joe that he plans on stealing the girl away from him, and asks for Joe's help in making an introduction. Over the course of the song, the singer attempts to convince Joe to let him have the girl, ultimately leading to the end of their friendship.
At its core, the song speaks to the tension that can exist between friends when romantic feelings come into play. The lyrics paint a picture of two men who are accustomed to sharing everything, including their romantic conquests. However, when one catches the eye of the other, the dynamic between them changes. The song portrays the idea that love and friendship are not always compatible and can often lead to conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe, where'd you find that pearly-girly?
Asking Joe where he found the attractive girl he's with.
Where'd you get that jolly-dolly?
Asking Joe where and how he got such an attractive girl.
How'd you rate that dish I wish was mine?
Asking Joe about the girl's beauty and expressing the singer's desire to have her as his own.
Hey Joe, she's got skin that's creamy-dreamy
Commenting on the girl's beautiful skin.
Eyes that look so lovey-dovey
Commenting on the attractiveness of the girl's eyes.
Lips as red as cherry-berry wine
Commenting on the girl's beautiful red lips.
Now listen Joe, I ain't no heel
The singer insists he is not a bad person.
But old buddy let me tell you how I feel
The artist wants to express his feelings to Joe.
She's a honey, she's a sugar-pie
Describing the girl as sweet and attractive.
I'm warning you I'm gonna try to steal her from you
The artist is informing Joe that he plans to try to take the girl away from him.
Hey Joe, though we've been the best of friends
Addressing Joe as a friend and acknowledging their friendship.
This is where our friendship ends
Suggesting that their friendship will be over if the artist takes the girl from Joe.
I gotta have that dolly for my own
The singer really wants the girl for himself and is willing to end the friendship for her.
Hey Joe, come on let's be buddy-duddy
Asking Joe to be friendly and to introduce the girl to the singer.
Show me you're my palsy-walsy
Asking Joe to show that they are good friends by sharing the girl with him.
Introduce that pretty little chick to me
Asking Joe to introduce the girl to the artist.
Hey Joe, quit that waiting, hesitating
Urging Joe to take some action and not to delay or hesitate.
Let me at her, what's the matter
Demanding that Joe let the singer have a chance with the girl as soon as possible.
You're as slow as any Joe can be
Suggesting that Joe is being too slow in letting the singer get a chance with the girl.
Now come on Joe, let's make a deal
Proposing a deal between the two friends to share the girl.
Let me dance with her to see if she is real
Asking Joe to let the artist dance with the girl to test their connection.
She's the cutest girl I've ever seen
Expressing the artist's belief that the girl is the most attractive he has ever encountered.
I'll tell you face to face I mean to steal her from you
Reiterating the singer's intention to take the girl from Joe.
Hey Joe, now we'll be friends till the end
Assuring Joe that they can still be friends even if the artist ends up with the girl.
This looks like the end, my friend
Suggesting that their friendship may actually come to an end if the singer succeeds in taking the girl from Joe.
I gotta have that dolly for my own
Reinforcing the singer's strong desire to be with the girl.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Boudleaux Bryant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Deborah Snell
Loved Carl Smith! He could sing some great classic country songs! RIP CARL! 🙏🏻❤️✝️
amylyno
Carl had a great stage presence, was very handsome, love that twinkle in his eye and has a great voice to boot!
Tony Marek
One of the best to do It!!
Tony Marek
You're a big fan of the oldies!!
Clayton Browm
One of the greatest singers of country
CHM
I love this song...brings back so many memories of my Dad singing it, playing his guitar on the Jam sessions my parents would have....I so miss those times
Tony Marek
Forever a classic!!
ginny white
used to hear my late dad say This looks like the end my friend now I think I know where he heard that saying at
Mary Madlene Roulette
As a kid, this was the 1st song I saw Carl sing on tv. Loved him & the song since..am now almost 67⚘👍🏼
Joe Didit
Even though he was primarily a country western singer, Carl Smith co-wrote two popular mainstream pop hit songs, "Rescue Me" and " Your Love is lifting me higher and higher"