New Orleans
Gillan Lyrics


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I said a hey, hey, hey yeah
I said a hey, hey, hey yeah
Well come on everybody take a trip with me
Well down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
The Honey Suckle's bloomin' on the Honey Suckle vine
And love is a blooming there all the time
You know every Southern Bell is a Mississippi Queen
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans

I said a hey, hey, hey yeah
I said a hey, hey, hey yeah
Well come on everybody take a trip with me
Well down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
Oh well the magnolia blossom fills the air
If you ain't been to heaven then you ain't been there
You got French Moss growing from big oak tree
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans

I said a hey, hey, hey yeah
I said look out child yeah, yeah, yeah




I said a hey, hey, hey yeah
I said hey

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gillan's song "New Orleans" are an invitation to take a trip down the Mississippi River to the culturally-rich city of New Orleans. The song brings to life the vibrant atmosphere of the city, filled with the sweet fragrance of honeysuckles and magnolias, the grandeur of the big oak trees, and the elegance of Southern belles adorning the streets; all of which instigate the place's fame and allure for tourists and locals. Gillan's use of repetition in the lyrics with the phrase "I said hey, hey, hey yeah" shows the infectious joy that comes with the spirit of the city.


The lyrics also symbolize the love that blossoms in New Orleans, as residents and visitors alike are enchanted by the city's charm, history, culture, and music. The song paints a picture of a place that is unapologetically itself, with its thick French accents, traditional jazz, and cuisine, all of which have shaped the city's reputation as a vibrant cultural capital of the United States.


Overall, Gillan's "New Orleans" lyrics serve as an excellent tribute to one of the most iconic cities in the world. They allow both those who have never been to New Orleans and those who have visited to experience the unique magic and allure of the city.


Line by Line Meaning

I said a hey, hey, hey yeah
The singer excitedly cheers and beckons the listener to join them on a trip.


Well come on everybody take a trip with me
The singer invites everyone to take a journey with them.


Well down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
The destination of the trip is New Orleans, which is located by the Mississippi River.


The Honey Suckle's bloomin' on the Honey Suckle vine
The Honey Suckle vine is in full bloom, indicating the arrival of spring and new beginnings.


And love is a blooming there all the time
New Orleans is a city where love is prevalent and always blossoming.


You know every Southern Bell is a Mississippi Queen
All women in the South are regal and embody a queen-like energy, especially those from Mississippi.


Oh well the magnolia blossom fills the air
The scent of the magnolia blossom is in the air, signifying the beauty and purity of nature.


If you ain't been to heaven then you ain't been there
The artist describes New Orleans as a heavenly place that must be experienced in order for one to truly understand its magnificence.


You got French Moss growing from big oak tree
French Moss can be seen growing from big oak trees, indicating the lushness and richness of the city's flora.


I said look out child yeah, yeah, yeah
The artist cautions the listener to be alert and mindful as they navigate New Orleans.




Contributed by Eva T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Rita Bogner

Gillan is excellent as usual...He is a very talented..musician and..his Haar is fantastic..

Terry Allen

My favourite front man of all time, no one screamed like Ian Gillan.

Jon Mallek

Halford crushes him.

Henry Krinkle

@Jon Mallek Yes, if you like camp s&m

Jon Mallek

@Henry Krinkle Huh?

Andrew Nemtusak

@Jon Mallek nobody does what Ian did on In Rock, let alone 'crushes him'. Gillan is The Man.

Michelle Mysliwiec

@Jon Mallek
Ummm, No.

4 More Replies...

Paul Hyland

Heard this when I was 13. Now that I am 54, I found it again. Great!!!

GoT Fan

A great song.... and this is the very best version I've ever heard. Gillans unbelievable Voice in the old times....

Ivan Sandvik

Little Richard...RIP

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