Honky Tonk Girl
Hank Thompson And His Brazos Valley Boys Lyrics


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Don't be fooled by big blue eyes
By a smile or a golden curl
For she'll love you now
And then break every vow
'Cause she's just a honky-tonk girl

Don't be fooled by kisses
Or arms that hold you tight
There will be another
In her arms tomorrow night

Hearts to her are toy tops
She likes to watch 'em whirl
'Cause she's just a honky-tonk girl

You can never change her ways
Though you give her all the world
She's got more than one or two
And each day there's someone new
'Cause she's just a honky-tonk girl

Breaking hearts to her
Is just a way of having fun
She thinks every man's a fool
And you're another one

She knows all the arts of love
She'll give your heart a twirl
'Cause she's just a honky-tonk girl

Don't be fooled by kisses
Or arms that hold you tight
There will be another
In her arms tomorrow night

Hearts to her are toy tops
She likes to watch 'em whirl
'Cause she's just a honky-tonk girl

Overall Meaning

The song "Honky Tonk Girl" by Hank Thompson is a classic country tune that portrays the story of a promiscuous woman who frequents the honky-tonk bars. The song warns the listeners not to be fooled by her charm, as she is not capable of being faithful in a relationship. The lyrics suggest that she is only interested in short-term flings and finds it amusing to break hearts.


The opening lines of the song, "Don't be fooled by big blue eyes, by a smile or a golden curl. For she'll love you now and then break every vow 'cause she's just a honky-tonk girl," emphasize the idea that the woman is not to be trusted. She is portrayed as a seductive figure who can easily lure men into her trap. The lyrics suggest that she does not care about her partners' emotions and uses them only for temporary pleasure.


The song's chorus, "Don't be fooled by kisses or arms that hold you tight. There will be another in her arms tomorrow night. Hearts to her are toy tops; she likes to watch 'em whirl 'cause she's just a honky-tonk girl," continues to emphasize the woman's unfaithful and manipulative nature. The lyrics suggest that she enjoys watching men's hearts break, and she has no intention of changing her ways.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't be fooled by big blue eyes
Do not be deceived by her big blue eyes


By a smile or a golden curl
Nor her smile or golden curls


For she'll love you now
Although she might love you now


And then break every vow
She will break every promise she has made


'Cause she's just a honky-tonk girl
She is just a woman who loves honky-tonk bars


Don't be fooled by kisses
Do not let her kisses deceive you


Or arms that hold you tight
Also, her love embraces should not be taken for granted


There will be another
She will have someone new every time


In her arms tomorrow night
And she will find someone new tomorrow night


Hearts to her are toy tops
She sees relationships as mere toys


She likes to watch 'em whirl
She enjoys the excitement of the relationship's decline


'Cause she's just a honky-tonk girl
Again, she is nothing but a woman who loves honky-tonk bars


You can never change her ways
Her behavior cannot be corrected


Though you give her all the world
Even if you give her everything the world has to offer


She's got more than one or two
She has more than one or two lovers


And each day there's someone new
Someone new is always taken by her every day


'Cause she's just a honky-tonk girl
The repeated statement emphasizes her love for honky-tonk bars


Breaking hearts to her
Breaking relationships to her


Is just a way of having fun
Is merely a way for her to have fun


She thinks every man's a fool
She has no respect for any man


And you're another one
Including the person reading this song


She knows all the arts of love
She knows how to manipulate and deceive with love


She'll give your heart a twirl
She will have your heart spinning in circles


'Cause she's just a honky-tonk girl
Again, she's nothing but a woman who enjoys honky-tonk bars


Don't be fooled by kisses
Repeated message of not getting fooled by her kisses


Or arms that hold you tight
Or when she holds you tight


There will be another
Another lover


In her arms tomorrow night
Who she would be with the next day


Hearts to her are toy tops
Again, to her, a relationship is just a toy


She likes to watch 'em whirl
She enjoys the thrill of how short-lived relationships can be


'Cause she's just a honky-tonk girl
Closing statement reiterating that she is just a woman who loves honky-tonk bars




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHUCK HARDING, HANK THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@oldguy3255

We used to live between Texarkana and Atlanta Texas in '54 and there was a cafe next door that had country music playing on the jukebox 16 hours a day. I learned a lot of country songs playing in our yard. I'm sure this master of country swing was heard often.

@geraldthorburn1123

As a Limey starved of all the wonderful records played in the States in those days, due to the wretched Musicians Union 'ban' on discs being played on our (only) BBC radio channel (no commercial stations then, I am envious of your childhood memories.

@livemummys

One of my favorites by Hank - ( then again, I like 'em all ) Thanks for Sharing

@charlielohr5252

hell yeah!!!

@margueritewilliamshesjusto8704

miss u hank Thompson loved your music my husband could sing like u.he had a big band in west plam beach Florida

@anthonybelcher8569

Fabulous singer 66

@ustheserfs

I can't think of a better job in this nation's history than being a country disc jockey throwing these platters on the player and dropping the needle.

@janettgrady2394

Ha...I never thought Hank knew I existed. But I reckon he might have. Who else could he be singing about? Oh, I suppose he could have met one of my friends, a blonde who was forever bragging about dancing with Conway Twitty, drinking beer with Ray Price, and getting laid by one or another Country "star." She never mentioned her meeting Hank, though, but...

@lafamiliamichoacan1268

sounds like my ex julia