From a first single in 1979, the group successfully combined a pop rock and power pop (and sometimes, a blues rock) influenced backing with harmony side-vocals and Lewis' strident voice, and the band had numerous hit songs during the 1980s and early 1990s. These include "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time" (both of which were featured in the film "Back to the Future"), "I Want a New Drug", "Doin' It All (For My Baby)", "Do You Believe in Love?" "Hip to Be Square", "Stuck With You", and "Jacob's Ladder". Huey Lewis shared three Grammy awards, an American Music Award, and a People's Choice Award along with several artists for his role singing the 1985 charity song "We Are the World" as well.
=Albums=
Huey Lewis & the News (1980)
Picture This (1982) [#13 U.S. Gold]
Sports (1983) [#1 U.S. 7x Platinum]
Back to the Future Soundtrack (1985) [Gold]
Fore! (1986) [#1 U.S. 3x Platinum]
Small World (1988) [#11 U.S. Platinum]
Hard at Play (1991) [#27 U.S. Gold]
The Heart of Rock & Roll - The Best of Huey Lewis and The News (1992)
Four Chords & Several Years Ago (1994) [#55 U.S.]
Time Flies: The Best of Huey Lewis and the News (1996) [#185 U.S.]
Plan B (2001) [#165 U.S.]
Live at 25 (2005)
Greatest Hits & Videos (2006) [#70 U.S.]
www.hueylewisandthenews.com
Honky Tonk Blues
Huey Lewis & The News Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Told my pa I was going stepping out
And get the honky tonk blues
Yeah, the honky tonk blues
And oh, I got 'em, I got the honky tonk blues
Well, I stopped into every place in town
This city life has really got me down
Yeah, the honky tonk blues
And Lord, I got 'em, I got the honky tonk blues
Well I went out last night I wore out my shoes
Woke up this morning wishing I could lose
Those jumping honky tonk blues
Yeah, the honky tonk blues
And Lord, I got 'em, I got the honky tonk blues
I'm gonna tuck my worries underneath my arm
And scat right back to my pappy's farm
And leave those honky tonk blues
Yeah, the honky tonk blues
And Lord, I got 'em, I got the honky tonk blues
Well, I'm gonna tuck my worries underneath my arm
And scat right back to my pappy's farm
And leave those honky tonk blues
Yeah, the honky tonk blues
And Lord, I got 'em, I got the honky tonk blues
Yeah Lord, I got 'em, I got the honky tonk blues
Yeah Lord, I got 'em, I got the honky tonk blues
Yeah I've been on the road too long
It's getting lonely out here
Night after, night after, night after night
Let's go home, folks
Uptown blues, woo
I got the uptown blues
The song Honky Tonk Blues by Huey Lewis & The News is a cover of the original song by Hank Williams. The lyrics describe the singer leaving his rural home to go out, experience city life, and dance away his troubles in the honky tonks and bars. However, instead of finding happiness, he becomes disillusioned and overwhelmed by the fast-paced city life. He finds himself with the honky tonk blues, feeling lost and alone. The singer decides to return to his roots and go back to his family's farm, leaving the city and the honky tonk behind.
The song's narrator sings of feeling disconnected and unsatisfied with city life. The lyrics demonstrate how city life and the temptations that come with it can cause a person to feel lost and disconnected from their roots. This song is a reminder that sometimes, we need to return to our roots to find clarity and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I left my home down on the rural route
I left my hometown and family behind to pursue a more exciting life
Told my pa I was going stepping out
I informed my father of my plans to leave and explore the world
And get the honky tonk blues
To experience the wild and free lifestyle associated with honky tonk music
Yeah, the honky tonk blues
Referring to the emotions and feelings that come with living the honky tonk lifestyle
And oh, I got 'em, I got the honky tonk blues
Expressing the fact that he is currently experiencing the honky tonk blues
Well, I stopped into every place in town
He visited every bar and nightspot in the city, looking for a good time
This city life has really got me down
Expressing a sense of disillusionment with the city and its fast-paced lifestyle
And Lord, I got 'em, I got the honky tonk blues
Reiterating the fact that he is still grappling with the emotions and feelings associated with the honky tonk lifestyle
Well I went out last night I wore out my shoes
He danced so much and had so much fun the previous night that he wore out his shoes
Woke up this morning wishing I could lose
Regretting the excessive behavior and hoping to shake off the negative feelings
Those jumping honky tonk blues
Referring to the intense and lively emotions associated with honky tonk music and lifestyle
I'm gonna tuck my worries underneath my arm
He is going to ignore his worries and just enjoy the moment
And scat right back to my pappy's farm
He is planning to go back to his family and hometown to find solace
And leave those honky tonk blues
Wanting to distance himself from the wild and free lifestyle and associated emotions
Yeah Lord, I got 'em, I got the honky tonk blues
Reiterating the fact that he is still experiencing the emotions and feelings associated with the honky tonk lifestyle
Yeah I've been on the road too long
Expressing a sense of weariness from traveling and pursuing a non-stop, fast-paced lifestyle
It's getting lonely out here
Acknowledging the fact that the honky tonk lifestyle can be isolating and lonely
Let's go home, folks
Expressing a desire to return to a more stable and familiar life
Uptown blues, woo
Referring to the more sophisticated and refined emotions associated with city living
I got the uptown blues
Acknowledging that the emotions associated with city living can be just as intense and powerful as those associated with the honky tonk lifestyle
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind