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
Hony 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 and The News is a cover of Hank Williams' classic song. The lyrics describe the singer's experience and feelings after leaving his rural home and searching for excitement in the city. He visits every place in town but the city life seems to have worn him out, leaving him with the "honky tonk blues". He goes out at night and wakes up with a hangover wishing he could "lose those jumping honky tonk blues". He decides to leave the city behind and return to his hometown and his father's farm, where he can leave those blues behind.
The song is a classic country tune that has been covered by many artists over the years. Huey Lewis and The News version is an upbeat, rock and roll version that adds a touch of rhythm and blues to the song. The song's overall message is the idea of returning to a simpler and more meaningful life, and that sometimes the more challenging and exciting life in the city can leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I left my home down on the rural route
I departed from my home in the countryside
Told my pa I was going stepping out
Informed my father that I was going out to have fun
And get the honky tonk blues
To experience the feeling of sadness and regret while enjoying a night out at a honky tonk bar
Well, I stopped into every place in town
I visited every establishment in the city
This city life has really got me down
Living in the city has made me feel depressed
Well I went out last night I wore out my shoes
I went out and danced so much last night that I ruined my shoes
Woke up this morning wishing I could lose
I woke up feeling regretful and wishing I could forget what happened
Those jumping honky tonk blues
The excited feeling of being at a honky tonk bar is now causing me sadness and regret
I'm gonna tuck my worries underneath my arm
I'm going to ignore my troubles and carry on with my life
And scat right back to my pappy's farm
I'm going to return to my father's farm for comfort and peace
And leave those honky tonk blues
I'll leave behind the feelings of sadness and regret that I experienced at the honky tonk bar
Yeah Lord, I got 'em, I got the honky tonk blues
I'm reflecting on the fact that I'm still feeling the sadness and regret from the honky tonk bar
I've been on the road too long
I've been traveling for too much time
It's getting lonely out here
Being on the road has made me lonely
Uptown blues, woo
Although the previous feelings were related to the honky tonk bar, now I'm experiencing a general feeling of sadness
I got the uptown blues
I'm feeling sad due to my travels and being away from home
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind