Honky Tonk Women
Ike Turner & Tina Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He tried to take me upstairs for a ride
He had to heave me right across his shoulder
โCause I just canโt seem to drink you off my mind
I'm the honky tonk woman
Gimme, gimme, gimme a honky tonk man
I laid a VIP in New York city,
But I had to put myself out of some kind of a fight
He blew my nose and then he blew my mind
I'm a honky tonk woman
Gimme, gimme, gimme a honky tonk man
(Yeah) I'm a honky tonk woman
Gimme, gimme, gimme a honky tonk man
(Yeah) I'm a honky tonk woman
Gimme, gimme, gimme a honky tonk man
The song Honky Tonk Women by Ike and Tina Turner is a fun and lively tune that is all about a woman who enjoys the party life. The first verse tells a story of the woman meeting a "gin-soaked, bar-room queen" in Memphis who tries to take her upstairs for a ride. She is so consumed with thoughts of drinking and partying that the man has to carry her upstairs because she can't seem to drink it off her mind. The chorus then emphasizes her desire for a "honky tonk man" to fulfill her party lifestyle.
The second verse reveals that the woman is a VIP in New York City, but also reveals that she got herself into some kind of trouble that required her to fight. Later, a man (presumably the "honky tonk man" she desires) covers her with roses and blows her nose (possibly a reference to cocaine use), blowing her mind in the process. The repetition of the chorus reinforces her insatiable desire for a honky tonk man to share her party lifestyle with.
Overall, the lyrics to Honky Tonk Women paint a picture of a woman who is unapologetically living her life to the fullest, indulging in alcohol, drugs, and partying. The repetition of the chorus underscores her single-minded desire for a particular type of man to join her in her wild ways.
Line by Line Meaning
I met a gin soaked, bar-room queen in Memphis
I encountered a woman who had been drinking excessively in a Memphis bar and was promiscuous.
He tried to take me upstairs for a ride
He attempted to take me to the upper floor for a sexual encounter.
He had to heave me right across his shoulder
He had to carry me over his shoulder because of my drunken state.
โCause I just canโt seem to drink you off my mind
Because I am still thinking of you despite drinking.
I'm the honky tonk woman
I am a woman who enjoys the honky tonk lifestyle.
Gimme, gimme, gimme a honky tonk man
I want a man who can match my honky tonk ways.
I laid a VIP in New York City,
I had a sexual encounter with a very important person in New York City.
But I had to put myself out of some kind of a fight
But I got into some sort of altercation and had to defend myself.
Then later the man covered me with roses
Later, the man showed his affection for me by covering me with roses.
He blew my nose and then he blew my mind
He took care of me when I was ill and then overwhelmed me with his love.
Yeah, I'm a honky tonk woman
Yes, I am a woman who enjoys the honky tonk lifestyle.
Gimme, gimme, gimme a honky tonk man
I want a man who can match my honky tonk ways.
Lyrics ยฉ Abkco Music, Inc.
Written by: KEITH RICHARDS, MICK JAGGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SabrinaSmiley
Rest in power, Queen Tina! You showed us how to be honky tonk women๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ What a remarkable life you lived๐๐พโฅ๏ธ๐๐พ Fearless, risk taker, and pioneer!!!
@garyschneider8829
Well said Ms Sabrina ! I would have loved seeing
Tina Turner and Janis Joplin
Mixing it up together with a duet๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ป๐ป
@pairrynwatson4229
@@garyschneider8829 ๐ค They did do something together at a club in California in the early 60s, u might be able to Google it up. I don't remember what they sung, but Janis had on a Big White Furry Hat that looked like a lamp shade. Rhonda Gramm, Tina's assistant/road mgr took a picture of them on stage๐ค๐ถ๐
@samuelgates5935
Tina Turner the original QUEEN OF ROCK!!!
@themegaislandman
Facts brotha! There was no rock n roll queen before her. Tina's vocals are second-to-none.
She covered most genres of modern music. Rock, funk, pop, soul, jazz, blues, gospel. Highly versatile. Viva Tina!
@daniellamantia7324
LUV ya Tina Turner God bless you sweetie ๐
@BIZARBIES
The Greatest Of All Time.
@Sincopare
Awe Tina, going to miss you. This performance made me fall for you when it ran on MTV closet classics in the early 80s. The band's on fire and your singing, dancing and swagger set the air on fire. Unforgettable.
@Raving
A young Tina Turner. What a goddess! The energy she brings. It's primal, visceral even.
@hellochannel6344
She was 31 at that time.