After signing a developmental deal with Mercury Records in 2003, he toured over half the country with his band "The Saloonitics" and has penned songs for Neal McCoy, Julie Roberts, Jamey Johnson, John Anderson, and Garth Brooks. He scored his first No.1 hit song with Garth Brooks in 2005 with "Good Ride Cowboy", a tribute to Chris LeDoux.
In 2010 he released the album Judge Jerrod & the Hung Jury, which debuted at No. 1 and yielded the No. 1 hit “Lover, Lover” and the Top 5 single “What Do You Want”. In 2012 he released sophomore album Free The Music, incorporating multiple genres including country, rock, honky-tonk, Dixieland jazz and reggae and co-produced by Dave Brainard.
Honky Tonk Fever
Jerrod Niemann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A full-time piece of work
At least that's what my daddy says
I guess that's what you get
When your boy's born with
That honky tonk fever
Hey jukebox play me the cure
Somewhere between Americana and rock and roll
I could lose a day or two with the hippies out west
Or my Cajuns in the bayou
A sunset on Mobile
With something funny in the air
We're sipping shine from Carolina stills
And It'd be gone again, oh well
At least I could pretend my sail
Ain't stuck in the wind
And this honky tonk fever would end
Country people and those down-home material girls
The kind you bring home to mama
Hot as Hollywood without the drama
Gimme, Gimme that honky tonk fever
Hey, little lady, tonight you're the cure
That is if you wanna be
It's going down like the whisky in Tennessee
I could lose a day or two hiding out in Texas
Anywhere the cowgirls do
Sunrise on Nashville, another music city rally
In the valley of the fiddle and steel
And It'd be gone again, oh well
At least I could pretend my sail
Ain't stuck out in the wind
And this honky tonk fever would end
Lord, I got that
Honky tonk fever,
Hey, bartender pour me the court
I'll buy a round if you got 'em
The cure for the honky tonk fever
Is at the bottom
In "Honky Tonk Fever," Jerrod Niemann sings about his love for country music and his passion for the lifestyle that accompanies it. The song begins by describing Niemann as a "small town dreamer" who is full of life and energy, even though his father dismisses him as a "full-time piece of work." Nonetheless, Niemann is content with his life because he was born with what he calls "that honky tonk fever." To Niemann, honky tonk fever is a passion for classic country music, and it's a feeling that's difficult to control.
Throughout the song, Niemann talks about different ways he could lose a day or two while indulging in his passion for country music. He sings about hanging out with hippies out west, drinking moonshine, and spending time with cowgirls in Texas. He describes his love for country people and "down-home material girls." To Niemann, these are the kinds of people he wants to spend his time with because they understand his passion for honky tonk music.
Overall, "Honky Tonk Fever" is a celebration of classic country music and the lifestyle that comes with it. The song speaks to the deep connection many people feel to this music genre, and it's likely to resonate with anyone who knows the feeling of being captivated by honky tonk music.
Line by Line Meaning
Small town dreamer
I am a person who dreams of a life beyond a small town
A full-time piece of work
I am always working, there is no reprieve
At least that's what my daddy says
My father is of the belief that hard work is good for the soul
I guess that's what you get
This is the life that I have been given
When your boy's born with
Because I was born with
That honky tonk fever
An insatiable appetite for honky tonk music and lifestyle
Hey jukebox play me the cure
Jukebox, play me a song that will cure my honky tonk fever for a moment
I'll feed you quarters if you feed my soul
I am willing to pay for the music that satisfies my soul
Somewhere between Americana and rock and roll
My musical interests lie between these two genres
I could lose a day or two with the hippies out west
I would enjoy spending some time with the hippies in the western United States
Or my Cajuns in the bayou
Alternatively, I would enjoy spending time with the Cajun people in the bayous of Louisiana
A sunset on Mobile
I can envision the beauty of a sunset in Mobile, Alabama
With something funny in the air
There is a certain indescribable energy in the air
We're sipping shine from Carolina stills
I am drinking moonshine made in North Carolina
And It'd be gone again, oh well
Unfortunately, the moment of satisfaction will not last
At least I could pretend my sail
I can deceive myself into thinking that my life is going somewhere
Ain't stuck in the wind
That I am making progress and not stagnating
And this honky tonk fever would end
If I could just find a way to feel satisfied, my obsession with honky tonk music and lifestyle would dissipate
Country people and those down-home material girls
I am attracted to genuine people and down-to-earth girls
The kind you bring home to mama
I am looking for a long-term relationship, someone who is worthy of meeting my mother
Hot as Hollywood without the drama
I want someone who is physically attractive but without the complications of a Hollywood relationship
Gimme, Gimme that honky tonk fever
I cannot resist my love for honky tonk music and lifestyle
Hey, little lady, tonight you're the cure
I am hoping that the girl I am with tonight can help me forget my obsession with honky tonk music and lifestyle
That is if you wanna be
Of course, the decision is up to her
It's going down like the whisky in Tennessee
My night is progressing like a typical night of drinking whiskey in Tennessee
I could lose a day or two hiding out in Texas
I know that I could find solace in Texas with its rich culture and music scene
Anywhere the cowgirls do
I am enthralled by the women who embody the lifestyle I love so much
Sunrise on Nashville, another music city rally
There is a certain magic to a sunrise in Nashville, where music is always in the air
In the valley of the fiddle and steel
In an area where country music's signature instruments are so prevalent
Lord, I got that Honky tonk fever,
I cannot deny the hold that honky tonk music and lifestyle has on me
Hey, bartender pour me the court
Bartender, give me a drink
I'll buy a round if you got 'em
I am willing to share my generosity
The cure for the honky tonk fever
An escape from the grip of honky tonk music and lifestyle
Is at the bottom
Can be found at the bottom of my drink
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JERROD NIEMANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind