In many of her songs, she incorporates humor into a narrative, some tracks ultimately becoming catchy anecdotes. Generally, her songs are unconventionally folk-like, using horn arrangements not found in tracks recorded by mainstream artists. Sobule also uses both satire and experience to sing about sexuality, depression, war, abandonment, and creed.
Joey
Jill Sobule Lyrics
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Joey was the IT girl at just fifteen
She had short blonde hair that was slightly teased
She made the older men sweat when she dance on TV
Doing the frug, doing the monkey
Joey got a start in the night club scene
Even though she studied ballet under Valenschein
Doing the Jerk and the Watusi
Joey
Joey had a spot on Dean Martin's Show
She even went to show in a USO
She fell in love with a famous football rogue
They liked to Jerk, they like to monkey
All she ever wanted was your love and respect (she ever)
Isn't that the same thing that we all want, Joey, Joey
I remember Joey in a mattress ad
I guess around this time is when things got bad
And her husband got arrested she look so sad
Doing the frug, doing the pony (yeah, yeah)
Yesterday in line at the A&P
I saw Joey on the back of star magazine
They said she's using again and she still won't be
She's got the Jerk, she's got the monkey
All she ever wanted was your love and respect (she ever)
You can stay at my place if you want to, Joey
Joey, Joey, Joey
The song "Joey" by Jill Sobule is a story about a young woman named Joey who was very successful at a young age as a dancer in the nightclub scene. She was known for her short blonde hair, talent, and style of dancing such as the frug, monkey, Jerk, and Watusi. She even got a spot on Dean Martin's Show and performed for the USO. Joey fell in love with a famous football player, but unfortunately, her life took a wrong turn when her husband was arrested. The music video shows Joey in various stages of her life, from starting her career to being on the cover of a tabloid.
The song is a commentary on the fleeting nature of fame and success and the pressures that come with it. Joey's downfall is attributed to her addiction, as stated in the lyrics "They said she's using again and she still won't be". The theme of love and respect is interwoven throughout the song, as Joey's ultimate desire was to be loved and respected. The repetition of her name at the end of the song highlights the fact that she is still remembered and loved despite her mistakes and shortcomings.
Line by Line Meaning
Joey, Joey,
Speaks to the person being addressed, Joey, with a sense of familiarity.
Joey was the IT girl at just fifteen
Joey was the popular girl when she was only fifteen years old.
She had short blonde hair that was slightly teased
She had blonde hair that was styled in a slightly undone manner.
She made the older men sweat when she dance on TV
Her dance moves made older men perspire when they saw her on TV.
Doing the frug, doing the monkey
She was dancing the popular dance of the time.
Joey got a start in the night club scene
Joey's career began in the nightclubs.
Even though she studied ballet under Valenschein
Despite learning ballet from Valenschein,
She could take a swan dive if you know what I mean
She was flexible and could perform a dive gracefully.
Doing the Jerk and the Watusi
She mastered a couple of other popular dances of the time
Joey had a spot on Dean Martin's Show
Joey got a segment on Dean Martin's Show.
She even went to show in a USO
She performed for the United Service Organizations.
She fell in love with a famous football rogue
She became romantically involved with a well-known football player.
They liked to Jerk, they like to monkey
They enjoyed dancing Jerk and Monkey.
All she ever wanted was your love and respect (she ever)
All Joey ever craved was genuine love and respect from others.
Isn't that the same thing that we all want, Joey, Joey
The singer speaks to Joey and alludes to how everyone desires love and respect.
I remember Joey in a mattress ad
The artist reminisces how Joey was featured in a mattress advertisement.
I guess around this time is when things got bad
Around this period was when things took a turn for the worse for Joey.
And her husband got arrested she look so sad
Joey appeared unhappy when her partner was incarcerated.
Doing the frug, doing the pony (yeah, yeah)
Joey continued to dance despite her woes.
Yesterday in line at the A&P
The artist bumped into Joey while waiting in line at the A&P store.
I saw Joey on the back of star magazine
Joey was on the cover of Star magazine.
They said she's using again and she still won't be
Sources claimed that she resumed her unhealthy habits, and she won't get better.
She's got the Jerk, she's got the monkey
She continued to enjoy dancing despite her woes.
All she ever wanted was your love and respect (she ever)
All Joey ever craved was genuine love and respect from others.
You can stay at my place if you want to, Joey
The singer offers Joey a place to stay.
Joey, Joey, Joey
The singer addresses Joey one final time with familiarity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GRACE POTTER, MATTHEW P BURR, SCOTT TOURNET, BRYAN DONDERO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind