Gilmore is a native of the Texas Panhandle, having been born in Amarillo, T… Read Full Bio ↴Gilmore is a native of the Texas Panhandle, having been born in Amarillo, Texas and raised in Lubbock, Texas. His earliest musical influence was Hank Williams and the honky tonk brand of country music that his father played. In the 1950s, he was exposed to the emerging rock and roll of other Texans such as Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Lubbock native Buddy Holly. He was profoundly influenced in the 1960s by the likes of The Beatles and Bob Dylan and the folk music and blues revival in that decade.

Gilmore also played "Smokey" in The Big Lebowski

Honky Tonk Masquerade
Jimmie Dale Gilmore Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You sure look fine tonight, in the beer sign light.
Why did you seem surprised when I saw through your disguise.
All your friends were there and no one had a care.
They all just looked away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.

You should have known I knew all along.
That I could see through you right or wrong.
I didn't need a clue.

I didn't even have to ask,
You saw your own reflection in the glass.

I'd like to see you home, but I know you're not alone
You seem to fit right in, as you tell me where you've been
You say there's not that much to tell but I know you oh too well
Your eyes give you away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.

You should have known I knew all along.
That I could see through you right or wrong.
I didn't need a clue.
I didn't even have to ask,
You saw your own reflection in the glass.

You sure look fine tonight, they're turning out the lights
Why did you hold my sleeve when I said I had to leave

I hoped it never showed, but that's the way it goes.
As the lights begin to fade on this Honky Tonk Masquerade.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jimmie Dale Gilmore's song, Honky Tonk Masquerade, speak to the experiences of someone who has been cheated on. A person walks into a honky-tonk bar where their significant other is present. While everyone is happy and carefree, the singer sees through their lover's disguise and understands that they have been unfaithful. Nonetheless, they go through the motions of the night, talking to the person who has betrayed them while realizing that their love interest fits right in with the honky-tonk lifestyle. As closing time nears, the singer must leave, and the person they love holds their sleeve, hoping to make them stay. However, the singer knows that they must move on from the masquerade of the honky-tonk and the illusions of their relationship.

The lyrics conjure up the picture of a sad situation, where a person must come to terms with their lover's infidelity. The song's melancholy tone works to emphasize the betrayal and the realization that the relationship is over. The last verse is particularly poignant as it shows the singer leaving the honky-tonk and the memories associated with their previous love. It is a clear break from that life, and the person they can no longer continue to have in their life.

Line by Line Meaning

You sure look fine tonight, in the beer sign light.
You appear attractive tonight, especially in the dim lighting of this honky tonk bar.

Why did you seem surprised when I saw through your disguise.
I noticed that you were clearly pretending to be someone different tonight and wondered why you acted surprised when I figured it out.

All your friends were there and no one had a care.
Everyone you knew was here tonight and no one seemed to be worried about anything.

They all just looked away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.
Despite the fake appearance and bravado that everyone was showing tonight, there was an underlying sense that no one was truly proud of what was happening here.

You should have known I knew all along.
You should have realized that I could see through your act from the beginning.

That I could see through you right or wrong.
I was able to see past the façade you were putting on, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

I didn't need a clue.
I didn't require any indication or hint to know what was really going on with you tonight.

I didn't even have to ask,
I didn't need to inquire or probe to find out what was really going on with you.

You saw your own reflection in the glass.
You inadvertently revealed your true self to me by the way you looked at yourself in the mirror behind the bar.

I'd like to see you home, but I know you're not alone.
I would like to accompany you back to your residence, but I am aware that you have someone else with you tonight.

You seem to fit right in, as you tell me where you've been.
You appear to have blended in with the crowd here, even as you recount where you've been recently.

You say there's not that much to tell but I know you oh too well.
Even though you claim that you don't have much to say, I am familiar enough with you to know that you are hiding something from me.

Your eyes give you away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.
Your eyes are a clear tell of your true emotions in this environment of hidden identities and false appearances.

You sure look fine tonight, they're turning out the lights.
As the night comes to a close and the lights are being extinguished, you continue to look good.

Why did you hold my sleeve when I said I had to leave.
I was perplexed as to why you grabbed onto my sleeve when I told you that I had to exit the bar.

I hoped it never showed, but that's the way it goes.
I had hoped that my true feelings weren't obvious to you, but sometimes things don't go as planned.

As the lights begin to fade on this Honky Tonk Masquerade.
As the night comes to a close and the lights are being extinguished, the true nature of this environment becomes even more clear.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOE ELY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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