Lawsuit
In 1999, the song was part of a lawsuit when another songwriter named Everett Ellis attempted to sue the writers of "Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox", as he thought that the song infringed on a copyright to his own composition, "Lay Me Out by the Jukebox When I Die"
Chart positions
"Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)" debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of July 24, 1993.
Chart (1993) Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks: 3
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100: 22
Canadian RPM Country Tracks: 2
Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox
Joe Diffie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna go on being me once my eulogy's been read
Don't spread my ashes out to sea, don't lay me down to rest
You can put my mind at ease if you fill my last request
Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die
Lord, I wanna go to heaven, but I don't wanna go tonight
Fill my boots up with sand, put a stiff drink in my hand
Just let my headstone be a neon sign
Just let it burn in memory of all of my good times
Fix me up with a mannequin, just remember, I like blondes
I'll be the life of the party, even when I'm dead and gone
Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die
Lord, I wanna go to heaven, but I don't wanna go tonight
Fill my boots up with sand, put a stiff drink in my hand
Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die, oh
Just make your next selection, and while you're still in line
You can pay your last respects one quarter at a time
Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die
Lord, I wanna go to heaven, but I don't wanna go tonight
Fill my boots up with sand, put a stiff drink in my hand
Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die
Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die
Lord, I wanna go to heaven, but I don't wanna go tonight
Fill my boots up with sand, put a stiff drink in my hand
Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die
Lord, prop me up beside the jukebox if I die
The lyrics to Joe Diffie's song Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox are a humorous take on death and the afterlife. The first stanza talks about the fear of being dead, rather than the fear of dying. The singer expresses his desire to continue existing as himself, even after death. He then goes on to make some unconventional requests for his last rites. He wants to be propped up beside a jukebox with a stiff drink in his hand and his boots filled with sand. He also wants his headstone to be a neon sign, and to be fixed up with a mannequin. The chorus repeats this request to be propped up beside the jukebox if he dies, with some variations.
The song seems to be a tongue-in-cheek way of dealing with the inevitability of death. By making light of it and embracing the absurdity of some of the funeral traditions, the singer is challenging the usual solemnity of the occasion. He's also expressing his desire to be remembered as a fun-loving, life-of-the-party kind of person, even after he's gone. The final lines about paying last respects one quarter at a time suggests that this could also be a commentary on the commercialization of death and funeral services.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I ain't afraid of dyin', it's the thought of being dead
I'm not scared of the actual process of dying, rather it's the idea of no longer existing that frightens me.
I wanna go on being me once my eulogy's been read
I want to be remembered as myself and for the life that I lived.
Don't spread my ashes out to sea, don't lay me down to rest
I don't want to be scattered away or buried traditionally after I pass.
You can put my mind at ease if you fill my last request
If you fulfill my final wishes, it will bring me peace in the afterlife.
Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die
When I pass, I want to be propped up beside a jukebox as a reminder of my love for music and good times.
Lord, I wanna go to heaven, but I don't wanna go tonight
While I hope to end up in heaven after passing away, I'm not ready to go just yet.
Fill my boots up with sand, put a stiff drink in my hand
As a final tribute to me, place sand in my boots and a drink in my hand to symbolize my love for partying and good times.
Just let my headstone be a neon sign
Instead of a traditional headstone, let my memory live on through a neon sign as a reminder of my life and love for bright colors.
Just let it burn in memory of all of my good times
Allow that neon sign to keep shining as a testament to all the good memories and fun times I had in life.
Fix me up with a mannequin, just remember, I like blondes
As a lighthearted request, dress up a mannequin to look like me and make sure its hair is blonde like mine, to reflect my love for humor and making the best of life.
I'll be the life of the party, even when I'm dead and gone
Even after I'm gone, let it be known that my spirit and energy will always be present and celebrated in memories of my life and the good times I had.
Just make your next selection, and while you're still in line
As a final lighthearted note, when you're at the jukebox next, keep me in mind and remember our shared love for music and fun times.
You can pay your last respects one quarter at a time
To honor me and my life, you can pay tribute to my memory with the music and good times I loved, one quarter at a time and in your own way.
Lord, prop me up beside the jukebox if I die
One final reminder of my request to be laid to rest next to a jukebox, surrounded by the music and memories I loved so much.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Howard Perdew, Kerry Kurt Phillips, Rick Blaylock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ccounahan1170
Who's here paying their last respects, one quarter at a time?
Today we propped Joe Diffie up beside the jukebox. R.I.P to another 90's country legend
@sergioomar9090
Absolutely! this song has never made me feel this sad.
@matta4852
R.I.P to another good ol boy gone way too soon. We’ll definitely miss you. We’re bringin back that ol jukebox
@mike1156
90s country is the best country. Rest easy Joe Diffie.
@peacesupreme
RIP Joe. You got your wish. Peace and Love to your loves and friends. Immortalized on the E-Jukebox
@heathwilliams4140
Dang this hit me hard, a lot of good memories on dirt roads with my wife and Joe on the radio
@dannywestbrooks7207
We're gathered here today to mourn the loss of Diffie, a country legend. R.I.P Joe, keep tearing it up in Heaven.
@theresagrove5170
A legend that will be deeply missed
@reginapirtle8582
Well said Danny I love his music
@charlieirvin5423
Amen brother Joe we will miss you .