Shortly after high school, in 1970, with fellow Lubbock musicians Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, he formed The Flatlanders. According to Ely, "Jimmie was like a well of country music. He knew everything about it. And Butch was from the folk world. I was kinda the rock & roll guy, and we almost had a triad. We hit it off and started playing a lot together. That opened up a whole new world I had never known existed." In 1972, the band released their first and— until 2002's Now Again— only album, but have appeared together on each other's albums. Since the band's initial break-up just after their album was cut, the three musicians have followed individual paths.
Ely's own first album, self titled, was released in 1977. The following year, his band played London where he met punk rock group The Clash. Impressed with each other's performances, the two bands would later tour together, including appearances in Ely's hometown of Lubbock, as well as Laredo and Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, across the border from El Paso, Texas.
Since then, a steady stream of albums have followed, most on the MCA label. Ely's live performances have become legendary, and he has released a live album roughly every ten years (the last was Live at Antone's in 2000). He has had a genre-crossing career, performing with Bruce Springsteen, Los Super Seven, David Grissom, and James McMurtry in addition to his early work with The Clash and more recent acoustic tours with Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, and Guy Clark.
In the late 1990s, Ely was asked to write songs for Robert Redford's movie The Horse Whisperer, which led to reforming The Flatlanders with Gilmore and Hancock for an appearance on the movie soundtrack. A new album from the trio followed in 2002, with a third in 2004.
In February 2007, Ely released "Happy Songs From Rattlesnake Gulch" on his own label, Rack 'Em Records. A book of Ely's writings was published in early 2007 by the University of Texas Press. Ely also released a second album of old lyrics that he has finally recorded.
Several other reissues of Ely's previous work were due out later in 2007 on Rack 'Em.
Honky Tonk Masquerade
Joe Ely Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
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.
The song "Honky Tonk Masquerade" by Joe Ely is about seeing through someone's facade in a honky-tonk bar. The singer is speaking to a woman who is trying to hide who she really is, but the singer knows her true nature even though she is wearing a disguise. The woman seems surprised that the singer can see through her disguise, but the singer knew all along. The woman's friends are there, but they are not paying attention to what is happening. The singer tries to convince the woman to leave the bar with him, but she is not alone and refuses. The song ends with the lights turning off in the bar, and the singer walking away from the woman.
The lyrics are a commentary on the honky-tonk lifestyle, where people go to drink and forget their problems. The singer knows that the woman is trying to hide her true self and escape reality by going to the bar. However, the singer sees through her disguise and knows that she is not as happy as she is pretending to be. The song is a warning to people that hiding behind a mask will not solve their problems.
Overall, "Honky Tonk Masquerade" is a powerful song that speaks to the struggles that people deal with in life. While the honky-tonk lifestyle may provide a temporary escape, it is ultimately not a solution to life's problems.
Line by Line Meaning
You sure look fine tonight, in the beer sign light.
You appear attractive as the neon light reflects on you.
Why did you seem surprised when I saw through your disguise.
Why were you taken aback that I could detect your deception?
All your friends were there and no one had a care.
Your acquaintances were present, oblivious to what you’re up to.
They all just looked away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.
In this Honky Tonk Masquerade, everyone is pretending and ignoring the reality.
You should have known I knew all along.
You should have been aware that I had seen your true colors from the start.
That I could see through you right or wrong.
That I had the ability to see the real you, regardless of whether it was correct or not.
I didn't need a clue.
I didn't require any indication or evidence.
I didn't even have to ask,
I didn't even have to question you about your true intentions.
You saw your own reflection in the glass.
You caught sight of yourself in the mirror, thereby exposing your hidden self.
I'd like to see you home, but I know you're not alone
I'd like to accompany you back, but I recognize that you're not unaccompanied.
You seem to fit right in, as you tell me where you've been
You are assimilating flawlessly, and yet you tell me about your whereabouts.
You say there's not that much to tell but I know you oh too well
You claim that there isn't much to discuss, but I am well-versed with your lies.
Your eyes give you away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.
Your eyes reveal your true intentions in the midst of this Honky Tonk Masquerade.
You sure look fine tonight, they're turning out the lights
You still appear exquisite as the lights dim and fade.
Why did you hold my sleeve when I said I had to leave
Why did you clutch my arm as I declared that I must depart?
I hoped it never showed, but that's the way it goes.
I desired that my feelings wouldn't display, but that's just how things go.
As the lights begin to fade on this Honky Tonk Masquerade.
As the lights fade in this Honky Tonk Masquerade, the fake facades and illusions disappear as well.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOE ELY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind