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.
Musta Notta Gotta Lotta
Joe Ely Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just musta notta gotta lotta sleep last night
I was high flyin' down Riverside Drive
Rockin' to the radio man alive
Stopped into a joint bought a round of booze
Hot dog I got a buzz in my shoe!
I just musta notta gotta lotta sleep last night
Writin' you a letter it's late in the night
Sittin' in a cafe eatin' a bite
Telln' you about where all I've been
Hot dog I'm gone again!
Please understand me everything's all right
I just musta notta gotta lotta sleep last night
Now there's two kind of people in this big 'ol town
There's the early to rise and the late to go down
I guess I oughta find a better way to stop the clock
Hot dog I like it a lot!
Please understand me everything's all right
I just musta notta gotta lotta sleep last night
Hot dog I like it a lot!
Please understand me everything's all right
I just musta notta gotta lotta sleep! last! night!
The lyrics to Joe Ely's song Musta Notta Gotta Lotta depict someone who is experiencing the aftermath of a sleepless night. The repeated refrain "Please understand me everything's all right" emphasizes the singer's desire for others to not worry about them despite their present state. The use of the slang term "hot dog" throughout the song suggests a sense of excitement and energy despite the lack of sleep. The first verse describes the singer driving down Riverside Drive and feeling alive while listening to the radio. They then go into a bar and have a drink, resulting in a feeling of being buzzed. The second verse finds the singer writing a letter late at night while sitting in a cafe. They describe their travels and wanderlust, indicating a restlessness that may have contributed to their lack of sleep. The final verse contrasts two types of people in the world: those who rise early and those who stay up late. The singer acknowledges that they may need to find a better way to manage their time, but ultimately expresses a positive attitude towards the lifestyle they've chosen.
Overall, Musta Notta Gotta Lotta can be interpreted as a celebration of living in the moment and enjoying life's experiences, even if it means sacrificing a good night's sleep. The lively tempo and upbeat tone of the song reinforce this message, as does the use of playful language and slang.
Line by Line Meaning
Please understand me everything's all right
I want you to know that I'm doing okay
I just musta notta gotta lotta sleep last night
I didn't get much sleep last night and that's why I might seem a little off
I was high flyin' down Riverside Drive
I was driving fast and feeling good
Rockin' to the radio man alive
I was listening to music and really enjoying it
Stopped into a joint bought a round of booze
I went to a bar and bought some drinks
Hot dog I got a buzz in my shoe!
I feel the alcohol kicking in and it feels great!
Writin' you a letter it's late in the night
I am writing you a letter but it's already very late
Sittin' in a cafe eatin' a bite
I am sitting in a cafe having a meal
Telln' you about where all I've been
I am telling you about all the places I've been to
Hot dog I'm gone again!
I'm always on the move and it feels exciting
Now there's two kind of people in this big 'ol town
There are two types of people in this town
There's the early to rise and the late to go down
People either wake up early or stay up late
I guess I oughta find a better way to stop the clock
I should find a way to slow down time
Hot dog I like it a lot!
I really enjoy my life the way it is
Please understand me everything's all right
I want you to know that I'm doing okay
I just musta notta gotta lotta sleep! last! night!
I didn't get much sleep last night and that's why I might seem a little off
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOE ELY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul McMath
This is probably the greatest Rock & Roll band ever >>>>>>>>>>
TheCrimsontwister
I saw them in1988 at Tipatina's in New Orleans and agree, they are the best.
Tee It Up Texas Golf
Awesome. Just the only words to describe this video and the excitement of seeing Joe and the boys live at Texas Oldest Dancehall - Gruene Hall. Rock this joint.
satexguy1
holy crap ~ I was there that night. Ely's flop sweat was literally all over us. Grissom at his peak, with amazing solos. This was pretty soon after Grissom came on to replace Jesse Taylor, I think. Thanks for uploading!!!!!!
TC Smith
Freaking awesome. Davis Mclarty on drums, too
Andrew Taylor
Giants still walk among us folks!
Please pay attention to Joe`s music.
How much fun does he have up there???
Holy smokes!!!
Nocturnal Madness
Hot Dog I like it a lot!
I first heard of Joe Ely in the 1980s when his name was brought to light by The Clash. Age and being a Northern city boy caused me to forget about him for a long while. Thanks, YouTube and JimmyDaCat for helping me to rediscover him.
TC Smith
Surprised, as a Northern city boy, you didn't see him playing in the subways in NYC. LOL yep, one of the greatest ever IMHO
Tunebuckettoo!
Joe & David at there peak . For a live show there was no one better then the Joe Ely Band . Wish they'd come around here (California) in that configuration again .
TC Smith
The late great Bobby Keys. Joe has always been an awesome performer but off stage he's quiet.