Wells' success in the 1950s and 1960s was so enormous that she still ranks as the sixth most successful female vocalist in the history of the Billboard country charts according to historian Joel Whitburn's book "The Top 40 Country Hits", behind Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, and Tanya Tucker. Wells was the third country music artist, behind Roy Acuff and Hank Williams, to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991 as well as being the seventh woman and first Caucasian woman to receive the honor. In 1976, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Hey Joe
Kitty Wells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where'd ya find that pearly girlie
Where'd ya get that jolly dolly
How did ya rate that dish I wish was mine
Hey Joe!
She's got skin that's creamy dreamy
Eyes that look so lovey-dovey
Now listen Joe, I ain't no heel
But oh buddy let me tell you how I feel
She's a honey, she's a sugar pie
I'm warnin' you I'm gonna try to steal her from you
Hey Joe!
Though we've been the best of friends
This is where that friendship ends
I gotta have that dolly for my own.
(Hey Joe!)
(Hey Joe!)
Hey Joe!
Come on let's be buddy buddies
Show me you're my palsy-walsy
Introduce that pretty little chick to me
Hey Joe!
Quit that waitin', hesitatin'
Let me at 'er, what's the matter
You're as slow as any Joe can be
Now come on Joe let's make a deal
Let me dance with her to see if she is real
She's the cutest girl I've ever seen
An' I tell ya face to face I mean to steal her from you
Hey Joe!
We'll be friends until the end
But this looks like the end my friend
I gotta have that dolly for my own
I've gotta have that dolly for my own
(Hey Joe, Hey Joe)
The song Hey Joe by Kitty Wells is a playful and upbeat tune about the desire for another man's girl. Wells sings of her admiration for the girl, praising her beauty from her creamy dreamy skin to her cherry berry wine lips. She then turns her attention to her friend Joe, who is the current boyfriend of the girl she desires. Despite their friendship, Wells makes it clear that she intends to steal the girl from Joe, urging him to introduce her to the girl and let her have a chance to dance with her. She warns Joe that their friendship may end if he doesn't comply, but she still acknowledges that they will be friends until the end.
Throughout the song, Wells uses slang and colloquialisms common in early rock and roll to create a playful and lighthearted tone. The use of repetition in the phrase "Hey Joe!" reinforces the playful nature of the song and creates a sense of urgency in the singer's desire for the girl. Additionally, the use of rhyming in the chorus and the verses adds to the overall catchiness of the song.
Overall, Hey Joe is a playful and fun song about a woman's desire for another man's girl. While the theme may be controversial or inappropriate by today's standards, the song serves as a reflection of the societal norms and values of the time it was written and recorded.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe!
Addressing Joe, the singer is curious about his girl and wants to know more about her
Where'd ya find that pearly girlie
Asking Joe where he discovered such an attractive girl
Where'd ya get that jolly dolly
Enquiring Joe about how he got such a happy-go-lucky girl
How did ya rate that dish I wish was mine
Asking Joe how well he scored the desirable girl that the singer wishes to possess
She's got skin that's creamy dreamy
The girl has supple, velvety skin
Eyes that look so lovey-dovey
The girl has deep, loving eyes
Lips as red as cherry berry wine
The girl has attractive, red lips
Now listen Joe, I ain't no heel
The singer assures Joe that he is not being deceitful
But oh buddy let me tell you how I feel
The singer urges Joe to hear his honest feelings
She's a honey, she's a sugar pie
The girl is sweet and adorable
I'm warnin' you I'm gonna try to steal her from you
The singer gives a heads up to Joe that he intends to take the girl
Though we've been the best of friends
The singer concedes that he and Joe have been good pals
This is where that friendship ends
The singer asserts that their camaraderie will come to an end due to his desire for the girl
I gotta have that dolly for my own.
The singer reiterates his undying urge to claim the girl
(Hey Joe!)
Calling out to Joe again
(Hey Joe!)
Repeating the callout to Joe
Come on let's be buddy buddies
The singer suggests that he and Joe patch up their differences and act friendly
Show me you're my palsy-walsy
The singer wants Joe to prove that they are close pals
Introduce that pretty little chick to me
Asking Joe to introduce the girl to him
Quit that waitin', hesitatin'
Encouraging Joe to stop delaying and act quickly
Let me at 'er, what's the matter
The singer urges Joe to let him have some time with the girl and questions why Joe hesitates
You're as slow as any Joe can be
The singer complains that Joe is being slow and lazy
Now come on Joe let's make a deal
The singer proposes Joe a bargain
Let me dance with her to see if she is real
Asking Joe to let him dance with the girl to make sure she likes him too
She's the cutest girl I've ever seen
The girl is the prettiest the singer has ever seen
An' I tell ya face to face I mean to steal her from you
Reintroducing his plan to snatch the girl away from Joe
We'll be friends until the end
The singer assures Joe of their friendship
But this looks like the end my friend
The singer suggests their friendship may falter due to his desire for the girl
I gotta have that dolly for my own
The singer reiterates his determination to claim the girl
I've gotta have that dolly for my own
Repeating his obsession with the girl
(Hey Joe, Hey Joe)
Calling out to Joe twice to reaffirm his love for the girl
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Billy Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Kairn3
Nice find
@Kairn3
Thank you err 😘
@ErinRRyan-iq6nk
@Joe Kairn 😘
@weeyin1155
I've not heard this one Markus. Great. God Bless you. ♥
@olegooduns
Joan Cuthill Jan, now you have. LOL!!! I think Carl Smith had a huge hit with this one.
@userjos
@Marcus Brazil yes he did