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.
I Heard the Jukebox Playing
Kitty Wells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a baby on your knee
But here I sat with him in my arms
An' you're slippin' around on me
You thought that you were being wise
When you called me on the phone
An' you said that you had been delayed
I knew that you'd been cheatin'
'Cause you stayed away so long
And I heard the jukebox playing
When you called me on the phone
That couldn't have been the radio
'Cause it had that honky tonk sound
An' the same old song kept comin' an' a goin'
And the beat kept shufflin' around
When I heard the people laughing
I knew there must be somethin' wrong
For it was much too late to be delayed
For I could see the break of dawn
I knew that you'd been cheatin'
'Cause you stayed away so long
And I heard the jukebox playing
When you called me on the phone
The lyrics to Kitty Wells's classic country song, "I Heard The Juke Box Playing," tell the story of a woman who suspects her partner is cheating on her. The first verse reveals that the partner had expressed a desire to have a baby with the woman, but now the woman is left holding a baby while the partner is out "slippin' around" with someone else. The second verse suggests that the cheating partner is attempting to cover up their indiscretion by calling and saying they've been delayed, but the woman can tell by the sound of the jukebox in the background that they are actually at a honky tonk.
The chorus repeats the idea that the woman knows her partner is cheating because of the sound of the jukebox playing, which she says couldn't have been a radio because it had a distinct honky tonk sound. The bridge of the song describes the irony of the situation: while the partner is out playing, the woman can hear people laughing in the background of the call and knows that it's much too late for them to be delayed. The final chorus repeats the idea that the woman knows her partner is cheating because of the sound of the jukebox playing, adding emphasis to the betrayal and deception.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Heard The Juke Box Playing" use simple language and a straightforward narrative to create a picture of heartbreak and infidelity. The honky tonk imagery adds to the sense of authenticity and emotional resonance, making it a beloved classic of the country music canon.
Line by Line Meaning
You said that you'd be happy
You made a promise that having a baby with me would make you content
With a baby on your knee
You implied that having a child would satisfy your desires
But here I sat with him in my arms
I am holding our baby, while you are away from home
An' you're slippin' around on me
You are cheating on me, while I am taking care of our child
You thought that you were being wise
You believed you were clever when you called me on the phone
When you called me on the phone
You contacted me through a phone call
An' you said that you had been delayed
You gave an excuse of being held up
But you'd soon be comin' home
You assured me of your return
I knew that you'd been cheatin'
I was sure that you were having an affair
'Cause you stayed away so long
You were gone for much longer than necessary
And I heard the jukebox playing
I heard music from the jukebox
That couldn't have been the radio
I knew it wasn't the radio
'Cause it had that honky tonk sound
The music playing had a specific honky-tonk style
An' the same old song kept comin' an' a goin'
The same tune repeated again and again
And the beat kept shufflin' around
The rhythm changed continuously
When I heard the people laughing
I heard laughter from the background
I knew there must be somethin' wrong
I had a suspicion of your infidelity
For it was much too late to be delayed
You were very late and couldn't have been delayed
For I could see the break of dawn
It was already daybreak, and you were yet to come home
And I heard the jukebox playing
The jukebox music was still there
When you called me on the phone
Even though you called again, I was sure of your treachery
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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Jillian Delorme
I was born in 1950 and I will always remember listening to radio and hearing her songs and she was my love right from then on...the best country artist I've ever heard, a world of her very own, no-one will ever place her. God Rest your beautiful soul Kitty.
Dee Sweat
I agree...she paved the way for all those who followed. Her voice and her music are timeless
Robert Bondar
To me Miss Kitty Wells is the Queen of country music, She has a voice and a style unique to what was REAL Country musi, thak you for Posting Her music.
Hannah Glidden
I love Kitty Wells songs, she was my idol
Patricia Robinson
gone but not forgotten,i was raised on her music as a young child.my mom loved her...now they are both are in heaven together.R.I.P MRS KITTY
karen yochim
Never knew about this song. LOVE it. Thank you for posting.
Keith Douglas
Love these early Kitty Wells recordings.She was the first gal singer I ever heard in Country Music.I personally rate her 3rd all-time.Thanks for a Great Country upload.
CountrynIrish
Wonderful Song ! Love it ! Some great playing on this, and she sings it beautifully ! Excellent Upload ! Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic song ! 5*****+
raymond dougan
No matter what Kitty sings I will like it!
Emory King
I was priviledged to grow-up and attend school in the same east of Nashville community that she called home. in passing I would like to thank her and her family and performer friends for the times they performed to benefit our school and community. RIP graciouse lady.
Emory king, AKA red, MHS 58