Taylor's career in music performance and recording has taken a circuitous path. Born in Chicago 1948, and growing up in Denver after his family relocated there, he began listening to blues and folk-blues in his teens. Through Denver's Folklore Center, he began to play the blues. By 1977, though, he "retired" from music and had a successful antiques business. He returned to music when he was nearly 50, and having immersed himself in the history of the folklore of the blues, he traced the migration of both the blues and the banjo from its roots in Africa to its "birth" in the American south.
His music is uncompromising and fierce, and it walks the line of gritty and gorgeous well. He incorporates elements of the blues masters Johnson, Jefferson, McTell and others, but always makes the resulting music his own.
His return to performance and recording began in 1995, but it was his acceptance of a Sundance Festival composition fellowship in 2000 that sparked his emergence as a preeminent bluesman with When Negroes Walked The Earth. His song, 'Nasty Letter', plays over the credits at the end of the 2007 Mark Wahlberg film Shooter.
Hey Joe
Otis Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Huh! and that ain't cool
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mama down
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
Yeah!
Yes, I did, I shot her
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
Huh, yes I did I shot her
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
And I gave her the gun
And I shot her
Alright
Shoot her one more time again baby!
Yeah!
Oh dig it
Oh alright
Hey Joe,
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Hey Joe, I said
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
I'm goin' way down south
Way down to Mexico way
Alright
I'm goin' way down south
Way down where I can be free
Ain't no one gonna find me
Ain't no hang-man gonna
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
You better believe it right now
I gotta go now
Hey, Joe
You better run on down
Goodbye everybody
Hey hey Joe
The song "Hey Joe" by Otis Taylor is a blues song that tells the story of a man named Joe who is leaving town to escape a murder charge. In the first part of the song, Joe is seen carrying a gun and heading out to shoot his old lady, who he caught cheating on him with another man. The second part of the song reveals that Joe has already shot and killed his old lady and is now on the run.
The lyrics of the song are significant because they deal with the themes of jealousy, violence, and escape. It paints a picture of a man who is consumed by his emotions to the point that he is willing to take the life of his own partner. Moreover, the song also explores the theme of escape as Joe seeks out Mexico, where he believes he can be free from the consequences of his actions.
Overall, the song sheds light on the dark side of relationships and how easily they can fall apart when jealousy and anger take over.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your hand
Hey Joe, what's your plan by holding that gun in hand
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
Hey Joe, answer me, where you're going with that gun in your hand
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
I am going to kill my wife with this gun
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
I found my wife cheating on me with another guy
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Yes, I'm serious about killing my wife
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
I have proof that she's having an affair
Huh! and that ain't cool
Her infidelity is not acceptable
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mama down
I heard that you killed your mother
You shot her down now
You fired a shot at her and killed her
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
Hey Joe, I heard you killed your wife
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
You killed her and buried her in the ground
Yes, I did, I shot her
Yes, I really did kill her
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
I caught my wife having an affair in town
Huh, yes I did I shot her
Yes, I definitely shot and killed her
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
I have evidence that she was cheating on me around town
And I gave her the gun
I gave her the chance to kill me with the gun
And I shot her
I killed her before she could kill me
Hey Joe, Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Hey Joe, where will you run away to now
Hey Joe, I said Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Hey Joe, answer me, where do you plan to hide now
I'm goin' way down south Way down to Mexico way
I'm going to Mexico to escape from the law
I'm goin' way down south Way down where I can be free
I'm heading to a place where I can be free from the law
Ain't no one gonna find me Ain't no hang-man gonna He ain't gonna put a rope around me You better believe it right now
Nobody can catch me, and no one can hang me, believe me
Hey, Joe You better run on down Goodbye everybody Hey hey Joe
Hey Joe, run away quickly, goodbye everyone, farewell
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Billy Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gary Henning
I m 62 heard a lot of hey joe versions , this is by far the best ever . This band nailed it all the way to the last note.
5T3FF13 SRAD
Subjective but ok .. for ne it depends on my mood .. and i like roy buchanan japan version and tim rose long version
MrPoodleguy
@5T3FF13 SRAD: Ben Pooles rendition is great as well!❤
Craig Webster
The drum beat mimics Hendrix' shuffle style of playing. I'm stealing this 😁👍
Craig Webster
@MrPoodleguy Ben Poole is devoid of the all-important soul.
Adi Danciu
... endiend, are charming and unique this version.But, one thing is sure: when everyone listen for the first time...a song, remaining a profound Mark in the soul.That first emotion... will stay der in soul... forever.And, More than that: original is just ONE...😅❤😂
Eloya Wlliams
Amazing violin solo from Anne Harris! She's so talented! 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿💖💖💖
ruud verhoeff
❤indeed
Rene Jolicoeur
Very time I play this song ,for some reason my arm hair stands straight up.This is one of my favorite songs in my 65 yrs . THE YOUNG man on guitar is amazing.
mr clowntown57
What's wrong with your arm?