Gilbert composes music in a wide variety of styles including pop, rock, metal, blues, jazz, funk and classical, but is perhaps best known for his versatility and speed. His guitar work is characterised by his floating right hand contrary to the more common anchored right hand that guitarists like Pink Floyd's David Gilmour favour. He is also considered to be one of the best proponents of alternate picking.
Paul once had his own column in British guitar magazine, Total Guitar. He is sometimes a guest lecturer at the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) that he once attended, along with Gary Hoey and many other guitar players. He works a great deal with GIT's division in Japan, where he lived for a time before relocating to Los Angeles, CA.
Hey Joe
Paul Gilbert 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 lyrics to "Hey Joe" by Paul Gilbert appear to be a first-person narrative told from the perspective of a man named Joe. The lyrics detail how the singer of the song, Joe, is going down to shoot his old lady who he caught messing around with another man. The lyrics are explicit in terms of Joe's intentions, and he is not concerned with the consequences of his actions. Additionally, it is mentioned that Joe shot his mother down, and there appears to be a sense of aggression and violence to his character. The lyrics end with Joe saying that he is going way down south where he can be free, and nobody can find him. The song ends with Joe saying goodbye to everybody.
The lyrics of the song could be interpreted in numerous ways. On the surface, it appears to be a story of a man driven to commit an extreme act of violence against his partner. However, the song could also be seen as a commentary on the fragility of relationships and trust. The lyrics are presented in a matter-of-fact way, and there is no clear indication of whether Joe sees his actions as justifiable or not. The final lines of the song suggest that Joe is looking for a way to escape from his problems and start over again.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your hand
Asking Joe where he is heading with a gun in his hand.
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
Repeating the question, asking Joe about his intention with the gun.
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Joe is going to shoot his partner because he caught her cheating.
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Joe caught his partner cheating with someone else.
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Joe is determined to kill his partner for betraying him.
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Joe is emphasizing that his partner cheated on him, leading to his decision to murder her.
Huh! and that ain't cool
Joe is angry and disappointed by his partner's infidelity.
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mama down
People are gossiping about Joe and the murder of his mother.
You shot her down now
Reinforcing that he indeed killed his mother.
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
People are now talking about Joe's recent crime - the murder of his partner.
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
Clarifying that Joe killed his partner and buried her in the ground.
Yes, I did, I shot her
Admitting to the crime - Joe shot his partner.
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
Reiterating Joe's discovery of his partner cheating.
Huh, yes I did I shot her
Joe is remorseless and unapologetic about killing his partner.
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
Joe's partner had been unfaithful and running around town.
And I gave her the gun
Joe is boasting about giving his partner the weapon that led to her death.
And I shot her
Joe shot his partner with the gun he provided.
Hey Joe, Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Joe must now flee - people are after him for what he has done.
Hey Joe, I said Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Repeating the question while emphasizing that Joe has nowhere to go.
I'm goin' way down south
Joe is headed to Mexico to escape the law.
Way down to Mexico way
Further emphasizing that he seeks refuge in Mexico.
I'm goin' way down south
Joe is escaping to a place where he can live free, without worries.
Way down where I can be free
Joe wants to escape the consequences of his actions and start anew in a free place.
Ain't no one gonna find me
Joe is confident that he cannot be caught or tracked down in his new place of refuge.
Ain't no hang-man gonna He ain't gonna put a rope around me
Joe will not be captured or penalized for his wrongdoings - he's escaped to a place where the law can't get to him.
You better believe it right now
Joe is trying to convince himself that everything will be okay and that he's made the right choice escaping to Mexico.
I gotta go now
Joe must leave immediately to avoid being caught and facing the consequences of his actions.
Hey, Joe
A final call to Joe as he departs, wishing him good luck in his escape.
You better run on down
Encouraging Joe to leave before it's too late.
Goodbye everybody
Joe can no longer stay and must say his goodbyes as he flees in isolation.
Hey hey Joe
A final farewell to Joe as he embarks on a journey of isolation and escape.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Boris G.
I love how he, in the solo parts, manages to use a perfect variation of arpeggiated licks and blues licks :)
Roald Hoffmann
+Boris Grunwald I like how every sound he makes with his guitar is perfect!
Elephant31200
Excellent version with superb guitar work.
Omer Can Dogrul
He has the feeling!
Claudio Saez
Inolvidable
LM0
great!
Melissa Rozema
Best cover I've heard
Sebastián Andrés Soto Salas
En serio, nada podrá borrar tan lindo recuerdo. Ver a Gilbert en ese ambiente tan cercano fue una de las cosas más geniales de mi vida. En serio, no estoy poniéndole color, es verdad, fue algo de otro mundo. Y si bien fue corta su presentación por razones que todos saben, él aun hizo un show de primera. Grande Pablo Gilberto.
PS: Da lo mismo que no haya tocado Technical Difficulties, ese día la pusieron como mil veces antes del show.
Francia Salinas
Lo pasamos increíble... Para el recuerdo :)
R.M
He should sing more often