Hey Joe
Robert Plant. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey Joe where you goin' with that money in your hand
I'm goin' downtown, buy me a blue steel 44
I'm goin' downtown, buy me a blue steel 44
Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
I'm goin downtown find my baby she's been running with another man
Gonna find my woman she's been running with another man.
Hey Joe I heard you shot your lady down
Hey Joe I heard you shot your lady down
Yes I did I shot her just like I said
Yes I did I shot her just like I said
Hey Joe where you gonna run to now
Hey Joe where you gonna run to now
I'm goin' way down south
I'm goin' way down south where I can be free
Ain't no hangman
Ain't no hangman
Ain't' no hangman
Ain't no hangman puttin' no noose around me.
Hey Joe is a song about a man named Joe who is on the run after killing his woman because she was cheating on him with another man. He starts off by announcing that he is going downtown to buy himself a blue steel 44, indicating that he intends to harm someone. This is clearly a sign that Joe is angry, agitated, and seeking revenge. He then goes on to say that he is going to find his woman and the man she was running with. This shows that he is determined and willing to go to any length to seek justice.
Later in the song, Joe confesses to shooting his lady down just like he said he would. This implies that he is a man of his word and he would follow through with his threats. This confession also suggests that he is aware of the consequences of his actions, yet he chose to carry out the murder anyway. Finally, he announces that he is going to run away to the south where he can be free and no one can put a noose around him. This shows that Joe is aware of the consequences of his crime and is willing to run away to avoid the punishment.
Overall, the song Hey Joe is a story of a man seeking revenge for being betrayed by his lover. It is a story of anger, determination, and the consequences of actions. It portrays the sense of desperation and helplessness that an individual feels when they are pushed to the brink and are willing to do anything to seek justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe where you goin' with that money in your hand
Joe, where are you headed with that money in your hand?
I'm goin' downtown, buy me a blue steel 44
I'm heading to the city to purchase a powerful gun.
Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Joe, why are you carrying that gun with you?
I'm goin downtown find my baby she's been running with another man
I'm going to the city to find my woman who I suspect is having an affair.
Hey Joe I heard you shot your lady down
Joe, I've heard that you killed your girlfriend.
Yes I did I shot her just like I said
Yes, I did shoot her. It happened just as I told you.
Hey Joe where you gonna run to now
Joe, where do you plan to flee to now?
I'm goin' way down south where I can be free
I'm going to the deep south where I can escape and start anew.
Ain't no hangman
There is no executioner.
Ain't no hangman
There is no hangman.
Ain't' no hangman
There is simply no hangman.
Ain't no hangman puttin' no noose around me.
No hangman will be able to capture and execute me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Billy Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
brainsick213
Simply beautiful. Robert Plants voice is just beautiful.
Brian Wayson
Plant does an exceptional job with the vocals!!!!!!!!
Galileo Galilei
Que voz Dios mío, es sublime
Team Interrogation - OFICIAL
Man, bonzo es inconfundible cuando toca la bateria
piandey
quelle voix...quelle voix...quelle voix... superbe Plant!
Tony Kiley
Its the guitar solo that makes Hendrix's version so very very good..... so unbelievably good!
LordFlacko714
2:50 I almost cried of how beautiful Robert Plant voice is :))
Flossum Creations
Always gives me chills.Robert never sung with this kind of power with Led Zeppelin.
Baran
There is a passion in his singing
He Is Hephaestion
LedHead ever heard led zeppelin 1?