Hush
Royal Billy Joe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Na na na na...

There's a certan little girl
That's on my mind
Great gosh almighty
She looks so fine

She's the best girl

That I've ever had
But sometimes she sure

Makes me feel so bad

Na na na na...

Hush, hush
I thought I heard her
Calling my name now
Hush, hush
She broke my heart but
I love her just the same now

Hush, hush
I thought I heard her
Calling my name now
Hush, hush
I need her loving
And I'm not ashamed now

(Love, love)
Early in the morning
(Love, love)
Late in the midnight
(Love, love)
I want it and I need it now
(Love, love)
Got to, go to have it

She's got loving like quicksand
It only took one touch of her hand
She blew my mind and I'm in so deep
That I can't eat, y'all
And I can't sleep

Na na na na...

Hush, hush
I thought I heard her
Calling my name now
Hush, hush
She broke my heart but
I love her just the same now

Hush, hush
I thought I heard her
Calling my name now
Hush, hush
I need her loving
And I'm not ashamed now

(Love, love)
Early in the morning
(Love, love)
Late in the evening
(Love, love)
I want it and I need it, y'all
(Love, love)
Got to, got to have it

Hush, hush
I thought I heard her
Calling my name now
Hush, hush
She broke my heart but
I love her just the same now

Hush, hush
Didn't y'all hear her
Calling my name now
Hush, hush
I need her loving
And I'm not ashamed now

(Love, love)
Early in the morning
(Love, love)
Late in the evening
(Love, love)
I want it and I need it now
(Love, love)
Got to, got to have it

Love, love
Love, love....

Overall Meaning

The song "Hush" by Royal Billy Joe is about the singer's infatuation and love for a certain girl who he considers to be the best he's ever had. The lyrics suggest that the singer is deeply in love with this girl and cannot resist her charms despite the heartache she causes him at times. The verses are characterized by repeating "Na na na na" as a sort of nonsensical expression of excitement, and the chorus finds the singer telling himself to "hush" when he thinks he hears her calling his name, ultimately admitting that he needs her love and is not ashamed of it.

The na na na na part of the song is often used to create a fun and catchy melody that is easy for listeners to sing along to. It also adds an element of excitement to the song.

The overall tone of the song is somewhat light-hearted, but also suggests a certain melancholy or longing. Despite the fact that the girl in question causes him pain, the singer cannot help but love her deeply.

Overall, "Hush" is a simple but catchy song with a relatable theme of love and heartache.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a certan little girl That's on my mind Great gosh almighty She looks so fine
The singer is thinking about a girl who he thinks is very attractive.

She's the best girl That I've ever had But sometimes she sure Makes me feel so bad
The girl is the best that the singer has ever had, but there are times when the singer feels down because of their relationship.

Hush, hush I thought I heard her Calling my name now Hush, hush She broke my heart but I love her just the same now
The singer hears the girl calling his name, but their relationship is somewhat difficult because the girl broke the singer's heart.

Hush, hush I need her loving And I'm not ashamed now
Despite the difficulties in their relationship, the singer still wants and needs the girl's love and is not ashamed to admit it.

She's got loving like quicksand It only took one touch of her hand She blew my mind and I'm in so deep That I can't eat, y'all And I can't sleep
The girl's love is strong and overwhelming, and just one touch from her had an enormous impact on the singer so that he cannot think of anything else.

Love, love Early in the morning Love, love Late in the midnight Love, love I want it and I need it now Love, love Got to, go to have it
The singer wants and needs the girl's love early in the morning and late at night, and feels like he has to have it in order to be happy.

Hush, hush Didn't y'all hear her Calling my name now Hush, hush I need her loving And I'm not ashamed now
Once again, the singer hears the girl calling his name and he still wants and needs her love, without feeling ashamed to admit it.

Love, love Love, love....
The song ends with a repetition of the singer's feelings about needing the girl's love.

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Joe South

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@tommyandtammy1

14y↑159

i used to play bass guitar with this band. back in 1968. God bless.

@alexmorrison9156

Wow

@RJN0607

3y↑1

Did you also play with Joe South?

@malcolmforestchannel

3y↑1

Great work Tommy. The best!

@lisellesloan3191

3y↑1

With Barry Bailey from ARS?!

@tommyandtammy1

3y↑4

@RJN0607 No just with Billy Joe, but crossed paths a few times he sent me congratulations when I released my cd. Joe wrote some really good songs, nice guy.

16 More Replies...

@LarryZamba

1y↑5

This is really great. As it is more stripped down it has a different more immediate energy the Deep Purple. And Billy joel Royals really knows how to wail!

@sarah4601

2y↑1

He went to school with my mother at Marietta High School. We were talking about him today. Joanne Woodward also went to MHS.

@borkumriff642

9y↑15

R.I.P. Billy Joe......thanks for the great music you brought to us.

@Mster129

You know he’s still alive right? And if you respond after 5 years your a legend

@renatoguidetti7109

3y↑1

Ricordo nella mia gioventù a fine anni 60 questo bellissimo motivo.Nelle discoteche di allora veniva suonato ripetutamente per accompagnare il ballo detto Shake molto in voga allora.Saluti Guidetti Renato

@lockedin60

1y↑1

My little old rock station Top 40 Gem must have missed out on this song. I don't remember this cover of ole Joe South song. Deep Purple did an excellent cover.

@fabiannunez4383

2y↑6

Beautiful and genial song... Long live Billy!!!!!!

@larchange1657

3y↑1

... souvenirs ...

@stubmandrel

As a long standing Purple fan, I really like this.

@charlievance8750

First Hit That Barry Bailey (ARS) played on. RIP Barry Bailey

@alexhidell8074

9y↑10

Goodbye Billy Joe. We loved you. I remember when you and Joe South were the draw out at the Bamboo Ranch at the Traffic Circle in Garden City. I knew you had it in you back then.

You were the first to record "Hush" too, later taken to the heights by Deep Purple, but yours is a knocked-out version. Joe will be waiting on you, son. RIP.

@frankiafrate1656

4y↑7

All three versions are great! Joe South , Royal, and Purple

@kendokunti

2y↑1

obviously forgetting aussies somebody's image

@frankiafrate1656

2y↑1

@kendokunti well ok. seems poppy but catchy.

@kendokunti

@Frank Iafrate Russell Morris was pretty popular over here in Oz pretty talented guy, The real thing, Wings of an eagle, sweet sweet love, and others

@andrewbyrne2173

2y↑3

I think Kula Shakur did the best version personally. All versions are golden though.

@miguelcolon221

2y↑1

Izzy loves cool rock music 🎸 🎶 💘 Enjoy 1967.

@toupti76h60

4y↑1

Rien ne vaut l'original super chanson👍👍

@andrewbyrne2173

Oui, c'est bon.

@leopcm4166

9y↑8

RIP Billy Joe
thanks for the great music.

@francisdhiver5426

10y↑13

Formidable de retrouver tous ces souvenirs, merci pour le partage!!!!!!

@viktorkovach8772

2y↑3

Great song, this original is powerfull and very nice to hear!

@SundaeExpress

15w

*powerful

@perspicacity1000

8y↑5

This is a wonderful song, I remember so far rhythm and lyrics, it comes to mind , songs like that are really unforgettable. It 's a great pleasure to the listening it again . Thank you for this travel to fountain of youth .

@derisionman

5y↑7

Superbe, j'adore !

@andrewbyrne2173

Moi aussi!

@albertjenkins2615

11y↑107

The Deep Purple version must be one of the most genius cover versions ever.

@andrewbyrne2173

2y↑9

It's good, but personally I prefer the Kula Shakur cover.

@mojorisin8368

2y↑2

@Andrew Byrne Kula Shakers version was just a rehash of what purple did with it.

@andrewbyrne2173

2y↑3

@Mojo Risin I still prefer the Kula Shakur cover. Each to their own.

@mojorisin8368

2y↑1

@Andrew Byrne ofcourse

@GlowingTube

22w

I prefer Somebody's Image (Russell Morris) version.

1 More Replies...

@rosemarym8388

4y↑3

Still like this original the best..😊

@deplorabledave1048

3y↑1

Many covers were also top 5 on the Billboard. I remember this from a FOUR TRACK tape player. 1971. I bet nobody remembers that format. That was a flash in the pan.

@goldwingman1500

10y↑13

One of Great Hit Songs 1967

@christianebonnaves5783

goldwingman1500 yes yes yes thank you

@gillesmorelle387

13w

0:22 Johnny l'a reprise en francais(excellente)merci mon Jojo

@narinderdhanjal221

6y↑4

There certainly isn't one bad cover version of Hush and this one certainly grooves and whenever I spin it in my deejay sets, the groovers dig it!

@markwalker5723

1y↑2

This is the original!

@EmanuelSoaresSantos

8y↑1

GREAT MUSIC, GREAT LYRIC =) <3

Greetings from UK

@francoislaunay3415

Toujours 1967.Quelle année!!!

@tommyandtammy1

9y↑2

Played with Billy Joe and Freddie Freddy Weller years ago, a nice person and a wonderful singer

@sauquoit13456

12y↑2

On this day in 1967 {October 28th} Billy Joe Royal performed "Hush" on the late Dick Clark's American Bandstand... One month earlier on September 30th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked ay #52 and spent 8 weeks on the Top 100... One year later in 1968 Deep Purple covered it; their version reached #4 on the Top 100... Then 20 years later Deep Purple re-recorded it and peaked at #62 in the UK... In 1997 Kula Shaker recorded it, they reached #2 in England RIP Mr. Clark

@uncapricio

10y

nananananananananana.......super souvenir, MERCI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@2287jan

10y↑2

Missing the gòod old days with the oldies. GOD bless

@marialaura7532

4y↑1

Great version!

@MarcoAGJ

Great.

@natev6306

5y↑141

I had no idea Deep Purple was actually covering a song

@monabiehl6213

4y↑1

Really? I heard this version many times on the radio.

@75cadonot

4y↑3

It was one of the three covers on that first album, the others are Hey Joe and of course Help!. This was only a couple of months after Billy Joe Royal wrote and released it.

@will89687

4y↑12

The song was written by Joe South

@j.j.4150

4y↑2

@75cadonot You forgot "I'm so Glad". Another Cover on the Album.

@delbroox

me neither

19 More Replies...

@user-hw5lz1ck9e

Шикарное исполнение! Не хуже дип пёрпл.

@hofla7777

3y↑2

Written by Joe South, this was allegedly the first published version. South published his own rendition in 1968. I´m in doubt of this.

Nevermind, DP did a great job when covering the song in 1968 and integrating it as an encore to their live shows over the last thirty years.

@kylliansohan

14y

So much memories on that song. So long ago. Thank you .

@cresfirc7349

4y↑6

This is how i spent my 1% of battery

@ABCDEF-le7zq

5y↑2

At last I got it! THE version! Thnx a lot & best regards from France.

@snapfinger1

Some English garage band from down in the boondocks broke through with a cover of this classic.

@markkuijpers3419

Fantastisch

@Lamvesp

9y↑4

That killer bassline....

@regionalunityproductions6204

14w↑1

Exactly!

@5309backbeat

19w

Kula shaker did a great job of it

@creativecook100

3y↑4

Burton posted this one. Haven't heard this version in a long time.

@tommyandtammy1

11y

Thank you Sue , God bless you.

@vinegaroon1

14y

I still remember when Joe and Billy Joe played at the Bamboo Ranch out on Highway 80. Buddy Livingston had a TV show and would put them on the air locally. Buddy would warm up for them out at the Bamboo Ranch. They served booze there and I was too young to get in past the bouncer, but I had a friend working there and he would let me in when no one was looking. I knew these boys would 'make it' someday. I think both of them are still alive, but Joe is now in very bad health.

@MokhtarClim

10y

CLASSIQUE ANNEE 70 !!!

@vovanh544

6y↑1

super!!!!!!!!!!!

@klaudia6057

Always nice to come back to the originals to really appreciate the more upbeat covers 😂

@trfesok

9y↑2

Although it was written by Joe South, this version came out first. This is the one Deep Purple heard and decided to cover. I put all 3 in my DP playlist. Thanks for the upload!

@JohnDoeTheGoodGuy

9y↑2

I f*cking found it! I've been looking for this masterpiece for a whole year!

@jaycooper2624

Absolutely the best version (1967 all over again),if only I knew who stole my copy!!!

@elianeramasamy1296

3y↑1

magnifique

@LdeinerProductions

9y↑2

Kinda like this. Really works well as a soul song.

@LairdPit666

10y

Super Oldie!

@robertcousin9487

10y↑3

que de souvenirs...!

@MsTaninka

13y

AMAZING

@hplundholm4631

Meine Disco Zeit...........ich Reise zurück.........werde nicht mehr zurück kommen.

@Camelsarse

14y↑1

Kula Shakers cover is the best version of this tune!

@stratusboubou

9y↑1

c'était hier ! sniff

@Smudgefizz

9y↑1

I've always liked this song since hearing the Deep Purple version back in the late 60's, But truth be told, the "na na na na..." part is lifted directly from the Beatles' "Day in the Life", where Lennnon songs the exact same "na na na na ..." but slower. "Day in the Life came out first.

@Muscleduck

11y↑14

I never knew the Deep Purple version was a cover. Thanks!

@angelicvs

This version is also a cover
This song was written by Joe South

@herculesdutradecamposfilho1778

Watching from the bandstand,muuuuuuchhhhhhh b etter !!!!!!!!!!

@inekeadriaanse982

What a unic sound these days

@DarrenAllen1969

9y↑2

RIP Billy Joe Royal

@edwardflasch8426

Again,shoulda been a big hit.

@BBINGHAM032352

8y↑13

The song evokes the Beatles' "A Day In A Life".

@snidelywhiplash

5y↑1

Which is odd, because ADITL was recorded a couple years after this.

@partygrottocult1465

snidelywhiplash Not true. A day in the Life, released in May 1967. Hush released in September 1967.

@snidelywhiplash

Yep, I misread my sources. My bad.

@simonfranc9422

Plus the writer Joe South admitted to being inspired by “A Day In A Life and” and directly taking this particular tune.

@djstarsign

@Simon Franc I can’t even tell what he took from it

@TheBts523

13y

awesome!!

@karimbabir4342

5y↑1

I like the original as well as the Deep Purple version equally the same. They are both unique in their own way.

@Xsara167VTS

31w↑1

repris l'année suivante par Deep Purple sur leur album Shades of Deep Purple...

@jonmitchell3508

9y↑5

My favorite version is Joe South's actually, but this is cool too.

@vicky8867

This is the original of a Deep Purple cover that I have yet to hear. I like this so I'm definitely going to check out Deep Purple's version. Ty BA1 for the suggestion☺.

@Xtraplus92

13y

j'aimais tellement ce morceau en 67 que j'ai été voler le 45 t au magasin le Printemps boulevard Haussman avec un pote et on s'est fait prendre.On avait pas les moyens de se l'acheter et je n'avais pas de tourne-disques à la maison.J'avais 11ans.

@johnjenkins1449

40w

I'm not sure if Joe South or Billy Joe Royal recorded this song first but both recordings are fantastic.

@pbatommy

12y↑1

RIP Joe South

@izabelanogueira842

9y↑1

Descanse em paz Billy!

@Kowasi

4y↑19

Gotta say, Mr. Royal's take here beats all others for me. Delicacy, restraint, power… a slight suggestion of Buddy Holly in the vocal delivery.

@MsAppassionata

I prefer the Joe South version. He wrote the song.

@SundaeExpress

15w

This is the original.

@ioriorioriorio

13y

Wow, didn't know bout this cover.....the boy from the boondocks just got kool.....must a been all those good georgia mushrooms.....well blessed be!

@TheRunner75

12y↑4

Johnny : "C'est un AMUR qui me fait bien trop mal" ;-)

@toupti76h60

C'est amour en français 😉

@elianeramasamy1296

3y↑1

mdr

@yasesahin473

❤

@patdisaster8543

Don't forget Kentucky Woman......Ritche Blackmore solo....I love metal ...punk...new wave and outlaw country..... psychedelic rock as well.

@tommyandtammy1

13y

@sexrat thats cool i remember roy head. yea we just played Wild Bills in Atlanta Ga, it is the largest dance club in the USA. had a lots of fun. God bless.

@thegoose858

8y↑2

I remember hearing this version on the main top 40 radio station in my hometown in '67. It wasn't nearly as big a hit as Deep Purple's cover-I think it only got to something like #45 on Billboard- but a great version nevertheless ( I like 'em both).

@puppetguy01

9y↑1

Kingsman!!

@jamesknight4784

5y↑4

jon lord owns this tune. total b3 animal

@POPAVIDEO

13y

La fameuse série "gemini " , bien connue des collectionneurs de 45t . SON FABULEUX . c 'est mieux sur vinyl ! super .

@stevemiller1203

3y↑1

I also thought it was a Deep Purple original, never heard this before

@gogolplex74

7y↑2

Kula Shaker cover is the best

@michaelstruckus564

5y↑1

I like them all, but I really like Kula Shaker's version.

@rocknrollwerewolf3113

this my jam...

@Allan0931

11y

L'année du Bac j'écoutais avant de rentrer à l'internat à Muret

@leonchildsjr8690

10y↑16

love deep purple's version

@jomacu73

15y

classic !

@foureyedchick

2y↑23

There is this feminine Janis Joplin-ish feel to Billy's voice. Actually, a lot of people don't know that Deep Purple's version is a cover.

@squintoon1613

1y↑3

I did not know, which is why I'm listening to this tonight.

@mikereiss4216

1y↑1

Technically speaking so is this.

@ThePaulv12

@Mike Reiss As technical as, Say a Little Prayer is to Dionne Warwick?

@mikereiss4216

@ThePaulv12 I take it back. This was the original version. I only said that because BJR didn't actually write the song and the person who did, Joe South, did a version but not sure which one was first. We can say BJR was the first version though. I'm okwith that. I'm not that familiar with Dionne Warwick so I can't speak to that.

@mrgcav

1y↑1

I just found out.

@ilcugginocanadese

5y↑19

Who else is here after seeing Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. My favorite version is the one by Kula Shaker

@VanDerStamm

5y↑1

Yep. OUATIH brought me here... loved it.

@lostintime8651

4y↑1

Watching it now. But the DVD stopped. Must have a booger on it.

@andrewbyrne2173

Kula Shakur brought me here

@ChrisLean

11y

My 6 year old daughter loves this... Prefer it to the Deep Purple cover.

@shirleypena4133

10y↑27

IMHO the best version is still the one by the man who wrote it, Joe South! :)

@sonnydevaney

9y↑2

***** yes

@criag61

7y↑2

Totally agree! He should've released it as a single himself. I do love the Deep Purple version too, though.

@sarahsanders3645

Amen

@stuckinthe60s56

Nah deep purple is better

@WASMITAUGEN

5y↑1

Geil!

@MarlonDeanMusicChannel

5y↑1

Kula Shaker's version is the best.

@WestwoodGryphon

12y↑1

i thought this said billy joel almost blew my mind

@darrenringer9811

10y

So I just looked up the dates on this today, but the "na-na-na-na" riff in this song is an exact quote of the ethereal chorus chant at the end of the Beatles' "A Day in the Life", and this song came out just a few months later. This guy needed a little bit of help finding a hook? I had always thought the Beatles song was referencing the Deep Purple cover, but it's all backwards chronologically.

@TheRunner75

10y↑1

Yes but not the same rhythm :-)
In Deep Purple song "Strange Kind of Woman" you have exactly the same passage.
Deep Purple Strange Kind Of Woman at 1'27"

@darrenringer9811

10y

Well it pretty easily quantizes to the same thing although the Beatles version definitely lacks the syncopatedness that really made it catchy. Very interesting, and thank you for the additional info, hehe
EDIT: I wonder if there is a classical source for this melody, like so many others.

@rslitman

9y↑1

I remember when this song first came out around September 1967 and thinking that this part did appear to borrow from "A Day in the Life". This version didn't last very long on the radio, but about a year later, Deep Purple came along with their big hit.