Southside Johnny (real name John Lyon, born December 4, 1948 in Neptune, Ne… Read Full Bio ↴Southside Johnny (real name John Lyon, born December 4, 1948 in Neptune, New Jersey) is an American singer-songwriter who usually fronts his band Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. Lyon grew up in Ocean Grove, New Jersey and graduated from Neptune High School. Southside Johnny first achieved prominence in the mid-1970s as the second act to emerge from the Jersey Shore music scene and be considered part of the Jersey Shore sound, following Bruce Springsteen. Southside's first three albums, I Don't Want to Go Home (1976), This Time It's For Real (1977), and Hearts of Stone (1978), were Stax-influenced R&B arranged and produced by the co-founder of the band and Springsteen confederate Steven Van Zandt and largely featured songs written by Van Zandt and/or Springsteen. The Van Zandt-written "I Don't Want To Go Home" became Southside's signature song, an evocative mixture of horn-based melodic riffs and sentimental lyrics. Other notable songs included "The Fever","Talk to Me," "This Time It's For Real," "Love on the Wrong Side of Town," and the definitive version of Springsteen's " Hearts of Stone."

Southside has long been considered the Grandfather of "the New Jersey Sound." Jon bon Jovi has acknowledged Southside as "his reason for singing." In 1982 the Rolling Stone Magazine voted the album Hearts of Stone among the top 100 albums of the 70's and 80's. In 1987, Southside and the Jukes were featured in the film Adventures in Babysitting performing at a college frat party.

Since 2001 Southside Johnny and the Jukes have toured the UK and Europe as an annual event, their first since the 1992 Better Days tour. His most recent album is Grapefruit Moon: The Songs Of Tom Waits (2008).

Sweeter Than Honey
Southside Johnny Lyrics

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Sweeter than honey, believe it
Better than blue skies or morning dew
I spend all my money, I don't need it

Just as long as I've got you
You know where it is with just one look
I don't need movies or a picture book
You know I'm talking about love, love, love

Ain't nothing but love, love, love
Oh I'm in love, love, love
And honey, I'm talking about the real thing

And that kind of love don't come easy
Ain't much of it in the world around you
That kind of love don't come easy
Honey, I'm so glad I found you

Ooh, yea yea yea
Warmer than sunlight, my baby
I didn't live 'til I felt her touch
Now I'm feeling weak and strong and crazy
I never wanted anything so much

And she understands before I speak a word
I know she's more than I deserve
You know I'm talking about love, love, love
Ain't nothing but love, love, love

Oh I'm in love, love, love
And honey, I'm talking about the real thing

And that kind of love don't come easy
Ain't much of it in the world around you
That kind of love don't come easy
Honey, I'm so glad, so glad,
I'm so glad I found you

You know where it is with just one look
I don't need movies or a picture book
You know I'm talking about love, love, love
Ain't nothing but love, love, love
Oh I'm in love, love, love
And honey, I'm talking about the real thing

And that kind of love don't come easy
Ain't much of it in the world around you
That kind of love don't come easy
Honey, I'm so glad, so glad,
I'm so glad I found you

And that kind of love don't come easy

Overall Meaning

The song "Sweeter Than Honey" by Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes is an ode to the power of love. The lyrics describe a love so strong that it surpasses everything else in life, even money. The singer explains that he doesn’t need movies or a picture book to feel fulfilled, as long as he has his lover with him. The lyrics paint the picture of a relationship that is warm, comfortable, and fulfilling. The singer explains that his lover understands him perfectly, even before he speaks a word, and that the love they share is the "real thing."

Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes that this kind of love is hard to come by. It's a love that doesn't come easy and that's not plentiful in the world around us. But he's so glad to have found it with his lover. The song is a celebration of true love in a world that often seems lacking in it.

Overall, the lyrics of "Sweeter Than Honey" convey the message that love is the most valuable thing in life, and that once you find it, you hold onto it with all your heart.

Line by Line Meaning

Sweeter than honey, believe it
Love is so sweet and genuine, it feels even more pleasurable than the best natural substances like honey.

Better than blue skies or morning dew
Love is more beautiful than natural weather phenomena like clear blue skies or dewdrops on the leaves.

I spend all my money, I don't need it
Love is priceless and no amount of money can or should be spent on it.

Just as long as I've got you
The only thing that really matters in life is having the person you love with you.

You know where it is with just one look
The love between these two people is palpable and easily seen in their eyes.

I don't need movies or a picture book
The love between these two people is enough to fill their hearts and minds, rendering material things like movies and books unnecessary.

And honey, I'm talking about the real thing
The love between these two people is not a fleeting infatuation or a mere crush, but a true and deep connection.

And that kind of love don't come easy
Finding such a deep and meaningful love is rare and difficult to come by.

Ain't much of it in the world around you
There is a lack of this kind of sincere love in the world at large.

Honey, I'm so glad I found you
The singer is ecstatic that he has found someone with whom he shares such deep and genuine love.

Warmer than sunlight, my baby
The love he shares with his partner is even warmer and more comforting than the rays of the sun.

I didn't live 'til I felt her touch
The singer feels that his life had no real meaning or joy until he met his partner.

Now I'm feeling weak and strong and crazy
The emotions he is feeling in his relationship are intense and wild, making him feel both vulnerable and empowered at the same time.

I never wanted anything so much
The singer has never wanted anything as badly as he wants to be with his love.

And she understands before I speak a word
His partner knows him so well that she can anticipate his thoughts and needs without him having to voice them.

I know she's more than I deserve
The singer feels incredibly lucky to have found someone who is so kind, supportive, and loving in every way possible.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVEN VAN ZANDT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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