By 2008 The Blackwater Fever had gained national radio exposure from youth radio station Triple J, on the Home & Hosed (October) and Roots 'n' All (November) segments,and from that station's Unearthed competition for new unsigned bands. In November 2008 they released their debut studio album, Sweet Misery, where DeMarco had been replaced by Andrew Walter on drums.
By late 2010 the line-up was a trio with Hicks and Walter joined by Jed A. Walters on bass guitar and keyboards. However their second album, In Stereo (June 2011), had been recorded before Walters had joined, "[Jed] didn't contribute to this album but he'll definitely be making a big contribution to the next one." Their third album, The Depths, appeared in March 2013 Luke Saunders of Reverb Street Press compared it with the previous two albums "[its] another intriguing step forward following the solid foundations the band laid on their dark and gritty debut, Sweet Misery (2009) and its more refined, equally accomplished follow-up, In Stereo (2011).
Don't Fuck With Joe
The Blackwater Fever Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a barrel to the head from a loaded gun
He ain’t your friend and he ain’t your foe
But take heed now, don’t fuck with joe
Takes his hammer, takes a stone
Like a moth to a flame he will creep and crawl
To the light in the valley where you call it home
And break down your door when you’re sleeping sound
Takes his cleaver, cuts your throat
A cold-hearted killer in a dark black coat
Some say he’s the devil, just a bad mofo
One thing’s for sure you don’t fuck with joe
Well there once was a trucker by the name of clyde
Ran a little moonshine on the side
He knew damn well who owned that liquor store
But no one told him who wrote the law
Found tied to a sleeper on the railroad track
It was the midnight train that broke his back
Ain’t no way to die but then he shoulda had known
That he dug his grave when he fucked with joe
Sue ray ran a house of ill repute
In the old shack down by the black bayou
Had ‘em lined up way round the bend
I think you know how the story ends
Joe fucked her good with a shot to the head
Her brains laid out all over the bed
He had no right to do the things he did
But if you fuck with joe you gonna wind up dead
You should’ve never stolen from butcher’s corner store
’cause now you find yourself upon the killing floor
His name’s on the wind, footsteps in the snow
I warned you three times already
I can’t warn you no more
so when he takes his hammer, takes a stone
breaks down your door while you’re sleeping sound
the light of the moon hits his cleaver to show
the red with anger, wild eyes of joe
The Blackwater Fever's song "Don't Fuck With Joe" seems to be a cautionary tale about a ruthless character who runs the town and is not to be crossed. The opening verse describes Joe's power and warns the listener to be cautious of him. The following verse describes his methods, sneaking into his victims' homes and attacking them with a cleaver, leaving the listener to believe that he is a cold-hearted killer. In the third verse, the song documents two specific cases where someone crossed Joe and paid the ultimate price for their decisions. Clyde, a moonshiner, was killed after he crossed Joe and tried to steal from a liquor store that he owned. The final verse describes Sue Ray, the owner of a brothel, who also crossed Joe and was killed for her actions.
The lyrics suggest that Joe is a formidable character who should not be taken lightly. He seems to assert his dominance over the town through violent means and is willing to kill anyone who dares to cross him. The song implies that Joe is an almost mythical figure, with some people believing he is the devil. Despite his actions, the song also hints at something alluring or magnetic about him, with the lines, "Like a moth to a flame he will creep and crawl/To the light in the valley where you call it home." This could be read as a metaphor for people being drawn to Joe's power and influence, despite knowing the risks.
Line by Line Meaning
He’s run this town since time begun
Joe has been in charge of this town since the beginning of time.
Like a barrel to the head from a loaded gun
Dealing with Joe is like getting hit with a bullet to the head.
He ain’t your friend and he ain’t your foe
Joe doesn't care about you one way or the other.
But take heed now, don’t fuck with joe
It's best to avoid crossing Joe or facing his wrath.
Takes his hammer, takes a stone
Joe will use anything at his disposal to get the job done.
Like a moth to a flame he will creep and crawl
Joe will do whatever it takes to catch his prey.
To the light in the valley where you call it home
Joe will even go to your home to get what he wants.
And break down your door when you’re sleeping sound
Joe won't hesitate to use force to get what he wants.
Takes his cleaver, cuts your throat
Joe is a brutal killer who doesn't hesitate to use his weapons.
A cold-hearted killer in a dark black coat
Joe is a ruthless murderer who wears the garb of death.
Some say he’s the devil, just a bad mofo
Some believe Joe is a nefarious figure and a force to be reckoned with.
One thing’s for sure you don’t fuck with joe
There's no doubt that it's best not to cross Joe.
Well there once was a trucker by the name of clyde
There's a story of a trucker named Clyde that illustrates the danger of crossing Joe.
Ran a little moonshine on the side
Clyde was involved in the illegal production of alcohol.
He knew damn well who owned that liquor store
Clyde was aware of who owned the store he was illegally producing alcohol for.
But no one told him who wrote the law
Clyde was unaware of the extent of Joe's power.
Found tied to a sleeper on the railroad track
Clyde was found tied to a railroad track.
It was the midnight train that broke his back
Clyde was killed by a train.
Ain’t no way to die but then he shoulda had known
Clyde should have known better than to cross Joe.
That he dug his grave when he fucked with joe
Crossing Joe was the cause of Clyde's downfall.
Sue ray ran a house of ill repute
Another person, Sue Ray, made the mistake of crossing Joe.
In the old shack down by the black bayou
Sue Ray's business was located in a remote shack by a bayou.
Had ‘em lined up way round the bend
Sue Ray's business was popular and drew a lot of customers.
I think you know how the story ends
Sue Ray's fate was sealed when she crossed Joe.
Joe fucked her good with a shot to the head
Joe killed Sue Ray by shooting her in the head.
Her brains laid out all over the bed
The result of Joe's attack was gruesome.
He had no right to do the things he did
Joe's actions were morally unjustifiable.
But if you fuck with joe you gonna wind up dead
Crossing Joe will result in a violent and deadly confrontation.
You should’ve never stolen from butcher’s corner store
Don't ever make the mistake of stealing from the local store, especially if it belongs to Joe.
’cause now you find yourself upon the killing floor
Stealing from Joe is a guaranteed way to face the consequences.
His name’s on the wind, footsteps in the snow
Joe is a feared presence who leaves his mark wherever he goes.
I warned you three times already
The singer is issuing a cautionary warning to the listener.
I can’t warn you no more
The singer won't be responsible for any consequences that result from not heeding their warning.
so when he takes his hammer, takes a stone
Joe will use whatever weapons he has at hand.
breaks down your door while you’re sleeping sound
Joe will use brute force to gain entry to your home.
the light of the moon hits his cleaver to show
Even in the dark, Joe's deadly weapon will gleam in the moonlight.
the red with anger, wild eyes of joe
Joe's eyes will betray his fury and thirst for vengeance.
Contributed by Nolan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sloshed Rat
He’s run this town since time begun
Like a barrel to the head from a loaded gun
He ain’t your friend and he ain’t your foe
But take heed now, don’t fuck with Joe
Takes his hammer, takes a stone
Like a moth to a flame he will creep and crawl
To the light in the valley where you call it home
And break down your door when you’re sleeping sound
Takes his cleaver, cuts your throat
A cold-hearted killer in a dark black coat
Some say he’s the devil, just a bad mofo
One thing’s for sure you don’t fuck with Joe
Well there once was a trucker by the name of Clyde
Ran a little moonshine on the side
He knew damn well who owned that liquor store
But no one told him who wrote the law
Found tied to a sleeper on the railroad track
It was the midnight train that broke his back
Ain’t no way to die but then he shoulda had known
That he dug his grave when he fucked with Joe
Sue Ray ran a house of ill repute
In the old shack down by the black bayou
Had ‘em lined up way round the bend
I think you know how the story ends
Joe fucked her good with a shot to the head
Her brains laid out all over the bed
He had no right to do the things he did
But if you fuck with Joe you gonna wind up dead
You should’ve never stolen from butcher’s corner store
’cause now you find yourself upon the killing floor
His name’s on the wind, footsteps in the snow
I warned you three times already
I can’t warn you no more
so when he takes his hammer, takes a stone
breaks down your door while you’re sleeping sound
the light of the moon hits his cleaver to show
the red with anger, wild eyes of Joe
The Blackwater Fever
he’s run this town since time begun
like a barrel to the head from a loaded gun
he ain’t your friend and he ain’t your foe
but take heed now, don’t fuck with joe
takes his hammer, takes a stone
like a moth to a flame he will creep and crawl
to the light in the valley where you call it home
and break down your door when you’re sleeping sound
takes his cleaver, cuts your throat
a cold-hearted killer in a dark black coat
some say he’s the devil, just a bad mofo
one thing’s for sure you don’t fuck with joe
well there once was a trucker by the name of clyde
ran a little moonshine on the side
he knew damn well who owned that liquor store
but no one told him who wrote the law
found tied to a sleeper on the railroad track
it was the midnight train that broke his back
ain’t no way to die but then he shoulda had known
that he dug his grave when he fucked with joe
sue ray ran a house of ill repute
in the old shack down by the black bayou
had ’em lined up way round the bend
i think you know how the story ends
joe fucked her good with a shot to the head
her brains laid out all over the bed
he had no right to do the things he did
but if you fuck with joe you gonna wind up dead
you should’ve never stolen from butcher’s corner store
’cause now you find yourself upon the killing floor
his name’s on the wind, footsteps in the snow
i warned you three times already
i can’t warn you no more
so when he takes his hammer, takes a stone
breaks down your door while you’re sleeping sound
the light of the moon hits his cleaver to show
the red with anger, wild eyes of joe
shawn morton
This song is so narly and just badass. So glad I came across this awesome, awesome song.
Joanna Dark
Absolutely love it. The groove, the tone, everything I like in just one song.
mojotheaverage
Absolutely awesome as usual guys! A new direction but still keeping that Blackwater feeling at the core!
Joe Ruark
I've been saying this for years! Thanks for the anthem.
Arizona Striker
I just want to say, this will be my theme song from now on. Thank you Blackwater Fever!
Kifaru Unkaged
I never grow tired of this rockin' tune. I made a tribute film clip in Red Dead Redemption 2 (on my channel), and I listened to it a LOT since starting recording for it back in January. Still loving it!
Lumi
This album is a must have.
Pauly Howl
loving this. ill be honest. im not familliar with Blackwater fever untill i read in the zoo mag they gave their new album 10/10. i can see why based purely on this song
OlofTheBald
This song is groovy as hell, love it!
Nikolay Nikolayevich
Превосходно!