1) The Continentals are Bill Holliday, Tom Doherty, Alan Harris. The sleeve… Read Full Bio ↴1) The Continentals are Bill Holliday, Tom Doherty, Alan Harris. The sleeve comes from their 1979 CBS recording of Fizz Pop Modern Rock together with B side 'I lost my love on a 747'. The single was produced by Tommy Erdelyi of the Ramones. The group came from London and were managed by Doug Smith, then manager of Motorhead. They were included as part of the unique but short lived NuDisk releases in the USA - 10" EP's . Elvis Costello was also one of the artists released in this format in the USA. Music was largely New Wave high energy although other tracks reflected a wider and different style. Fizz Pop Modern Rock received good air play but the follow up single 'Housewives Delight' was less well received by radio stations. Probably due to the lyrics which were about DJs at the time! Bill Holliday and Tom Doherty also co-produced and wrote tracks for the highly rated Rockabilly group 'Whirlwind' .
The title of the Single 'Fizz Pop Modern Rock' was used for two compilation albums released in the USA by Epic featuring a range of hi energy music.

2) 1960s Garage/Psych band from Georgia, US.

3) International christian ministry (Continental Singers) started by Cam Floria in 1963. The Continentals have recorded over 60 albums. There are several groups (e.g. The Continental Voices And Brass, The Young Continentals, The Encore Continentals, Continental Kids, etc, etc) who play over 1,600 concerts a year. For more information visit http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/artists/the_continentals/11907

4) A band from Salt Lake City, Utah. Released an album, "Rhino" in 2010.

Honky Tonk
The Continentals Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You sure look fine tonight, in the beer sign light.
Why did you seem surprised when I saw through your disguise.
All your friends were there and no one had a care.
They all just looked away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.

You should have known I knew all along.
That I could see through you right or wrong.
I didn't need a clue.

I didn't even have to ask,
You saw your own reflection in the glass.

I'd like to see you home, but I know you're not alone
You seem to fit right in, as you tell me where you've been
You say there's not that much to tell but I know you oh too well
Your eyes give you away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.

You should have known I knew all along.
That I could see through you right or wrong.
I didn't need a clue.
I didn't even have to ask,
You saw your own reflection in the glass.

You sure look fine tonight, they're turning out the lights
Why did you hold my sleeve when I said I had to leave

I hoped it never showed, but that's the way it goes.
As the lights begin to fade on this Honky Tonk Masquerade.

Overall Meaning

The Continentals's song Honky Tonk is about a man who sees through the disguise of a woman with whom he shares a night out in a honky-tonk bar. The woman seems surprised by his insight, and the man reveals he had known all along that she was not being her true self. The woman's friends seem not to care or notice, and the scene is set in a masquerade where individuals put on a façade of who they are not. The chorus emulates that the man never needed a clue to see through the woman's guise; all he had to do was look at the reflection in the glass.

Despite the woman's attempt to hide who she is, the man tries to get closer to her, but he is aware that the woman may not be alone. The woman's eyes give her away, and while she tries to downplay her situation, the man reveals that he knows her too well. As the night comes to an end, the woman holds the man's sleeve, probably not wanting the night to end.

Line by Line Meaning

You sure look fine tonight, in the beer sign light.
You look attractive tonight, illuminated by the beer signs.

Why did you seem surprised when I saw through your disguise.
Why were you shocked when I saw through your act?

All your friends were there and no one had a care. They all just looked away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.
Your pals were all present, but they paid no attention, hiding in this Honky Tonk facade.

You should have known I knew all along. That I could see through you right or wrong. I didn't need a clue. I didn't even have to ask, You saw your own reflection in the glass.
You were aware that I knew your true intentions from the start as I didn't require any prompting, your glass revealed your true feelings.

I'd like to see you home, but I know you're not alone. You seem to fit right in, as you tell me where you've been. You say there's not that much to tell but I know you oh too well. Your eyes give you away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.
I'd like to escort you home, but I am confident you have company. You appear comfortable here, describing your activities. You assert there isn't much to say, but I am too familiar with your ways. Your eyes divulge more in this Honky Tonk pretense.

You sure look fine tonight, they're turning out the lights. Why did you hold my sleeve when I said I had to leave? I hoped it never showed, but that's the way it goes. As the lights begin to fade on this Honky Tonk Masquerade.
You still look incredible as the lights dim. Why did you grip my sleeve when I announced I was departing? I hoped no one noticed, but that's how life works. As the bright lights fade from this facade, the truth becomes visible.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOE ELY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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