Honky Tonk
The J.B.'s Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When that whiskey takes ahold
He gets loud, proud, and runs his mouth
Like he's seventeen years old
His mother tried to warn him
But he never did take heed
Just chasin' tail and raisin' hell
Smokin' shitty Mexican weed
Still hurtin' from the night before
He kinda remembers pullin' a gun
But he can't recall what for
He woke up in a stranger's bed
On the ritzy side of town
With that honky tonk hangover
That's always draggin' him down
He drove on into Houston
On a muggy Thursday night
He thought he'd learn to two step
Or at least how to do it right
He carved his name right into the bar
With his Pawpaw's old Case knife
They tossed him out when they found out
And threatened him with his life
He goes to church on Sunday
Still hurtin' from the night before
He kinda remembers pullin' a gun
But he can't recall what for
He woke up in a stranger's bed
With a shiner on his eye
With that honky tonk hangover
That's always by his side
His sister brought her boyfriend down
He says he's from LA
They was headed up to Austin
If they liked it they might stay
They went out on the town that night
Just like they used to do
But the night went south
when he ran his mouth
Goin' on about Fox News
He goes to church on Sunday
Still hurtin' from the night before
He kinda remembers pullin' a gun
But he can't recall what for
He woke up in a stranger's bed
With whiskey on his breath
With a honky tonk hangover
Runnin' him half to death
He woke up in a stranger's bed
With whiskey on his breath
With a honky tonk hangover
Runnin' him half to death
The J.B.'s Honky Tonk is a song that tells the story of a man who likes to party hard but pays for it the next day. The song paints the picture of a tough and rowdy character who enjoys drinking, smoking weed, and chasing women. He is reckless and violent, as evidenced by the fact that he pulled a gun at some point during his wild escapades. However, his hangovers and the resulting embarrassment seem to have little impact on him, as he continues to engage in his vices.
The lyrics also touch on themes of identity and belonging. The singer's behavior is driven by a desire to fit in with the honky-tonk culture, as evidenced by his attempts to learn how to two-step and his willingness to carve his name into a bar. However, his outsider status is apparent by his clashes with other patrons and his eventual banishment from the establishment. He is also disconnected from his family, as his sister's boyfriend is from Los Angeles, and they are only passing through town.
Overall, Honky Tonk provides a snapshot of a hard-drinking, tough-talking, and reckless personality, whose behavior is driven by a need to belong and fit into a particular culture. The song portrays the physical and emotional toll of this lifestyle, highlighting the singer's hangovers, memory loss, and disconnectedness.
Line by Line Meaning
Well he's big, mean, and nasty
The man being described is physically imposing and has a confrontational demeanor.
When that whiskey takes ahold
When he drinks alcohol, his behavior becomes unpredictable and aggressive.
He gets loud, proud, and runs his mouth
Under the influence of alcohol, he becomes boastful and obnoxious, speaking loudly and without restraint.
Like he's seventeen years old
His behavior is immature and reckless, as if he has not grown out of his teenage years.
His mother tried to warn him
Despite his mother's attempts to advise him, he did not listen to her.
But he never did take heed
He never followed his mother's advice, choosing instead to live recklessly.
Just chasin' tail and raisin' hell
He engages in reckless behavior, pursuing women and participating in wild activities.
Smokin' shitty Mexican weed
He uses cheap and potentially low-quality marijuana from Mexico.
He goes to church on Sunday
Despite his sinful behavior, he still attends church on Sundays.
Still hurtin' from the night before
He is experiencing physical pain from the previous night's excessive drinking and partying.
He kinda remembers pullin' a gun
He has vague memories of brandishing a firearm, indicating his violent tendencies when drunk.
But he can't recall what for
He cannot remember the reason why he pulled out his gun, highlighting his lack of control when intoxicated.
He woke up in a stranger's bed
He finds himself in an unfamiliar place after a night of heavy drinking.
On the ritzy side of town
The unfamiliar place is a wealthy area far removed from his usual surroundings.
With that honky tonk hangover
He is experiencing the negative physical and emotional effects of excessive drinking, a hangover commonly associated with honky tonk bars.
That's always draggin' him down
His heavy drinking habits continually have a negative impact on his life.
He drove on into Houston
He travels to Houston, most likely in search of entertainment or alcohol.
On a muggy Thursday night
The time of his arrival in Houston, indicating his willingness to engage in reckless behavior regardless of the day of the week or weather conditions.
He thought he'd learn to two step
He plans on dancing the two-step, demonstrating a desire for entertainment and socializing.
Or at least how to do it right
He hopes to improve his current two-step dancing abilities.
He carved his name right into the bar
He defaces the property of others, carving his name into a bar using a knife passed down from his grandfather.
With his Pawpaw's old Case knife
The knife he uses belonged to his grandfather.
They tossed him out when they found out
The bar staff removes him from the premises once they realize he caused damage to their property.
And threatened him with his life
He is threatened with violence for his actions, indicating the severity of his behavior.
His sister brought her boyfriend down
His sister brings her romantic partner to their location.
He says he's from LA
The sister's boyfriend claims to be from Los Angeles.
They was headed up to Austin
The couple plans to travel to Austin.
If they liked it they might stay
The couple is open to the idea of remaining in Austin if they enjoy it there.
They went out on the town that night
They engage in social activities on the same night they arrive in town.
Just like they used to do
The couple's behavior is characteristic of their usual social activities.
But the night went south
The night's events take a negative turn.
when he ran his mouth
The sister's boyfriend engages in obnoxious conversation that sours the mood.
Goin' on about Fox News
The sister's boyfriend discusses politics specifically in relation to Fox News, further agitating those around him.
With a shiner on his eye
He wakes up with a black eye as a result of his altercation the previous night, further illustrating the negative consequences of his actions.
With whiskey on his breath
He still smells of alcohol from the previous night.
Runnin' him half to death
The effects of his drinking and partying are taking a significant toll on his well-being.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Patrick Ray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind