Made up of singer Brad Tabor, lead guitarist Zach Lindsey, bassist Josh London and steel guitarist Alex Lindsey, the Josephines are the embodiment of the country rebel spirit.
Formed in 2017 in a bid to "have fun, make some cash & raise a little hell," the boys have been doubling down on that mission statement since day one. Combining dense, smooth harmonies ala Midland and the Eagles, moody story telling reminiscent of Tom Waits or Blaze Foley, a dash of pop songwriting sheen courtesy of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers & all the rock n roll energy of the best Foo Fighters show, the Josephines are on a path all their own and invite everyone to join the ride.
Honky Tonk Funeral Home
The Josephines Lyrics
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We got velvet curtains and a bar around back
That only serves Coors Light and Jack
The caskets are full
There’s women playing pool
Tell me what you know about that
It’s the only place we can drink
We’d rather die than go
Don’t have to say thank you, sorry or please
At the Honky Tonk Funeral Home
John’s in a fight
Jim stayed out all night
Jill can’t find her way out
Margaret’s in mourning
The band’s always touring
And they only know “Twist And Shout”
It’s the only place we can drink
We’d rather die than go
Don’t have to say thank you, sorry or please
At the Honky Tonk Funeral Home
It’s the only place we can drink
We’d rather die than go
Don’t have to say thank you, sorry or please
At the Honky Tonk Funeral Home
The Devil’s the dealer
Ah, he’s a real cheater
He’ll take you from five card to Rook
Flip you upside down
Son your soul’s already been took
The lyrics of "Honky Tonk Funeral Home" by The Josephines paint a vivid picture of a unique and somewhat surreal establishment that combines the atmosphere of a honky-tonk bar with the somber setting of a funeral home. The imagery of velvet curtains, a bar serving only Coors Light and Jack Daniels, and caskets that are full all create a sense of juxtaposition between life and death. The mention of women playing pool adds to the eclectic nature of the setting, hinting at a place where traditional boundaries are blurred.
The narrative in the lyrics introduces a cast of characters facing their own struggles and dilemmas within the Honky Tonk Funeral Home. From John getting into a fight to Jill being lost, these snippets of individual stories contribute to the overall atmosphere of chaos and unpredictability in the establishment. The mention of Margaret in mourning and the band constantly touring suggest a sense of perpetual upheaval and transience, echoing the impermanence of life itself.
The repeated refrain of "It’s the only place we can drink, We’d rather die than go" conveys a sense of resignation and acceptance of the unique environment of the Honky Tonk Funeral Home. The lack of social niceties and formalities, as indicated by the lines "Don’t have to say thank you, sorry or please," adds to the unconventional and perhaps liberating atmosphere of the place, where individuals can let loose and be themselves without the constraints of societal norms.
The closing lines of the song take a darker turn with the mention of the Devil as the dealer, implying a sense of temptation and deception lurking within the confines of the establishment. The imagery of being led astray by the Devil, from card games to a soul-altering journey, adds a layer of metaphorical depth to the narrative. Overall, "Honky Tonk Funeral Home" paints a picture of a place where the boundaries between the living and the dead, joy and sorrow, and freedom and temptation blur, leaving the listener to ponder the complexities of existence in a setting that defies conventional categorization.
Line by Line Meaning
We got velvet curtains and a bar around back
Our establishment has a fancy appearance with a hidden bar in the rear.
That only serves Coors Light and Jack
We have a limited selection of drinks, mainly Coors Light and Jack Daniels.
The caskets are full
Our funeral home is constantly busy with bereaved families.
There's women playing pool
Even in a somber setting, there are people enjoying themselves and trying to pass the time.
Tell me what you know about that
Can you comprehend the unique atmosphere of our place?
It's the only place we can drink
This establishment is the only sanctuary for us to enjoy a drink.
We'd rather die than go
We prefer being in this place over facing any other situation.
Don't have to say thank you, sorry or please
There's a sense of freedom here, where social niceties are not required.
At the Honky Tonk Funeral Home
In this unique venue that blends funeral home and bar.
The Devil's the dealer
We acknowledge the sinister edge of our environment, with the Devil symbolically present as the dealer in games.
Ah, he's a real cheater
The Devil is seen as a devious figure who unfairly influences outcomes.
Son your soul's already been took
Our environment may have already claimed your soul in a metaphorical sense.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bradley Tabor, David Page, Joshua London, Pierce Alex Lindsey, Zachary Lindsey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind