The first known public appearance of the Osborne Brothers was in 1951. They joined the cast at WCYB Bristol, Virginia, to perform on a program called "Farm and Fun Time", along with other Bluegrass bands, such as, The Stanley Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Carl Story and his Rambling Mountainers. Other members of "Farm and Fun Time" included, Jim & Jesse, Little Robert Van Winkle, Curly King and the Tennessee Hilltoppers, and country recording artist Red Kirk. The live program aired five days a week, Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on WCYB Radio, and covered five states.
Upon their breakout into the bluegrass scene, the Osborne Brothers quickly became noted for their virtuosic instrumentation and tight, melodic vocal harmonies. Their first country chart appearance was "Once More", a 1958 trio with Red Allen, with a then-novel inverted stacked harmony: Bobby singing the lead line highest, then Sonny singing baritone, and finally the third singer (in this case Red Allen) singing the tenor as the lowest part. This placed Bobby's distinctive voice as the lead, and made the third voice a somewhat interchangeable part. As a result, the brothers could hire a series of guitarist/singers without changing their overall sound. This "high lead" vocal trio became their signature sound, used to great effect in the country market, with songs like "Blame Me", "Sweethearts Again", and a remake of the Carter Family's "Fair and Tender Ladies".
During their breakout period of the mid 1950s, Sonny's banjo and Bobby's mandolin styles became distinctive and easily-identifiable with their overall sound. The band was inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry on August 8, 1964.
The Osborne Brothers have the distinction of having recorded two songs that would go on to be officially voted as "state songs." The first, "Rocky Top," was named a Tennessee state song in 1982. The other, "Kentucky," was named a state song for the brothers' home state of Kentucky.
In 1994, The Osborne Brothers were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor. The induction is considered bluegrass music's highest honor.
Hey Hey Bartender
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where'd ya find that pearly girlie
Where'd ya get that jolly dolly
How did ya rate that dish I wish was mine
Hey Joe!
She's got skin that's creamy dreamy
Eyes that look so lovey-dovey
Now listen Joe, I ain't no heel
But oh buddy let me tell you how I feel
She's a honey, she's a sugar pie
I'm warnin' you I'm gonna try to steal her from you
Hey Joe!
Though we've been the best of friends
This is where that friendship ends
I gotta have that dolly for my own.
(Hey Joe!)
(Hey Joe!)
Hey Joe!
Come on let's be buddy buddies
Show me you're my palsy-walsy
Introduce that pretty little chick to me
Hey Joe!
Quit that waitin', hesitatin'
Let me at 'er, what's the matter
You're as slow as any Joe can be
Now come on Joe let's make a deal
Let me dance with her to see if she is real
She's the cutest girl I've ever seen
An' I tell ya face to face I mean to steal her from you
Hey Joe!
We'll be friends until the end
But this looks like the end my friend
I gotta have that dolly for my own
I've gotta have that dolly for my own
(Hey Joe, Hey Joe)
The lyrics to "Hey Hey Bartender" by The Osborne Brothers tell the story of two friends, Joe and the singer of the song, who both have their eyes on the same girl. The singer is expressing his admiration for the girl, describing her as a "pearly girlie" and a "jolly dolly." He is captivated by her beauty, with skin that's "creamy dreamy," lovey-dovey eyes, and lips as red as cherry berry wine.
The singer tells Joe that he is not a heel, but he cannot deny his desire to have the girl for himself. He warns Joe that he is going to try to steal her away, despite their friendship. The singer asks Joe to introduce the girl to him, urging him to quit waiting and hesitating. He believes Joe is slow in making a move and wants his chance with the girl.
Ultimately, the singer acknowledges that their friendship might come to an end because of their competing interests in the girl. He reiterates that he must have the girl for his own, emphasizing his determination. The song ends with the repeated plea to Joe, "Hey Joe, Hey Joe," underscoring his desire to take the girl away from him.
Overall, "Hey Hey Bartender" portrays a situation where friendship is tested by romantic interests and highlights the singer's ambition to pursue a girl, even if it means potentially ending a friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe!
Addressing Joe in a friendly manner
Where'd ya find that pearly girlie
Where did you find that attractive girl
Where'd ya get that jolly dolly
Where did you get that joyful girl
How did ya rate that dish I wish was mine
How did you manage to win over that girl I desire
She's got skin that's creamy dreamy
Her skin is smooth and beautiful
Eyes that look so lovey-dovey
Her eyes have a loving and affectionate expression
Lips as red as cherry berry wine
Her lips are brightly colored like red wine
Now listen Joe, I ain't no heel
Joe, pay attention, I am not a dishonest person
But oh buddy let me tell you how I feel
But my friend, I need to express my true feelings
She's a honey, she's a sugar pie
She is an attractive and sweet woman
I'm warnin' you I'm gonna try to steal her from you
I am warning you that I will attempt to take her away from you
Come on let's be buddy buddies
Let's be good friends
Show me you're my palsy-walsy
Demonstrate that you are my close friend
Introduce that pretty little chick to me
Introduce that beautiful young woman to me
Quit that waitin', hesitatin'
Stop waiting and hesitating
Let me at 'er, what's the matter
Allow me to approach her, what is the problem
You're as slow as any Joe can be
You are being slow and indecisive
Now come on Joe let's make a deal
Now Joe, let's make an agreement
Let me dance with her to see if she is real
Allow me to spend time with her to confirm if she is genuine
She's the cutest girl I've ever seen
She is the most adorable girl I have ever encountered
An' I tell ya face to face I mean to steal her from you
I am telling you directly that I plan to take her away from you
We'll be friends until the end
We will remain friends until the very end
But this looks like the end my friend
However, it seems like our friendship may come to an end
I gotta have that dolly for my own
I must possess that girl for myself
I've gotta have that dolly for my own
I must have that girl exclusively
(Hey Joe, Hey Joe)
Repeating the address to Joe
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Billy Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greg Cantrell
I remember this album cover as a kid. My Daddy played this album a lot
PrintLux Berlin
Simply ingenious! Today's modern music, on the other hand, is just blaring and yowling!
Niall Bannon
excellent . thanks for posting
Further AM
badass.. goes perfect with south bound train with jim & jesse
James Harrington
I wish the person who put this album on would also put yesterday's gone on also, thanks in advance
skellywag rock
there was a live version on a tv show of this track. So much faster and better in every way. Now its deleted from youtube. This version just doesn't cut it.
Randy Bailey
anyone know who is playing the fiddler??
banana man
cool