Hey Joe
The Soul Benders Lyrics
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I said hey, hey, Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand?
I'm goin' out to find my woman now
She been runnin' 'round with some other man
I'm goin' out to find my woman now
She been runnin' 'round with some other man
Well, hey, Joe, I heard you shot your woman down
Hey, hey, Joe, I heard you shot your woman down
Shot her down, now
Well, yes, yes I did
I shot her down
Yes, yes I did
'Cause I 'caught her messin' 'round town
Well, hey, hey, Joe, what are you doin' with that gun in your hand?
I said hey, hey, Joe, what you doin' with that gun in your hand?
I'm goin' out to find my woman now
She been runnin' 'round with some other man
I'm goin' out to find my woman now
Runnin' 'round with some other man
Well, hey, hey, Joe, tell me, where are you gonna go?
I said hey, hey, Joe, tell me, where are you gonna go?
Well I guess I'll go down to my place in Mexico
I guess I'll go down to a place where a man can be free
And there ain't gonna be no hangin' rope put around me
The Soul Benders’ song “Hey Joe” tells the story of a man named Joe who is seeking revenge against his woman for cheating on him. Joe is leaving with a gun in his hand to find his woman, who he believes has been running around with another man. The first verse indicates that Joe has already gone out to find his woman, and he is determined to confront her. In the second verse, it is revealed that Joe has shot his woman down, as he caught her messing around town. This reveals that Joe has acted on his anger and taken drastic steps to get revenge on his woman.
Despite having killed his woman, Joe seems unremorseful and justifies his actions by saying that he shot her down because he caught her messing around town. The last verse reveals that Joe is planning to flee to Mexico, where he can be free and avoid being caught by the authorities. The song's lyrics explore themes of jealousy, betrayal, and revenge, while also commenting on the vulnerability of men when their partners cheat on them.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, hey, Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand?
Hey Joe, where are you headed with that firearm?
I said hey, hey, Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand?
Again, Joe, where are you going with that gun in your hand?
I'm goin' out to find my woman now
I am heading out to find my significant other
She been runnin' 'round with some other man
She has been seen with another man
Well, hey, Joe, I heard you shot your woman down
So, Joe, I heard you have killed your lover
Shot her down, now
You shot her and she is no longer alive
Well, yes, yes I did
Yes, I did kill my lover
I shot her down
I used a firearm to take her life
'Cause I 'caught her messin' 'round town
Because I found her with someone else
I'm goin' out to find my woman now
I am once again going out to search for my partner
Runnin' 'round with some other man
She is still seeing the other man
Well, hey, hey, Joe, tell me, where are you gonna go?
So Joe, where do you plan on heading?
I said hey, hey, Joe, tell me, where are you gonna go?
Again, Joe, can you let me know where you're going?
Well I guess I'll go down to my place in Mexico
I believe I will travel to my residence in Mexico
I guess I'll go down to a place where a man can be free
I will visit a location where one can be liberated
And there ain't gonna be no hangin' rope put around me
And I will not have a noose put around my neck
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bob Little
This cool on so many levels. The connection to Michigan, the WONDERFULLY dated audio recording (I love it), the cool, low-tech home movies, the direct connection to one of my top 3 most listened to radio stations, that Vox organ (which looks like the same kind that's on the cover of Dave Clark Five's "Coast To Coast" album) and the chance to time travel to back to being 10 years old again for 4 minutes and 24 seconds.
D TheBassman
This is GREAT!!!!! I was in a basement, next to the garage, band from 67 through 69. We played at the after game dances in high school. I played guitar and keyboards. I had a Vox Jaguar organ.........................Cool Beans.
subterranean psychedelicatessen
This has officially moved up on my list of the best "Hey Joes" out there, and it's right near the top!
Maximus Khan
I'm with you on that. I have it at the very top.
Craig Usselman
1.Jimi
2 Billys
3 these guys love this jangly 60s goodness.
James Aron
@Craig Usselman The Leaves' version should be in the top three, IMO.
Philip Lane
Aris Hampers was a DJ in the early 70's on a Grand Rapids fm station. I listened often from Kalamazoo. Your show was great. Where did you ever come up with Phlegathon for a band name? Did you ever know Candlemass Eve? Whatever became of "Brother John" from the same station you were at? Thanks for the tunes. I see why you made #5 nationally. 7+7 is remains a little known gem. I can still hear that bluesy fade on the original that brought it all back home. Best to ya!
Kirk Harrington
Wow what a cover of hey Joe they really blows my mind away amazing sounds of The soulbenders
RetroJoe66
WOW! UNREAL! My mind just blew out of my head! In addition to the unique blend of fast and slow Hey Joe, you have home film footage of the group! Incredible! What a great piece of garage rock history!
Thomas
Hey Aris, I hope you are doing well considering what you’ve been through. This is the best version of Hey Joe I have ever heard. I’m a young musician (drums, bass, keys, harmonica & guitar) about the same age as you guys in this video😂 and lemme tell you this is the stuff that inspires me. Is everyone from the band still alive and well? The intro is hauntingly beautiful, the cool tempo change and that spectacular outro!.. cool stuff man!