The band was formed in 1962 by lead singer/organist Larry Tamblyn and guitarist Tony Valentino. The Standells' first hit single was Dirty Water, which reached #11 on the Billboard charts on June 11, 1966.
Other hits included Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White, Why Pick On Me, Riot On Sunset Strip (about the 1966 riots resulting from police attacks on hippies), and Try It.
Singer/drummer Dick Dodd, founding drummer of The Bel Airs, who joined the group in 1964 and sang the lead on "Dirty Water", was a former Mouseketeer, and singer/keyboardist Larry Tamblyn, who sang the lead on many of the other Standells songs, is the brother of actor Russ Tamblyn and uncle of Amber Tamblyn, star of Joan of Arcadia. Dodd replaced original drummer Gary Leeds, who went on to fame as Gary Walker of The Walker Brothers. In 1967 John Fleckenstein (formerly of the group Love), joined the Standells. The group appeared in several low budget films of the 1960s, including "Get Yourself a College Girl" and cult classic "Riot on Sunset Strip", in which they performed the movie's title song. Lowell George, who would go on to play with Little Feat, briefly played guitar in the Standells prior to their breakup in 1969.
The Standells also made an appearance on the 1964-1966 television sitcom The Munsters in the episode "Far Out Munster". The band was an integral part of the show, and performed the songs "Come On and Ringo" and The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Furthermore, the group appeared on the television 1964-1965 sitcom The Bing Crosby Show, in the episode "Bugged by the Love Bugs", portraying the fictional rock group of the same name. They performed the songs "Someday You'll Cry" and "Come Here".
Despite the lyrics of "Dirty Water", which states, "Boston, you're my home." The Standells are not from Massachusetts. However, in 2007 the Massachusetts General Court officially decreed "Dirty Water" to be the "Official Victory Song of the Boston Red Sox" . Since 2004, the Standells have attended most every World Series at Fenway Park, including the final winning game in 2013. "Dirty Water" was written by their producer Ed Cobb. It is played after every home victory by the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins.
Dodd and Valentino left the Standells in 2009. Dick Dodd passed away in 2013.
The Standells still are actively performing today, and have been receiving 'rave reviews' from music critics. They recently headlined in 2013 at the Adams Ave. St. Fair, San Diego, CA, and the Ponderosa Stomp, New Orleans, Lousiana. Original Members Larry Tamblyn and John Fleck are still in the group, along with co-lead singer Mark Adrian and drummer Greg Burnham. The group has recently released a new album Bump on GRA Records. They been booked on an extensive East Coast tour from April - May, 2014. Learn more about the Standells by visiting http://www.standells-official.com and http://www.facebook.com/Standells
Hey Joe
The Standells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Huh! and that ain't cool
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mama down
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
Yeah!
Yes, I did, I shot her
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
Huh, yes I did I shot her
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
And I gave her the gun
And I shot her
Alright
Shoot her one more time again baby!
Yeah!
Oh dig it
Oh alright
Hey Joe,
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Hey Joe, I said
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
I'm goin' way down south
Way down to Mexico way
Alright
I'm goin' way down south
Way down where I can be free
Ain't no one gonna find me
Ain't no hang-man gonna
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
You better believe it right now
I gotta go now
Hey, Joe
You better run on down
Goodbye everybody
Hey hey Joe
The Standells's song Hey Joe is a classic rock song that tells a tale of a man named Joe who has caught his old lady messing around with another man. He then decides to take matters into his own hands and go down to shoot her, claiming that it is not cool. There is a conversation between Joe and another person who questions him about shooting his lady down and who then eventually asks him where he is going to go now. Joe responds by saying that he is headed way down south, to Mexico, where he can be free and where no one is going to find him. The song ends with Joe bidding farewell to everyone and running down.
The lyrics of the song may appear straightforward, but they tackle deep themes such as jealousy, violence, and murder. Joe's justifications for his violent actions are not thoroughly explored in the lyrics, so it is left to the listener's interpretation of why he felt justified in shooting his old lady. However, it is clear that the person Joe is singing to is not condoning his violence and is somewhat skeptical of his motives.
The song's popularity led to several covers, including the iconic one by Jimi Hendrix. It also inspired the creation of several other songs, most notably "Hey Joe, Where You Gonna Go?" by The Byrds. The song's violent undertones led to several radio stations banning it, but it still managed to climb the charts and be a hit. Today, Hey Joe remains a classic rock song that continues to be covered by various musicians.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your hand
Asking Joe where he is going with his gun.
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
Repeating the previous line, adding emphasis with an interjection.
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Joe is going down to shoot his partner.
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Joe's partner was caught cheating on him.
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Repeating the idea that Joe is going to shoot his partner.
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Further emphasizing the reason why Joe is going to shoot his partner.
Huh! and that ain't cool
Expressing Joe's disapproval of his partner's behavior.
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mama down
Asking Joe if he shot his mother down.
You shot her down now
Repeating the idea that Joe shot his mother.
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
Asking Joe if he shot his partner down.
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
Repeating the idea of Joe shooting his partner, emphasizing the finality of it by stating she was shot down in the ground.
Yes, I did, I shot her
Joe admits to shooting his partner.
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
Reiterating why Joe shot his partner: because he caught her cheating.
Huh, yes I did I shot her
Joe repeats that he shot his partner.
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
Reiterating the cheating situation.
And I gave her the gun
Joe gave his partner the gun he used to kill her, indicating a suicidal or mutually self-destructive relationship dynamic.
And I shot her
Finalizing the description of the murder.
Hey Joe,
Addressing Joe again.
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Asking Joe where he will go now that he has killed his partner.
Hey Joe, I said
Interrupting the previous question to re-address Joe.
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Repeating the previous question in a more urgent tone.
I'm goin' way down south
Joe is headed very far south.
Way down to Mexico way
Joe is going to Mexico.
I'm goin' way down south
Repeating the idea that Joe is headed far south.
Way down where I can be free
Joe is going to a place where he can be free from the consequences of his actions.
Ain't no one gonna find me
Joe believes he can go somewhere where no one will find him.
Ain't no hang-man gonna
No hang-man is going to try to hang Joe.
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
Further elaborating that Joe will not be executed.
You better believe it right now
Emphasizing the truth of the previous line: Joe won't be caught and executed.
I gotta go now
Joe is leaving now.
Hey, Joe
Addressing Joe once again.
You better run on down
Telling Joe to leave or run away.
Goodbye everybody
Finalizing Joe's departure.
Hey hey Joe
Finalizing the song with another address to Joe.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Billy Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sandsoftime1954
I've heard this done by so many. I don't think I ever heard a bad version. That speaks to just how good this song is. For what its worth ,I agree The Leaves the first and best.
@greglapointe1311
I love the sixties music especially the garage rock. This version is pretty good but for me Jimi's version is the best.
@esesenordenegro2064
This version look like it was performed by a new wave band. I like it.
@fasteddylove-muffin6415
Was going to ask, is this punk? I like this version better than The Leaves version.
@jamesaron1967
@@fasteddylove-muffin6415 This is good, but if there's a better version of this song than what The Leaves did it's The Soulbenders' rendition.
@kirkharrington2821
Wow What a amazing version of Jim love Larry Tamblyn organ riffs so much
@Wacokid48
best garage, rock, punk, pop band ever! saw them in Chicago 1966. They played with the Tradewinds, McCoys and the Rolling Stones. These guys blew the Stones away!! The McCoys were a close second!
@alanwilson839
Don't exaggerate son
@billturecki6685
Best punk band in the 60’s by far was the Kinks.
@arguingwithstupidpeople2047
This is IT - the best version of Hey Joe ever.