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 Where You Gonna Go
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 lyrics of "Hey Joe Where You Gonna Go" by The Standells deal with a man named Joe who is going to commit a violent act against his partner. He's caught her cheating on him and decides to go down and shoot her. The lyrics are delivered in a cool, nonchalant way, making Joe seem like the villain but also somehow making him seem sympathetic, as if he has no other choice. The song then takes a turn at the end as Joe decides to run away to Mexico to escape the consequences of his actions. The refrain of "Hey Joe" throughout the song serves as a questioning reminder, almost taunting Joe with his own actions.
The lyrics of the song were actually written by Billy Roberts, a relatively unknown singer-songwriter who recorded it in 1962. However, it was popularized by a number of artists, including The Leaves, who had a hit with it in 1966, and of course The Standells, who recorded their version in 1966 as well. The Standells' cover is particularly notable for its gritty, garage rock sound, which was a hallmark of the genre at the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe, where you goin′ with that gun of your hand
Hey Joe, where are you taking the gun that you have in your hand?
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
I am going to shoot my wife because I caught her cheating on me with another man, and that is not acceptable.
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
Yes, I shot my wife because I caught her cheating on me, and I made sure to shoot her myself.
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
Hey Joe, where are you planning to escape now? I am going down south, all the way to Mexico, to hide from the consequences of my actions.
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
I am going all the way to Mexico because I want to be free, and I know that no one will be able to find me or punish me for what I have done.
Hey, Joe
You better run on down
Goodbye everybody
Hey hey Joe
Hey Joe, you better get moving and leave before anyone knows what you have done. Goodbye everyone.
Writer(s): William M. Roberts
Contributed by Muhammad F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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.