About The Song
“Honky Tonk Women” is a classic rock song by the iconic British rock band The Rolling Stones, released in 1969. The track showcases the band’s signature bluesy rock sound and has become one of their most recognizable and enduring hits.
Five facts about “Honky Tonk Women”:
- Composition and Recording: “Honky Tonk Women” was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The song was recorded in London in 1969 and features a distinctive guitar riff played by Richards that contributes significantly to its memorable sound.
- Stylistic Influence: The song incorporates elements of country and honky-tonk music, reflecting the band’s ability to blend different musical styles. The result is a unique and infectious rock tune with a twangy edge.
- Chart Success: “Honky Tonk Women” topped the charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom, showcasing The Rolling Stones’ global appeal. The single’s success was part of the band’s continued dominance during the late 1960s.
- Banned Lyrics: The original version of the song included explicit lyrics that were deemed inappropriate for radio play. The offending lyrics were censored, and the revised version became the widely known and commercially successful release.
- Album Inclusion: “Honky Tonk Women” was initially released as a stand-alone single but later included in the compilation album “Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)” and the U.S. version of “Let It Bleed.” It remains a staple in The Rolling Stones’ live performances and greatest hits collections.
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Lyrics
… I met a gin-soaked bar-room queen in Memphis
She tried to take me upstairs for a ride
She had to heave me right across her shoulder
‘Cause I just can’t seem to drink you off my mind… It’s the Honky Tonk Women
That gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues… I laid a divorcee in New York City
I had to put up some kind of a fight
The lady, then she covered me in roses
She blew my nose and then she blew my mind… It’s the Honky Tonk Women
That gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues
Yeah, alright… It’s the Honky Tonk, Honky Tonk Women
That gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues
It’s the Honky Tonk, Honky Tonk Women
That gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues