Honky Tonk Song

Album: I Lived to Tell It All (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • During one bender in 1966, hard living country singer George Jones' wife, Shirley, tried to curb his drinking by hiding their car keys so he couldn't get to the nearest bar, which was eight miles away. Undeterred, Jones found the key was still in the ignition of his sit-on lawnmower, so set off at 5 mph before being pulled over by the police. This song, composed by Billy Yates and Frank J. Meyers, catalogues the lawnmower story:

    Let me explain before you put me in the tank
    She took my keys away and now she won't drive me to drink
  • Jones performed the song during a rare appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman to promote his I Lived to Tell It All album.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80s

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80sSongwriter Interviews

'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."