About the song
## Honky Tonk Women: A Rolling Stones Classic
**The Rolling Stones** have always been synonymous with rock and roll, and their 1969 hit “Honky Tonk Women” is a prime example of their enduring appeal. This iconic track, released as a single in April 1969, quickly climbed the charts and became one of the band’s most recognizable songs.
The song’s title immediately sets the tone, evoking images of raucous bars, country music, and carefree living. “Honky tonk” is a term used to describe a type of music and dance hall popular in the American South and West. The “women” in the title suggest a theme of celebration, hedonism, and perhaps a bit of mischief.
Musically, “Honky Tonk Women” is a blend of blues, country, and rock and roll. The driving rhythm, provided by Charlie Watts’s steady drumming and Bill Wyman’s bassline, propels the song forward. Keith Richards’s signature guitar riff, with its bluesy licks and catchy melody, is instantly recognizable and provides the backbone of the song. Mick Jagger’s vocals are full of energy and swagger, perfectly capturing the song’s playful and rebellious spirit.
The lyrics of “Honky Tonk Women” are simple yet effective, painting a picture of a carefree lifestyle. The song celebrates the joys of drinking, dancing, and socializing. Jagger sings about a woman who is “always on the run,” suggesting a life of adventure and excitement. The chorus, with its catchy refrain of “Honky tonk women, take me all night long,” is a celebration of pleasure and indulgence.
“Honky Tonk Women” was a significant commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It remains one of the band’s most beloved songs and a timeless classic of rock and roll. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its infectious energy, its catchy melody, and its celebration of a carefree and hedonistic lifestyle.
Video
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
Gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues
… I laid a divorcée in New York City
I had to put up some kind of a fight
The lady then she covered me with roses
She blew my nose and then she blew my mind
… It’s the honky tonk women
Gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues
It’s the honky tonk women
Gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues
… It’s the honky tonk women
Gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues