Hey Joe cover

Hey Joe Ya Whore

Advanced contributor gordsd
posted 86 comments!

This post came out of a discussion between me and Rembow about using covers and changing the lyrics. I got this idea from listening to Patti Smith’s version of “Hey Joe.” She inserts her poetry at the intro and in the middle of the song changing the meaning and making it hers. She did the same thing with “Gloria.” So I did like-wise with “Hey Joe.” The song isn’t really done, I mean I need to work on my vocals and everything else, but this is deffinately where I’m going with it.

Lyrics:

Hey Joe, where ya goin with that gun in your hand?
Hey Joe, where ya goin with that gun in your hand?

I’m goin down to 4th Street, harass some workin girls—there’s legal and illegal.
I’m goin down to 4th Street, harass some workin girls—no permit.

Hey Joe, so now your harassin workin girls down on 4th Street now?
Hey Joe, so now your harassin workin girls down on 4th Street now?

You know I go to work every day and get paid at the end of the month—just do my job.
You know I go to work every day and get paid at the end of the month—just do what I’m told.

[ short Guitar break]

Hey Joe, you know those working girls aint the only whores in this town.
Hey Joe, you know those working girls aint the only whores in this town—Reno town.

You know I don’t get paid to think, just trying to make ends meet.
You know I don’t get paid to think, just trying to make ends meet.

Hey Joe, where ya goin with that gun in your hand?
Hey Joe, where ya goin with that gun in your hand?

Hey Joe, from one whore to another, we gotta take care of each other.
Hey Joe, from one whore to another, we gotta take care of each other.

clintsythe
Commented: January 8, 2013 at 12:41 PM()

So, I guess the message is, ‘everybody is selling something,’ yes? It’s an interesting departure from your previous efforts; shows depth.

gordsd
Commented: January 8, 2013 at 12:55 PM()

Thanks clintsythe! I try to think once and a while.

clintsythe
Commented: January 8, 2013 at 1:06 PM()

You made me laugh, out loud even! Btw, this piece shows more control over the sound stage. You record most of you material live, correct? I bet you put on a good show for the house.

gordsd
Commented: January 8, 2013 at 2:03 PM()

clintsythe, It just depends on the crowd. I usually do record live–sometimes I make use of the drum machine–hard to get the dm thing to speed up or slow down when I’m in the middle of a song though.

Rembow
Commented: January 8, 2013 at 6:23 PM()

Haha, awesome. Would be a good theme to Taxi Driver. I like the atmosphere of it, the sparse, lonely vibe. The chilly bass line. Nice, dirge-y tempo… says to me “What the fuck am I doing with my life?” Some reverb-heavy, distorted and sustained guitar chords might sound nice here. Some keyboard fills (maybe an intro). Man you could go anywhere with this. I definitely understand what you mean with using lyrics for an alternate meaning now. Nice.

gordsd
Commented: January 8, 2013 at 7:53 PM()

Thanks for the kind reply. Woody Guthrie did the same things. He would take a familiar folk song and melody and use it with his own and totally different words.

Rembow
Commented: January 8, 2013 at 8:14 PM()

He’s one I’ve been meaning to get into. I figure there’s nothing wrong with re-interpreting/covering as extensively as you want as long as the source is credited. Also, I noticed you mentioned Patti Smith somewhere on here, inspired me to listen to Horses for the first time in a few years. Made me feel like Dr. Seuss, haha.

gordsd
Commented: January 8, 2013 at 8:37 PM()

I didn’t really know who Patti Smith is until I saw her on TV about three years ago (I mean her catolog goes way beyond “Because the Night.”) The first time I watched her live on a youtube video doing “Horses/Land and Hey Joe” it just blew me away. I did get to go and see her once at the Mondavi Center in Davis. I had her sign an old 12″ single of “People have the Power” with her face on the front. She is really, really cool! I think I’ve been around and listened to alot of different kinds of music: rock, blues, country, punk, grunge, indy and the like, but she just sucks me in with her style: kinda rebelious but very kind too.

Rembow
Commented: January 8, 2013 at 9:01 PM()

She seems like she’d be cool as hell. That’s awesome you met her. Her book “Just Kids” is really great, sad too. I was just tripping over “Land”.. freakin epic, haha.