Concrete Blonde – Joey

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Joey, baby - don't get crazy
Detours, fences...I get defensive

I know you've heard it all before
So I don't say it anymore
I just stand by and let you
Fight your secret war
And though I used to wonder why
I used to cry till I was dry
Still sometimes I get a strange pain inside
Oh, Joey, if you're hurting so am I

Joey, honey - I got some money
All is forgiven. Listen, listen

But if I seem to be confused
I didn't mean to be with you
And when you said I scared you
Well I guess you scared me too
But we got lucky once before
And I don't want to close the door
And if you're somewhere out there
Passed out on the floor
Oh Joey, I'm not angry anymore

And if I seem to be confused
I didn't mean to be with you
And when you said I scared you
Well I guess you scared me too
But if it's love you're looking for
Then I can give a little more
And if you're somewhere drunk and
Passed out on the floor
Oh Joey, I'm not angry anymore
Angry anymore, angry anymore

Send "Joey" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by dsfire

Track duration: 04:07

"Joey" as written by Johnette Lin Napolitano

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Joey song meanings
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34 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I never understood this song until now. I understand because I've been dating an alcoholic for over a year and a half. The song speaks to me from beginning to the end. Joey is an alcoholic and in this song, she is in love with him and is willing to take all the blame and do whatever it takes to get him back after having the two have separated due to a falling out. She might or might not realize that because she's an enabler and co dependent because she's willing to keep him in her life no matter what. She doesn't even try to talk him into quitting drinking or seeking help anymore (she's tried before) because she's afraid of pushing him away. So, she remains silent as she watches him hurt himself. He can't keep a job or he can't hold onto any money because he spends it all on booze. they're always in a hole and she wants to draw him back by telling him that she'll take care of the money situation..I do that. She just wants to make him happy and secure. the truth is that no one will ever be able to make him happy. It hurts her to see him suffer this way because he's killing himself. She is willing to take the burden, the blame, and love him unconditionally for his love. It's a really sad love song. A love I wouldn't wish upon anyone. :-(
    Flag joeybravoon July 01, 2012   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:Anyone who has ever been in a relationship with someone who has a drinking problem knows exactly what this song is about. I've spent many nights listening to this song on repeat. Even today I can't hear it without reliving the helpless heartache that comes with loving someone who doesn't love themselves enough to quit. I'll always love you, JB. Wherever you may be, I hope you're okay, and know that I'm not angry anymore.
    Flag maebelle11on March 17, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It credits this song to John Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. Although they have a song called "Joey", I'm pretty sure it's not this Joey. It was the Concrete Blonde front lady who wrote it i think.

    That's my kind of girl! Humph!
    Flag bigredballoonon February 13, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I agree with what everyone has been saying about the drinking problems however i find more in this song than just the drink. For example if you listen to an acoustic version i found there are a couple of altered lines such as 'passed out on HER floor' and 'ill save all my money'
    Therefore i believe that there are also problems with unfaithfulness and another woman or possible other women in general. To me i take this song as a woman desperately trying to save the relationship when the man is uninterested and spends more time with drinking and other women. It personally is very significant to me as i had such a similar experience with a man called Joey and whilst some of our most intense and closest moments were when he was drinking, away from that he had a 'dont care' attitude and a string of other women, and i can strongly relate to the 'you said i scared you' as this guy was strongly afraid of commitment and 'im not angry anymore' as all i used to hold was resentment for this guy and his actions but that went over time and now i still have fond feelings and memories of him
    Flag blondie91on February 03, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The Song was about her relationship with Marc Moreland from Wall of VooDoo. He died of liver failure in 2003
    Flag Bustoff55on December 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm falling in love with this band. Oh, if only I were born 10 years earlier than I was. Then I could've been around when a lot of my favorite bands were at their peaks. :(

    Flag pleasebeatme92on December 04, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I am living this song right now in my life. My husband is a wonderful caring man, but when he drinks he becomes a different person. I can't stand to be around him when he drinks, and I get angry at him for drinking. I have been to Al-Anon, which tries to teach you compassion for the drinker. It helped for a minute, but because of my own circumstances, it wasn't the whole solution. So here we try and try, and keep ending up in the same argument. I get angry, then it turns to hurt and sadness, and eventually forgiveness. This song describes it to a tee.

    There is one line that I think needs correcting though. "I've got some money" I believe is really "I've got THE money". It makes more sense. I think saying "I've got some..." sounds like a perv offering a little kid candy, like a lure. The whole money thing could be numerous situations, but alcoholic seem to get into trouble at times, and may need money to get out of it. One example, he got paid, went on a binge and lost his whole paycheck. Another is he lost his job, and can't pay the rent, so he went out on a binge, and may do something rash, so that is why she says "don't get crazy". Well anyways, this is a very moving song for anyone who is really close to an alcoholic and the challenges of loving them despite their illness, and yes it is an illness.
    Flag LauraH1963on October 15, 2010   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    My Opinion:This song means so much to me.. My dads name was Joey and he killed himself when I was about 5, He had drinking problems and so does my mum, This song reminds me a lot of their relationship when he was still alive, and I can also relate to it because even though I was that young, I could see he had problems, and for a long time I've been angry at him for leaving us, but this song helps me understand and in a way it helps me let go of the anger and confusion. I know when I hear this its exactly how my mum feels about my dad..
    This was probably completely useless to all of you but thats what the song means to me..
    Flag CherryDarlingxoon May 06, 2010   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:it's about being in love with an alcoholic.
    Flag dark_eyez_666on April 29, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:no way man sooo off this song is about that one time when joey was messin with his dog and like kissin on her and stuff. and then he got like way to much dog druel in him and he started eatin dog food.! i know man hidden meanings are hard to find but i can safely say i know folks i know ive mastered it thank you and good night -gunther
    Flagged cdomeieron February 24, 2010   Link

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