HONKY TONK^©

instrumental

Page last updated: 14 Apr 2009

Intro

HONKY TONK is an instrumental song written by Billy Butler, Bill Doggett, Clifford Scott and Berisford "Shep" Shephard. In 1956, Bill Doggett had a major hit on Billboard's pop charts, and a number one R&B single when he released his version as a two-part single in August that year. HONKY TONK is Doggett's signature song, and according to Billboard, the biggest R&B single of 1956.

The song became one of the basic songs of the R&B and rock & roll repertoire, and was recorded by many instrumental groups. The Beach Boys included it on their 1963 album Surfin' USA.

Springsteen's live performances

Bruce Springsteen reportedly covered HONKY TONK back in 1965 with early band The Castiles. Back then, The Beach Boys smash album Surfin' USA was very influential, and The Castiles (as well as Van Zandt's 1965 band The Shadows) used to cover a few songs from that album.

Springsteen played the song once more, during the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour, on 16 Jul 1978 at Municiple Auditorium, New Orleans, LA.

Notes

Not to be confused with HONKY TONK WOMEN, the 1969 song by The Rolling Stones that was also covered by Bruce Springsteen.