This song is about a friend who was born into wealth. Everything was handed to him on a silver platter so he “just assumed things were easy”. His future was guaranteed and“built like a fortress”, whereas “mine is built like wet cement” (meaning; although I’m weak and unformed now, cement sets and hardens in time and becomes strong). The expression Hunky Dory was unknown to me at the time of writing. I called it “Honky Dory” for two reasons. Firstly, because it has a honky tonk piano vibe. Secondly, when I was young, an old workmate used to say “everything is Honky Dory” and it’s all “Mickey Duck” (meaning, good)! So that’s what I thought the term was until I heard about the album by David Bowie called Hunky Dory. Then I researched the term and found out I was using it wrong for years! Still, I prefer Honky.
The song points out to this rich friend that not everyone has it so easy. That opportunities and wealth don’t just fall into most people’s laps. It then says; you know, what? I don’t give a damn (about trying to get what you’ve got), I just want to sing in a rock & roll band! Tired old line I know, but it’s true for this writer!
Musically, some people say this song has a vibe similar to the Tom Petty song “Refugee”.
I hope you enjoy it!
– Stevie J
Lyric Video
HONKY DORY
Stevie J Mayer
You tell me I’m lookin’ happy
I ask you to look again
Behind your mask of sincerity
You don’t see the broken man within
So you think you got me summed up
You think I’ve got friends on request
But don’t you know that if I threw a party
I’d only need one chair for all the guests
Excuse my French, but I don’t give a damn
I just wanna sing in a rock roll band
I’m sick and tired of workin’ for the man
I just wanna sing in a rock & roll band
You think my life is Honky Dory
You think I’ve had my share of luck
You just assume things are easy
Because your life has been so Mickey Duck
I can’t explain it to you brother
‘Cos you’ve never even worked up a sweat
Your future’s built like a fortress
Whereas mine is built like wet cement
Excuse my French, but I don’t give a damn
I just wanna sing in a rock roll band
I’m sick and tired of workin’ for the man
I just wanna sing in a rock & roll band
A band, a band, a rock roll band oh, a rock roll band
A band, a band, a rock roll band oh, a rock & roll band
[INSTRUMENTAL]
Some people got it hard
But you’ve got it easy brother
Yeah, so so easy…
Released July 5, 2024
All instruments and vocals by Stevie J Mayer
Special thanks to Mark O’Connor for inspiration on the piano riff.
Recorded at Tempoetic
© Copyright. All rights reserved
Words & Music by Stephen James Maher
ISRC: AU-K4L-23-00050
One stop licensing available