Hoyt Axton - Boney Fingers

[madkatz5083]

I drove from West Central Texas to Paradise Valley Montana in 1981 listening to this album in 26 hours. I was tired but jammin' all the way!

[stwbill]

Haskell's Hotel, Piseco New York mid-late 70's. Helen - let's see those boney fingers!

[RalphieboyX1]

Renee Armand, Axton's then-backup singer, wrote and sangthis song with him

[szem02]

good song

i could listen to it all day

from JERICHO.

[FUKKAKE]

eat your heart out Johnny Cash

[felicia13joseph]

i love this song,i listen to this song everytime things get rough in life,for me ,reminds me no matter what that things will get alittle better in the morning

[john1968326]

my art teacher played this for my class

[sonyaclay]

Pine Tavern Juke Box, Dr. Pepper in a deposit Bottle, circa 1975... Floyd County, Virginia

[Wayne92953]

I remember hearing this song away back in '75 when I was in college. It didn't get a whole lot of airplay so I didn't hear it very much, but I loved it. I haven't heard this song in 36 years and I love it more than ever. I never did find out who the female singer was. Hoyt Axton is one of the most underrated and unappreciated singers/songwriters of our time. Many thanks to whoever posted this song.

[toogawnjawn]

I listened to this song when I was a young kid, I haven't heard it in years, I also enjoyed the slide show, got choice. Thanks

[HillbillyM]

I loved this song when I was a kid I'm glad I ran onto it at 40 I still love it

[gazeboqueen]

Every time I hear it, I howl along. Don't even need to be drunk! Who sings the female harmony?

[kglocke]

@gazeboqueen Renee Armand

[MrEdgarCayce]

My sister turned me on to this song in 1975 in College....go figure...

[MrEdgarCayce]

My sister turned me on to this song in 1975 in College....go figure...

[TheAntelwi]

He he,... Play this to people learning English ;D

[wallashakalla]

sang this at work the other day. Got a crusty look from my boss. LOL!

[KayWal1981]

@wallashakalla That's Epic haha

[theroob]

the 4 who thumbs down never had a job.

[hilloo56]

a lot of truth in this song

[whatsadickbird]

Hey everyone this is a very little knownfact about this song but my great uncle was one of hoyt's dear friends and he told me the original chorus lyric was to be "SMELL my FINGerrrrs" and it was a coming of age about the young adolescent Axton becoming a man, but the label deemed it too suggestive and it was changed to be about "hard work". Some would say its still a metaphor...

[stnyblue]

lol

[Tigermoon1950]

Be honest...do you sing along to the chorus:

"Work your fingers to the bone, whaddya get? Bony fingers. Bony finges."

[slimfchance1]

I remember this one from the radio, too. I didn't know who the great Hoyt Axton was then. Steppenwolf did justice to a couple of his songs in the 70s, as well. Any body know where to find a copy of Hoyt singing "Snowblind Friend"?

[nawereman]

very good

[Gerrie64]

This song holds sad memories for me, It was playing on the radio when I found out that my Grandpa had died. I was 9 years old back in 1974.

I use to like it and thought it was funny, I still like the song only now it brings tears to my eyes.

[RattlerMan33]

I have loved this song since I was a kid.

[diffydunco]

this is for our shirley

diffydunco

[MeisterMumpiz]

3 people like justin bieber xDD

[GRIFpenguin]

Oh wow, I guess Country music has sucked for a long time.

[kds531]

Used to play this on the jukebox at a little old bar and grill called Chink and Kates way back in the 70's. The woman singing with him is Janie Frickie. Thanks for posting this. If y'all can find a copy of his Spin Of The Wheel CD grab it. Some classic Hoyt on that 1

[helloshawn100]

Lol, this song is so funny.

[1973cableguy]

hell yeah, been there done that. This is exactly how i feel somedays, hell... this is how I feel right now. Hey, life is good though. Wife, kids, house still standing, counting my blessings today.

[MrBoomerang6]

I]m sorry. The one singing with Hoyt is Linda Rhonstadt.( Hope I spelled it right)

[redsfanstu]

@MrBoomerang6 No, you did not spell it right! And no again, it is not Linda Ronstadt singing along with Hoyt, I believe the woman's name is Renee Armand! And yes this song is a classic! RIP Hoyt!

[primeprinefan]

@redsfanstu yes, absolutley Renee Armand ... got the liners in front of me ... great song

[musicalidea]

Free the markets: raise minimum wage!

[JawsJaws]

I used to hear this song all the time on the jukebox when I was a kid and my Dad took me to the bar. Tomorrow will be a year since he's passed away. He would always get me beef jerky and Cherikee Red pop. Also onion and garlic chips. RIP Dad. Love Ya

[MrBoomerang6]

The woman singing with Hoyt is Emmylou Harris.

[mwduck]

@MrBoomerang6 that's definitely not Emmylou. predates her, and not enough twang in the voice

[mickerin64]

Didn't Lorette Lynn record this also? Loved Hoyt--who is singing with him?

[xxXZatarraXxx]

So True.  G Damit!

[profhum]

In 2010 this song doesn't sound so funny anymore. "Work your fingers to the bone, what do you get? Boney fingers." In America, that was supposed to be a kind of joke. Now it seems like reality. It could be an anthem for the Tea Party, all those people with boney fingers. As Dylan once said, "it's a hard rain's gonna fall."

[mushaellis]

it always makes me feel happy to listen to this thank you

[mrrrks39]

I heard this song in Florida once, when I was about 10 years old. thought it was funny

[Tweekz8up365]

i listen to this song every time i get drunk, and that's alot

[Tigermoon1950]

@Tweekz8up365 Dayum...I'm flyin on Flight 86 Proof myself.....whoaaaaaaaaaaa.....­.look out

[Tweekz8up365]

@Tigermoon1950 lol hell yeah, glad u commented i re-done my favorites and forgot about this song, shame on me

[babzc]

@Tweekz8up365 thats a very sad declaration , really.

[gardenguyvic]

@Tweekz8up365 My mom is drinking and had me look it up. Pretty cool song.

[Tweekz8up365]

@gardenguyvic tell your mom to take it easy, and DON'T "work ur fingers to tha bone" or you'll get "boney fingers" lol, your mom is the shit buddy, I promise you!!!

[dmhappy2777]

Thank You for the post

[freakboy1967]

Happy Labor Day to all!

[marycarnival]

I saw Hoyt Axton at the Oregon State Fair when I was about 10...which would put it at abot 1985...I got to meet him. He was soooo nice and signed my uncle's hat, and gave me a big ol' bear hug! I remember him performing this song, and whenever the break in the chorus would come up, the crowd went, 'WOO-HOO!'. 'Work your fingers to the bone, what do you get......WOO-HOO! Boney Fingers!'

[barbj7121]

lmao!!oh my mom use to sing this around the house when i was little??:)

[DanPatchVideos]

I have a childhood memory of this song, we were way up north in Minnesota at a camp for school, we walked to the "town" which was mostly this tavern where we ordered pizza, and we saw this song title on the jukebox "Bony Fingers"!?!? We played it like ten times until they kicked us out LOL. I think we were about 12 years old. Great to hear it again :-)

[poshandmosh80]

I have boney finger's!!!!

[comtedelafere0]

Does anyone have a copy of his Pet Parade song? I would say that the Pet Parade albumn was his best. RIP Hyot.

[georgeledon]

is that Janie Frickie or Linda Rondstat? I just know there ain't no more Hoyt Axtons running around and we sure could use some real characters like him. 2 boney fingers up Hoyt.

[BradloRaul]

@georgeledon

This is definitely not Linda Ronstadt.

[CrocNGator]

@BradloRaul It was Renee Armand......

[pikapepper]

I remember this song when I grew up. Hoyt Axton is sure missed...He did the song for the short lived show Flo...Now how many of you are old enough to remember that one. He also did a few other appearances on Dukes of Hazzard. These are my days as a teen down at Deets lake in southern Indiana.

[mekugi]

@pikapepper

Kiss my grits! I'm with ya, I remember that...and Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore...

[CadillacL]

@pikapepper I sure remember :)

[eydie57]

i love this song. i also love another hoyt axton song called "when the morning comes." do you have that?

[FoxRunMan]

Flash of Fire: check out You Tube video "Hoyt Axton On Austin City Limits Part 4"

[BarbaraJaneP]

Renee Armand

Google her. There is alot of info.

[jrdill1929]

The song was Joy to The World not Jerimah was a Bullfrog.

[deloufu]

@jrdill1929 That's true but he also co-wrote Ringo Star's NO NO SONG let's not forget that.

[oldermusiclover]

hOYT DID A SONG YEARS AGO , AND THE LYRICS WENT SOMETHING LIKE

THE THINGS YOU SAY AND DO SCARE ME HALF TO DEATH. CAN'T REMEMBER

THE TITLE. PLEASE HELLP AND POST.

ALSO A SONG CALLED LITTLE WHITE

MOON

[SirCoughsalot]

Flash of Fire.

[rlaito59]

How true!

[mawzaroo1]

I have always loved this song.... It is so true to real life

[FoxRunMan]

According to Wikipedia article on Hoyt, it is Renee Armand (never heard of her).

[queenofrock62]

Does anyone know who the woman singing in this is? I love this and remember it from when I was a child.

[weenrocker]

Her name Is Linda Lovelace. She played In Debbie does Dallas and was famous for being able to deep throat a 12 Inch DICK!!!!!! Without gagging!!

[GARYTEXAS]

you know less about porn than you do country music pick one and learn suppin' 'bout it

[2dlimit]

I know Renee personally. She is a wonderful person. Sang back up for John Denver for years. You can hear her on the album live from Sydney on Fly Away. She lives in Leipers Fork, Tn and was married to one of my best friends ever until his death. She's got a great voice.

[Reba24u]

Wow memories..my kids when they were young wanted me to play this over ad over until I thought I never wanted to hear it again. Now I am listening to it over and over . Life is funny that way

[dabidosan]

I don't know why, but this song reminds me of Roger Miller's "My Uncle used to love me but she died". I still like it though- I remember ol' Hoyt best from the Gremlins movie.

[isabelydancer00]

August 2009 - mmy first experience working in a fish cannery. Work your fingers to the bone, what do you get? Boney fingers!!!

[THB79]

Yee-Haw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­

[bigtimechiefn]

This song could be a hit today! I remember this from when I was youg. My family would get me up and make me sing stuff like this to amuse the adults. Must have sang better then than I do now!

[daffydoug]

Great memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tarraco7]

That is hard to find a concert of his, I can not see it.

[maregee]

story of my life

[clarkoverby1422]

maybe things will get a little better. awesome tune. thanks,clark

[jazzbassross]

I'm a metal-head, but this song is GREAT!

We miss you, Hoyt!

[RockGuitarVideos]

me too, I just found out that Hoyt Axton wrote "The Pusher" that Steppenwolf covered. This guy was great.

[PurpleCantaloupe79]

I love love love this song.

My mom used to play this song in the car driving from Colorado to Arizona and sing it so loud. lol. Good times.

[glynnth]

One of the few country songs I actually like!

[DNM35]

a classic from my childhood...so many memories from just this song ..its nice to see it is still enjoyed by so many :-)

[ossamotocross]

Yes - its a classic - we used to sing it back in the 70s - great tune!

[ChrisDan915]

we remember things that are dear

[ghostofgettysburg]

I remember my daughter when she was 3 loved this song........boney finners

[stumptacular]

what an amazing song... just try to get this out of your head now that you have given it an ear.

[383strokerchevy]

does anybody have the song, when the morning come bye hoyt axton, could not find it on you tube.

[cargue1]

Does anyone know what key this song starts in?

Everything I find says D,A7 & G but it doesn't seem to match the original. Help!

[vireogilvus]

Sounds like is just A, D, and E (with maybe some E7).

[deloufu]

I will say this Hoyt to me was an all around talent. Singing Acting & Song Writing. Two songs come to mind in 1971 Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World" Hoyt co-wrote that one & Ringo Star's "No No Song" in 1975.

[estelle715]

Wow! Such a talented writer,just like his mom.The apple didn't fall far from the tree. I also remember when this 1st came out. It was not only a catchy tune, but a catchy phrase. All over ppl were singing or saying "Boney Fingers".

[ddavis413]

Love that Hoyt. Would love to hear his ren dition of "Drop Kick Me Jesus"!

[mikevjm]

I was born in 89 and i kno and love this song tru and blu, last fam holiday this song came on and the house full of ppl started singing

[buickbrat]

God danged!..That song brings back childhhod memories...:)

[johnrunion]

this song hit when i was in junior high. it was the first or at the very least one of the very first country songs that contained (minor) profanity that i ever heard. everyone was taken by surprise!

[Rollin558]

I still remember the first time I heard this song and I've never forgotten it. Thanks for the post.

[pax41]

Brings back lots of memories. My father-in-law used to play it on the radio station he worked at when I was dating his daughter.

[ZayrenS]

I can't believe people listened to this...

[SlowwHand]

You listened to it. ;)

[licklolly35]

i totally forgot about this song thanks for finding it and shareing it, with all o fus, man mamories.

[licklolly35]

i love hoyt axton, and i remmeber this  song when i was little, i think its a great song, catchy, i heard nicolette sheridon, was the backup to this, are backuped for hoyt on some of his songs

[DarceyAchin]

Yay one of my fav. Hoytt songs. Work your fingers to the bone what do you get, Bony Fingers!

[larafox66]

what a funny and true song! your very good and entertaining video together with the nice melody - a pleasure! thank you!

regards from Germany!

[BoisvenuePSR]

Great song

[barrygioportmorien1]

Great song.

[Mr911cerrera]

I saw Hoyt in Berkley at Fraight And Salvage in 71 or 72 Comander Cody there also that was a fun time to be in Berkeley

[biffmercury]

I remember this song. I'd never have believed there was a song by this title had I not heard it. Thanks for posting.

[ginamree]

Who is the lady singing with Hoyt?

[toshabaker]

Renee Armand is the lady in question.

[ginamree]

Thanks for replying. I've never heard of her. Has she recorded anything else?

[toshabaker]

Oh, I just googled the info, I'm no expert on the matter :). However, she did have a couple of solo albums, one was named The Rain Book (2004) and the other was In Time (not sure of the year). Apparently, she also collaborated with the Carpenters on their Christmas album Bless The Beasts And The Children.

[honujimi]

I saw Hoyt one night at a place on the coast by Petaluma, Ca. back around 1980 or so. The venue was one of those classic coastal converted hotel to bar/restaurant kind of places from the 40's. We danced on the wood floor and drank whiskey by the shot. Barbecue oysters were the 'special'.

Hoyt was great.......we had fun.

My friend, who drove us over there, got drunk (to his wifes chagrin) and I had to drive home.

Salud!

[ginmillsinger]

I was just talking about this song, to a friend in Germany. He's a Country DJ, and hasn't heard this one yet! :cD Thanks for posting this!

[MuddyPawprint]

Hi ginmillsinger - Your Welcome...i have never heard this song either until about 2 weeks ago when my dad was telling me about it. so i had to download it and now i am hooked.... i love the song!

[derTommy]

@ginmillsinger

Bu he will know the car @ 0:22 :D good old Trabant from the DDR