Joey

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s the Zoo Crew spinning some soul-stirring magic with Joey by Concrete Blonde, that heart-wrenching gem from their 1990 Bloodletting album, dripping with gothic vibes and raw, aching love. This track’s a deep cut of emotion, written by frontwoman Johnette Napolitano about a close friend—a fellow musician—battling heroin addiction, pouring her grief and hope into lyrics that hit like a desert storm. In a 2013 Songfacts interview, Johnette shared how the song started as a wordless melody that haunted her, with lyrics she delayed writing ‘til the last moment ‘cause they cut so close, scribbled in a cab en route to a Philly studio session. Fans on X still get misty-eyed, one posting last month about a high school love lost to addiction, mirroring the song’s plea of “if you’re hurting, so am I,” while another TikToker called it the ultimate ‘90s cry-along, perfect for starry-night drives.

Dive into this cosmic tidbit: Joey was Concrete Blonde’s biggest hit, ruling the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for four weeks and sneaking to #19 on the Hot 100, their only pop chart blip. The music video, with Johnette belting in a shadowy bar to a lone, bottle-clutching soul, hit MTV’s Buzz Bin in ‘90, painting that love-versus-addiction struggle in stark, haunting visuals. Reddit threads buzz with fans swapping tales—like one who wore out their Bloodletting cassette on city bus rides, or another who caught the band live in ‘93 at a tiny venue, saying Johnette’s voice felt like a warm, fierce embrace. Johnette herself told CultureBrats that Joey was when she first felt the world listening, a moment of connection that still resonates when fans share stories of singing it to friends fighting their own secret wars.

Now, let’s drift back to where this wildflower bloomed, ‘cause Concrete Blonde’s origin is pure L.A. post-punk poetry. Johnette Napolitano, a singer-bassist with a voice like weathered velvet, linked up with guitarist Jim Mankey—ex-Sparks bassist—in 1982, kicking things off as Dream 6 in Hollywood’s gritty club scene. With drummer Michael Murphy, they dropped an indie EP in ‘83, blending punk’s snarl with goth’s shimmer and pop’s sneaky hooks. By ‘86, as Concrete Blonde, their self-titled debut set the stage, but it was relentless gigs in smoky dives that forged their cult following. Bloodletting, with Roxy Music’s Paul Thompson on drums, was their lightning strike, fusing blues, arena rock, and Johnette’s fearless lyricism into a gold-certified classic that still feels like a moonlit confession.

Zoo Freaks, if you’re vibing with this, connect with the source: check out Johnette’s official website for her latest musings and solo projects, follow the band’s legacy on the Concrete Blonde Facebook page, and soak up Johnette’s artsy posts on Instagram. No active X account for the band, but fans keep the fire burning in groups like True Concrete Blonde and Concrete Blonde Music Discussion and Fan Experiences, where you can swap stories, rare live clips, and love for that alt-rock alchemy. Keep spinning those records, freaks, and let Joey carry you through the night!