“Honky Tonk Hair”
Interview by American Songwriter
Mary Zalla, Bill DiLuigi & Taylor Borton are American Songwriter Make Some WAVs Lyric Contest Promotion winners for their song “Honky Tonk Hair.” American Songwriter caught up with them to get the story behind their lyrics.
How long have you been songwriting?
MZ – I’ve been a writer in one way, shape or form my whole life. I have written many song parodies since I was a kid. However, I only started writing original songs in January of 2023.
TB – I started writing poems when I was younger, then realized I could turn them into songs upon playing guitar. I’d say about 10 years!
BD – Since I was ten. I was a bored kid!
Why did you enter American Songwriter’s Make Some WAVsPromotion?
MZ – I love our song “Honky Tonk Hair” so much. It has such sass and personality, the song and the character in the song. I was obsessed dreaming about how a great demo could really bring it, and her, to life.
TB – “Honky Tonk Hair” is one of those songs you feel in a different way. It’s fun, sassy, and western, topped off with a catchy hook that deserves to be heard by a larger audience. I’m so glad my co-writer entered it!
BD – My co writer, Mary Zalla, found the opportunity.
What was the inspiration behind your song, “Honky Tonk Hair”?
MZ – It was our co-writer , performing artist/writer Taylor Borton’s, original idea. She threw it out and we all saw what a fun song it could be. It was such a joy to write and I think that joy manifested itself in the lyrics and the personality of the character.
TB – I shared the title with my co-writers Bill and Mary. We shared the same vision and bounced ideas back and forth for a few hours. I imagined a woman that just wanted to have fun, in a honky tonk. They really brought the song to life!
BD – Our co-writer, Taylor Borton, brought the title in. I was happy to work on it because it was so much fun.
Who are your all-time favorite songwriters and why?
MZ – Oh my gosh too many to count. Bill Withers for his story-telling, Carly Simon for one of the best first lines ever: “He walked into the party, like he was walking onto a yacht.”, Jimmy Webb because he drove such emotion into everyday experiences, Lori McKenna for her range and Ashley McBryde because I can’t hear “Bible and a 44” and not get tears in my eyes.
TB – My FAVORITE include John Prine, Lori McKenna and Jason Isbell. The way they craft a song into an image, almost like a movie, has inspired me immensely with my own writing. The ability to paint a picture and creatively use metaphors to create a story is magical.
BD – Guy Clark because he paints such a vivid picture. Springsteen and Jackson Browne as well because of their insight into human nature.
Are you planning to release any new music this year?
MZ – I am a lyricist not an artist but I write every day, mostly in the country genre but also for the holiday market including sync. Like every writer I am pursuing and hoping for cuts by artists as well as sync placements.
TB – As an artist, I’ve taken the year to focus on writing new material, which I plan to start releasing in 2025. I currently have an EP available on all streaming platforms!
BD – Yes I’m releasing a coffee house record called “The Mermaid and Other Re-imaginary Friends.” I’ve been writing songs for others as a pro in Nashville for 20 years . Writing my own songs is a labor of love.
What would you tell other artists who are considering entering the contest?
MZ – Go for it! Today! It’s not just that you can’t win if you don’t enter, though that’s true, but more importantly, I believe you have to manifest success. I started entering contests even when I knew my songs weren’t yet nearly good enough, but I knew this was the bar I was reaching for so I put myself in the game.
TB – Why not? Any new ears hearing a song, is a win in itself! It doesn’t matter if you win, or lose, it matters that you took the time to work hard on something you believe in!
BD – I was the grand prize winner in the overall contest a few years back. It was a great experience for exposure!
Read the winning lyrics below:
HONKY TONK HAIR
VERSE ONE
She’s an overtime kinda girl
Savin some bucks for the cut and curl
Lookin like dolly in 69
Closer to heaven teased up that high
Usually pulled back in a baseball cap
Y’all be careful, if ya strike a match
CHORUS
She’s wearing white rain in the neon sun
Making all the cowboys come undone
Tight Levi’s with a Friday night flare
Struttin like a scratch off millionaire’s
With her straight up, sprayed up
Decked out, downtown
Don’t care, honky tonk hair
VERSE TWO
First one dancin when the band starts to play
Mondays a thousand miles away
Forgetting the boss and the bills and the rent
It was worth that 25 she spent
There’s something to be said about her style
She’s a little bit extra in the half price isle
Chorus
BRIDGE
Brunette, blonde, short or long
Straight or wavy can’t go wrong
Chorus
We’re wearing white rain in the neon sun
Making all the cowboys come undone
Tight Levi’s with a Friday night flare
With our straight up, sprayed up
Decked out, downtown
Don’t care, honky tonk hair
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