Introduction
“Little Miss Honky Tonk,” written by Ronnie Dunn and recorded by the country duo Brooks & Dunn, was released on February 13, 1995 as the third single from their album Waitin’ on Sundown. The track became a number‑one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and stands as one of the duo’s signature honky‑tonk anthems .
Penned by Ronnie Dunn, the song is an ode to a “barroom queen”, capturing the grit and glamour of a night‑owl heroine who owns the dance floor—embodying the classic honky‑tonk spirit of rowdy fun and magnetic performance . Billboard critic Deborah Evans Price praised it as a “nice taste of the duo’s rockier side” and noted it marked the first country song to use the phrase “buckle bunny” in its lyrics .
The accompanying music video, directed by Sherman Halsey and released in early 1995, visually dramatizes the song’s story. In it, Kix Brooks magically transforms a female mechanic’s rusty station wagon into a sleek black pickup truck using his guitar. She then appears in a polka‑dot dress and enters a honky‑tonk beauty pageant. Ultimately, she wins the title of “Little Miss Honky Tonk” and leaves the bar with cheering patrons .
With a length of around three minutes, the song blends traditional country instrumentation with an energetic rock‑tinged edge, showcasing the duo’s ability to bridge boot‑scootin’ rhythms and storytelling flair. It also served as the B‑side to the album’s single “Silver and Gold” .
“Little Miss Honky Tonk” captures Brooks & Dunn at one of their creative peaks—combining Ronnie Dunn’s confident songwriting with a bold visual concept. As part of the Waitin’ on Sundown album, it helped cement their reputation as masters of both heartfelt ballads and rowdy, dance‑floor‑ready hits in the mid‑1990s country music scene.
Video
Lyrics
I get out on the redneck side every now and then
Call up my baby, she comes over and the party begins
Yeah she’s a slick nickel, she’s right on the money
I wouldn’t give her up for a thousand buckle bunnies
I’m her big cat daddy, she’s my little Miss Honky Tonk
She’s got my number, knows my favorite songs on the jukebox
Goes to gettin’ down like crazy and the whole place rocks
Yeah we’ll have a few and get to feelin’ right
She’ll be my queen bee I’ll be her neon knight
Well I’m her big cat daddy, she’s my little Miss Honky Tonk
Oh, oh I love her so
Stand back, give her room boys and watch her go
Yeah, she’s a looker, heads turn when she comes through the door
A show stopper when she gets to goin’ out on the floor
We leave all our troubles and cares way behind us
I feel like a king when I’m out with her highness
I’m her big cat daddy, she’s my little Miss Honky Tonk
Oh, oh I love her so
Stand back, give her room boys and watch her go
Yeah we leave all our troubles and cares way behind us
I feel like I’m a king when I’m out with her highness
I’m her big cat daddy, she’s my little Miss Honky Tonk
Yeah I’m her big cat daddy, she’s my little Miss Honky Tonk
Oh, I’m her big cat daddy, she’s my little Miss Honky Tonk