About the song
“Bartender’s Blues” is a captivating song originally written by James Taylor and released on his 1977 album *JT*. It also served as the B-side to Taylor’s hit single “Handy Man.” The song represents Taylor’s venture into country music, a departure from his usual genre, and presents a unique twist on the familiar country theme of a bartender listening to patrons’ troubles. Instead, “Bartender’s Blues” shifts the focus to the bartender’s own feelings of dissatisfaction and longing.
The song paints a vivid picture of a bartender who feels trapped in his job and yearns for escape. Through his eyes, the audience sees the struggles of working in a honky-tonk bar, filled with fleeting moments of solace and dissatisfaction. The bartender dreams of a “honky tonk angel” who might rescue him from his mundane existence. The song’s lyrics capture the bartender’s inner turmoil and the disillusionment of his everyday life, which Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic describes as an impression of life in a honky-tonk.
Critics have highlighted Taylor’s effort to bring a fresh perspective to the traditional country music narrative. Aaron A. Fox notes that the song embodies the classic metaphor of the bartender as a healer of social wounds but who becomes a symbol of the very discontent he tries to alleviate. Sue Simmons-McGinity points out that the “honky tonk angel” in this song does not conform to the typical country trope of becoming a wife and mother but represents a different kind of salvation.
The musical arrangement includes prominent contributions from Linda Ronstadt on background vocals and Dan Dugmore on pedal steel guitar, adding depth to Taylor’s performance. Despite its artistic merits, the song only reached #88 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
George Jones later covered “Bartender’s Blues,” releasing it as a single in 1977 and including it as the title track of his 1978 album *Bartender’s Blues*. Jones’ version of the song, which featured James Taylor providing background vocals, achieved considerable success, reaching #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The song became a staple in Jones’ live performances and was celebrated for its emotive delivery and Billy Sherrill’s production.
Jones’ rendition of the song has been praised for its powerful performance and is often seen as a prime example of how Jones could make a song his own. Despite Jones’ initial critique of his own over-the-top delivery, he later acknowledged that his interpretation had been influenced by his own vocal style and his admiration for Lefty Frizzell’s phrasing.
Overall, “Bartender’s Blues” stands out as a remarkable piece in both James Taylor’s and George Jones’ discographies, reflecting the depth and versatility of both artists. It remains a cherished song in the country music canon, celebrated for its insightful lyrics and compelling performances.
Video
Lyrics
Now I’m just a bartender, and I don’t like my work
But I don’t mind the money at all
I’ve seen lots of sad faces and lots of bad cases
Of folks with their backs to the wall
But I need four walls around me to hold my life
To keep me from going astray
And a honky tonk angel to hold me tight
To keep me from slipping away
I can light up your smokes, I can laugh at your jokes
I can watch you fall down on your knees
I can close down this bar, I can gas up my car
And I can pack up and mail in my keys
But I need four walls around me to hold my life
To keep me from going astray
And a honky tonk angel to hold me tight
To keep me from slipping away
Now the smoke fills the air in this honky tonk bar
And I’m thinkin’ ’bout where I’d rather be
But I burned all my bridges and I sunk all my ships
Now I’m stranded at the edge of the sea
I still need four walls around me to hold my life
To keep me from going astray
I need some honky tonk angels to hold me tight
To keep me from slipping away