Shaboozey "A BAR SONG"

Every once in a while, your congenial editor is prompted to look at Billboard's Hot 100\macomments made in passing. Shaboozey's "A Bar Song" recently surfaced as an object of interest. As of February 8th, it has been on the Hot 100 for 42 weeks and is still rated at number 5. Also, it is tied for the record of being number 1 for 19 weeks. "Wow!" one might think. "This must be some song." But, no, it is easily forgettable. I know that because I've listened to it twice and cannot even recall the words or the melody—not even the chorus.

And it should be forgotten because it does not have any redeeming value. It contains coarse language and frequently takes the Lord's name in vain. "Oh, well, it's about drinking alcohol. Naturally, you'd be against it." Well, sure, I'm opposed to people getting drunk. Is there some value in achieving a state of intoxication? But in this case the song has zero positives. Some "drinking" songs may have a message or an amusing twist to them. At least in "Margaritaville," Jimmy Buffett finally owns up to the fact that his being driven to drink is his own fault. Alan Jackson's, "It's Five O'clock Somewhere," is somewhat clever in establishing the frustrations that cause a person to drink, and Jimmy Buffett shows up before the song ends.

But "A Bar Song" is neither clever nor amusing. The first stanza mentions frustrations that the crowd is trying to forget, but they include only the normal things that everybody faces, such as higher prices for groceries and gasoline. Working at a regular job isn't cutting it; so, the solution for Shaboozey is to go spend money that he doesn't have on liquor. Below is the chorus.

Someone pour me up a double shot of whiskey.
They know me and Jack Daniels got a history.
There's a party downtown near Fifth Street.
Everybody at the bar gettin' tipsy.

The disturbing thing is that such a mediocre "song" continues to enjoy such popularity. Is this what society has come to? Who will be inspired to excel at a skill, a job, a career? Or being a faithful husband or wife? In fact, who would be motivated to be even average by this "song"? And where's the verse where a fight breaks out and somebody pulls a knife? Has Shaboozey never heard "Stagger Lee"? People need hope, which comes through the gospel—not loose morals.