30 Days of Writing: They played our song (3/30)
Jun 03
This post is written in conjunction with the 30 Days of Writing, a blog challenge devised by Nicky and Mike at “We Work For Cheese.” I’ll be participating throughout the month of June. If interested, you can see my post with the details of the challenge.
Please note that some of these posts will be serious, some will be normal, and some will be an attempt at humor. This one is on the fun side.
Bittersweet.
Ahh, this six-plus-minute song really brings back memories.
This song wasn’t just mine. No, it was the song of a whole place. Back in the day, while still in my early 20s, this song was one we used to hear at our local watering hole. Several of us would request it nightly and we’d enjoy the tune.
Once a night.
The song would start with the nice guitar riff and we’d be swallowing down a couple of cold ones as the music picked up and half the bar sang along.
Bittersweet played at different times of the night, but not usually until the handful of us who really got into the song were there.
Ahhh, the crazy life of a 20-something just enjoying life, a few beers and some good friends.
The one bartender always played it for us. He knew we’d up our tips with that song. We’d buy a pitcher or two and have a good time. No problem.
It’s only six or so minutes, so why not?
Keep the customers happy, right.
But not all bartenders think the same, you see. There was one bartender in there who was as moody as they come. Many called her a bitch. I liked her. I never had problems with her. I also didn’t do the things that irritated her — slam a glass on the bar when I was ready for a refill or call her “bartender” or something like that.
Alas, as I said, she was a bit moody at times.
It was a Tuesday or Wednesday night when the regular “crew” came in and ordered up some beers.
We requested “Bittersweet.”
The answer?
“I’m sick of that song and not playing it anymore.”
We were flabbergasted. So we had a few drinks, played some fooseball and went back to the bar.
The song was requested once again.
At this point, she now started to get peeved. No was the continual answer. If I remember right, there were four or five of us that night. And no was an answer we wanted to hear.
That song must be played.
We took up a collection of $5 per person. A few others at the bar chucked in a couple of bucks. When all said and done, there was — give or take — $30 on the bar as an offer to pay her to play this song.
One hell of a tip, I’d say. I don’t think she’d have made that much on a slow night like that anyway.
Still a no.
A few minutes later, the other bartender came in. We told him of the issue, he accepted the tip and played the song.
Let’s just say the other bartender was flipping mad.
We never asked her to play the song for us again. I’m pretty sure our tips showed it, too.
On the flip side, the other bartender continued to play us the song. Eventually, the song played its course in the bar and faded away, rarely getting a play.
But for a while, it was “our song” for a group of us.
Every time I hear that song now, I think of those times and remember the fun we used to have back in the days.
Bittersweet, indeed.
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!
I have never heard this song before but I really love it. Great video too.
Linda Medrano recently posted.."The Message" – They Played My Song
Thanks! I liked the live video, too!
It was an interesting post. I have never heard this song before but I really love it. Thanks that you’ve shared.
Thanks a lot!
Great song and a great story as well!
laughingmom recently posted..30 Days of Writing – They Played My Song
Thanks!
I never heard of this song and don’t know who the group is. When was it popular? Cool that you guys had a favourite song at the bar. I never had a favourite bar song. Just a favourite bar.
nonamedufus recently posted..30 Days of Writing – Day #3 – They Played My Song
Truthfully, the first time I heard this song was in that bar. The album was released in 1993.
That’s a great tune! I can understand how the bartender could get tired of hearing the same song over and over (I felt the same way about the song Closing Time), but I don’t get her behaviour. When you work in that kind of environment, you have to expect that kind of thing.
Nicky recently posted..Would You Like To Dance?
I can understand the boredom of the song, too, but the reaction was crazy.. especially with a $30 tip on the line! And no points for this post?
Now I will give away my age. Our ‘bar’ song was ‘Under the boardwalk’ by The Drifters Ha ha!
Babs – Beetle recently posted..They played my Song
Giving away age or not — that’s a great song!
Great story and song. Listening to the song while reading your post had a great effect.
I was hoping people would listen to it while reading. I wrote the post while playing the song a few times!
What a wonderful piece of writing, and lovely memories. I feel the same way about certain songs, whenever I hear them they remind me of something that used to be..
Ziva recently posted..30 Days of Writing: They Played My Song
Thank you for the kind words. And it’s funny how certain songs can bring us to another spot or remind us of something!
That was an awesome song, I’d never heard it before. It has a relaxing, romantic-but-manly feel that reminds me a lot like this song.
Michael D’Agostino recently posted..I’d Like to Thank the Academy…
*OF this song
Michael D’Agostino recently posted..I’d Like to Thank the Academy…
That song is one of my all-time favorites. Love it.
P.J. recently posted..Train coming
Shoot. I’m sitting on a train right now, so I can’t see the video or hear the song and I don’t know what it is or if I’ve heard it before. Dang. I’ll have to check this again when I get home. I liked your story, though!
Margaret (Nanny Goats) recently posted..The Taco Bell Drive-Thru Incident
I hope when you get the chance to hear it that you enjoy it!
P.J. recently posted..Train coming
How could I have not known of this song. Thanks for posting it. A good story. I love it when a sight, sound, or a smell can take you back to the memories you love.
Ellie Belen recently posted..Finding Our Song
I’ve often found that many people not know this song, which is too bad as I think it’s a great one. And I agree about when things can take you back to memories you love!