In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
Tonight The Bartender Is On The Wrong Side Of The Bar
Asleep At The Wheel Lyrics
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I'm working on the night shift in the lonely part of town
A place where people go when troubles got 'em down
Each night a row of faces stare back at me
Cryin' bartender can't you please cure my misery
Each man wants a story, consolation, and a beer
My mind is on that woman who was the world to me
She got tired of this life I live, so she's found new company
[ fiddle ]
So let's talk, more music
I'll pay, you choose it
Tonight I'm as blue as you are
Less talk, more music
You pour the booze and I'll abuse it
Tonight the bartender is on the wrong side of the bar
Tonight the bartender is on the wrong side of the bar
The song "Tonight the Bartender Is on the Wrong Side of the Bar" by Asleep at the Wheel is a tale about a bartender who's working on the night shift in a lonely part of town where people come to forget their troubles. Each night, a row of faces stare back at him, asking if he can cure their misery with a story, consolation, and a beer. However, on this particular night, the bartender is feeling blue himself because he's thinking about a woman who was once the world to him. She got tired of his lifestyle, so she left and found someone else.
The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is trying to provide comfort to his customers while dealing with his own heartache. He's physically there, but his mind is somewhere else. He wants to drown out his sorrows with music and booze, just like his customers. The line "tonight the bartender is on the wrong side of the bar" is a metaphor for his emotional state. He's used to being the one who listens to other people's problems and provides a shoulder to cry on, but tonight he's the one who needs a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.
Overall, the song is a reminder that everyone has their own struggles, even those who seem to have it all together. It's a poignant commentary on the human condition and the ways in which we cope with our pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight the bartender is on the wrong side of the bar
The singer, who is a bartender, is feeling down and disconnected from his patrons.
I'm working on the night shift in the lonely part of town
The singer is working the night shift in an area of town where people come when they are feeling low.
A place where people go when troubles got 'em down
The area of town where the singer works is a place where people come to find solace when they are experiencing problems in their lives.
Each night a row of faces stare back at me
The artist sees a lineup of people looking at him for guidance or comfort.
Cryin' bartender can't you please cure my misery
The customers are looking to the artist to help relieve their pain and sadness.
Each man wants a story, consolation, and a beer
The customers are seeking conversation, comfort, and a drink to soothe their troubles.
But tonight they're alone cause I'm no really here
The singer is too preoccupied with his own problems to give his customers the attention they deserve.
My mind is on that woman who was the world to me
The artist is consumed with thoughts of a lost love.
She got tired of this life I live, so she's found new company
The artist's love has left him, and he is struggling to come to terms with it.
So let's talk, more music
The artist wants to distract himself and his customers from their problems with music.
I'll pay, you choose it
The singer is offering to pay for the music his customers want to hear.
Tonight I'm as blue as you are
The artist is feeling just as sad and lost as his customers.
Less talk, more music
The singer is emphasizing the need for distraction through music instead of conversation.
You pour the booze and I'll abuse it
The singer plans to drink away his problems instead of facing them.
Tonight the bartender is on the wrong side of the bar
The singer repeats the song's title to emphasize his feelings of disconnection and sadness.
Contributed by Adalyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben - Moderator
The issue with search on Firefox is now resolved.
Ben - Moderator
Sorry about that Eddie - we will resolve this very soon. In the meantime you should still be able to paste a search into the search box. I'll update you here.
Eddie
With the new setup my firefox browser will not allow typing in the search area.