Fish Ain't Bitin'
David Lee Murphy Lyrics


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Sally Cantrell worked behind the bar
Had a wavin' rebel flag tattooed on her arm
She called everybody honey
That came walkin' through her door

She was known for puttin' things just the way they were
She called 'em like she saw 'em without smoothin' fur
When it comes to woman torubles
Nobody said it better than her no sir

If the fish ain't bitin'
If the fish ain't bitin'
Well now don't go gettin' shook
Honey take a look
What kinda bait you got on the hook

With that low smokey voice I can she her Lord
Breakin' up fights over Chevys and Fords
With that motherly broomstick logic
No man can ignore

But on the subject of love she gave good advice
And everybody listened without thinkin' twice
And she swore when she said it
Without blinkin' an eye oh my

If the fish ain't bitin'
If the fish ain't bitin'
Well now don't go gettin' shook
Honey take a look
What kinda bait you got on the hook

So if you're down on your luck and all you can say is
You should've seen the one I let get away
Well maybe all you need is a change in your strategy yes indeed

If the fish ain't bitin'
If the fish ain't bitin'
Well now don't go gettin' shook




Honey take a look
What kinda bait you got on the hook

Overall Meaning

In David Lee Murphy's song Fish Ain't Bitin', Sally Cantrell is portrayed as a tough, no-nonsense bartender who is renowned for her straight-talking style. She is depicted as someone who doesn't mince her words and is always ready to give out advice. The lyrics describe her as having a rebel flag tattoo and a low, smokey voice that she uses to break up fights in the bar. Sally Cantrell is someone who commands respect and is considered to be an expert on love and relationships. Her advice is always heeded and she never fails to deliver it in a calm and measured manner.


The lyrics suggest that Sally Cantrell's wisdom can be applied not just to love but to all aspects of life. When it comes to fishing, for example, she advises that if the fish ain't bitin', you need to take a look at the bait on your hook. In other words, if you're not getting what you want, it's time to reassess your approach and make some changes. This is a message that can be interpreted in many different ways, and it's one that is likely to resonate with listeners.


Overall, Fish Ain't Bitin' is a song that celebrates the wisdom of someone who is able to cut through the nonsense and get straight to the heart of the matter. Sally Cantrell may not be a real person, but she represents a type of person who is often found in small towns across America. Her down-to-earth approach to life is something that many people can relate to, and the song does a great job of capturing this.


Line by Line Meaning

Sally Cantrell worked behind the bar
Sally Cantrell was a bartender


Had a wavin' rebel flag tattooed on her arm
She had a tattoo of a rebel flag on her arm


She called everybody honey
She referred to everyone as 'honey'


That came walkin' through her door
Those who entered her bar


She was known for puttin' things just the way they were
She was known for being honest


She called 'em like she saw 'em without smoothin' fur
She spoke her mind without sugarcoating


When it comes to woman torubles
When it came to women's problems


Nobody said it better than her no sir
She was the best at giving advice on women's problems


If the fish ain't bitin'
If things aren't going your way


If the fish ain't bitin'
If things aren't going your way


Well now don't go gettin' shook
Don't get upset


Honey take a look
Take a moment to evaluate the situation


What kinda bait you got on the hook
What approach or strategy are you using?


With that low smokey voice I can she her Lord
She had a deep, raspy voice that was distinct


Breakin' up fights over Chevys and Fords
She was good at stopping arguments over cars


With that motherly broomstick logic
She had a no-nonsense, practical approach


No man can ignore
Everyone would listen to her advice


But on the subject of love she gave good advice
She was particularly insightful when it came to romantic advice


And everybody listened without thinkin' twice
People trusted her advice without hesitation


And she swore when she said it
She was absolutely sure of her advice


Without blinkin' an eye oh my
She was confident and unwavering in her assertions


So if you're down on your luck and all you can say is
If you're feeling unlucky and defeated


You should've seen the one I let get away
You regret not being more successful


Well maybe all you need is a change in your strategy yes indeed
Perhaps a new approach is needed




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

Denise Wiseman

Love it

Frances DeMers

Love this guy. Man, he is good lookin, good singer too.

Donald Tittle,Jr

Party Crowd was played at my best friends funeral! He made me promise and I always keep my word. Especially when it comes to close friends and "some" relatives. He had saved my life a few times and I'd saved his ass once or twice. I couldn't do anything about the brain cancer. Wish I could have. R.I.P. Greg.

Quentin Dugger

My good friend wrote this and DLM bought it off him to record and it became a hit single #52 on the Billboard. And I'm proud to know the man who wrote this for David Lee.

jon smith

Good song I remember 20 yrs ago with good advice ha!

Mr768113

AHH, my youth! This brings back memories of the best years of my life and great county music...and chevy chevettes lol.

Christopher Osborne

Love this song truly one of my favorites rock on David Lee Murphy your the best of the best.

Bryan su

Damn, his voice is good...how long did it take him to get it there?

Vicky flanagan

Love this man. Good looking. love all his songs.

Deborah Joyner

That is one gorgeous man, and them green eyes get me ever time, voice is great also

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