Dixon was born Jay Riggins Jr. in Marshall, Texas. He was influenced by blues, gospel, jazz and country music growing up. His family moved to Los Angeles, California in 1942 and Dixon met his influence Charles Brown there.
Self-dubbed "Mr. Magnificent," Dixon signed a recording contract with Modern Records in 1949, specializing in jump blues and sexualized songs like "Red Cherries", "Wine Wine Wine", "Too Much Jelly Roll" and "Baby Let's Go Down to The Woods".
Dixon switched to the Specialty Records label in 1952, and the Atlantic Records subsidiary Cat Records in 1954. "Hey Bartender" (later covered by The Blues Brothers) and "Hole In The Wall" were hits during this time.
In the 1970s Dixon left the music industry for a quieter life in Texas, though he did occasional tours in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1984 he was commissioned to write "Olympic Blues" for the 1984 Summer Olympics.
In 1993, Dixon received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. In the mid 1990s, he secured a contract with Alligator Records, releasing the critically-acclaimed album, Wake Up And Live.
Dixon died in Los Angeles in July 2006, at the age of 77, from kidney failure. A public memorial service was held at Grace Chapel, in the grounds of the Inglewood Park Cemetery.
Hey Bartender
Floyd Dixon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Started drinkin' and got real tight
I blew each and all my friends
Felt so good, I had to blow again
I said, "Hey, bartender
Hey man, looka here"
Draw, one draw, two draw
Saw a chick sittin' on the end
I said, " Baby, can't we be friends
You're looking sweet as you can be
Come on down and drink with me"
I said, "Hey, bartender
Hey man, looka here"
Draw, one draw, two draw
Three, four glasses of beer
We were having so much fun
Didn't know it was half past one
Sat down to have one more
Looked the clock and it was almost four
I said, "Hey, bartender
Hey man, looka here"
Draw, one draw, two draw
Three, four glasses of beer
Juke box playin' and everything
All the cats began to sing
I heard somebody called, said
Last round for alcohol
I said, "Hey bartender, hey bartender
Hey bartender, hey bartender
Hey bartender, hey bartender
Draw one, two, three, four glasses of beer"
The song "Hey Bartender" by Floyd Dixon tells the story of a man who goes out drinking with his friends and ends up getting drunk. He blows all his money on drinks and tries to pick up a woman at the bar. Throughout the song, he repeatedly calls out to the bartender to serve him more drinks, as he continues to drink and party until the early hours of the morning.
The lyrics of the song illustrate the carefree attitude of the singer, who doesn't seem to care about the consequences of his actions. He is willing to spend all of his money on alcohol and doesn't think about the fact that he might regret his behavior later. The song also highlights the importance of the bartender in creating a fun atmosphere in the bar by serving drinks and playing music. The singer seems to rely on the bartender to keep the party going and to ensure that everyone is having a good time.
Overall, "Hey Bartender" is a fun, upbeat song that celebrates the joy of drinking and socializing with friends. However, it also highlights the potential dangers of excessive drinking and the importance of responsible behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
Went ballin' the other night
I went out for a night of partying
Started drinkin' and got real tight
I started drinking and got drunk
I blew each and all my friends
I spent all of my money and resources
Felt so good, I had to blow again
It felt so good that I continued to spend money
I said, "Hey, bartender
Hey man, looka here"
I got the bartender's attention to order drinks
Draw, one draw, two draw
Three, four glasses of beer
I ordered several glasses of beer
Saw a chick sittin' on the end
I said, " Baby, can't we be friends
You're looking sweet as you can be
Come on down and drink with me"
I saw a woman and asked her to drink with me
We were having so much fun
Didn't know it was half past one
Sat down to have one more
Looked the clock and it was almost four
We were having fun and lost track of time, realizing it was almost morning
Juke box playin' and everything
All the cats began to sing
I heard somebody called, said
Last round for alcohol
The jukebox was playing and people were singing, then someone announced it was last call
I said, "Hey bartender, hey bartender
Hey bartender, hey bartender
Hey bartender, hey bartender
Draw one, two, three, four glasses of beer"
I asked the bartender for more beer before the bar closed
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOSSIE TERRY, TERRY DOSSIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@abrigospardos
Went ballin' the other night
Started drinkin' and got real tight
I blew each and all my friends
Felt so good, I had to blow again
I said, "Hey, bartender
Hey man, look a-here"
Draw, one draw, two draw
Three, four glasses of beer
Saw a chick sittin' on the end
I said, " Baby, can't we be friends
You're looking sweet as you can be
Come on down and drink with me"
I said, "Hey, bartender
Hey man, look a-here"
Draw, one draw, two draw
Three, four glasses of beer
We were having so much fun
Didn't know it was half past one
Sat down to have one more
Looked the clock and it was almost four
I said, "Hey, bartender
Hey man, look a-here"
Draw, one draw, two draw
Three, four glasses of beer
Juke box playin' and everything
All the cats began to sing
I heard somebody called, said
Last round for alcohol
I said, "Hey bartender, hey bartender
Hey bartender, hey bartender
Hey bartender, hey bartender
Draw one, two, three, four glasses of beer"
@GSEntertainment-hn2xn
My Mom’s Cousin … Blues Singer “Floyd Dixon” Marshall, Tx. ❤
Miss You Cousin Floyd, I still have all the pictures I took with you and the video when I had a Gumbo gathering at my home in Los Angeles.
I remember you telling me this song “Hey Bartender” was used in the Blues Brothers Movie you would had personally sung it in the movie but you were overseas then.
Continue To Rest In Heavenly Heaven Peace 🕊️
Will Never Forget You! ♥️
@bnichole3027
My Grandpa! 🤗❤️
@myvonnejones
My mom has been good friends with him since I was a teen. Glad to see his music is still very much appreciated. Awesome song in every way!!
@1950stacy
Freddie king
@GSEntertainment-hn2xn
Hello … I’m family of the late Blues Singer “Floyd Dixon” I met some of his music friends in Los Angeles back in the 90’s
@GSEntertainment-hn2xn
@1Bluesboy1 …. Thank you for uploading this video on YouTube!
I’m family of the late Blues Singer “Floyd Dixon”
@bak-mariterry5180
Jerry Carter from 88.7 WFOS ,Chesapeake, Virginia turned me on to this.
@scottknabb2927
The barry sax is so under used in rock these days. What a sound!!
@davidsigalow7349
Bluesman Selwyn Birchwood has one in his band, and it's one of those things that makes his band great.
@cooldaddy2877
To us from the fifties it was as important as, often moreso than, the guitar.