The Bar
Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’m telling you now I never made it that far
(chorus)
At The Bar
That’s where it happens
At The Bar
You heard that right
That’s where it happens
At The Bar
It happens every night
I was headed for the entrance
Of the hotel bar
When a dude pulled up in his fancy car
He said “hop in son, let’s go for a ride”
that was the night I almost died
They say it all happens at the bar
I’m telling you now I never made it that far
I hopped in his car and we blasted off
Where were we headed? I soon forgot
It was hot and dry that fateful day
Man I wish I never went to L.A.
(chorus)
At The Bar
That’s where it happens
At The Bar
You heard that right
At The Bar
That’s where it happens
At The Bar
It happens every night
I got nervous and went to head back
That’s when he gave me a drink
From his special flask
He said “stick with me kid and we’ll go places”
Soon all I could see was melting faces
They say it all happens at the bar
I’m telling you now I wish I made it that far
I woke up later beside a ditch
Flat on my back with a mysterious itch
Bruises on my face and a bump on my head
That was the night I almost woke up dead
(bridge)
In Hollywood where dreams are made
I came, I saw, I misbehaved
Careers are made and dreams are broken
The honest truth is rarely spoken
(chorus)
At The Bar
That’s where it happens
At The Bar
You heard that right
At The Bar
That’s where it happens
At The Bar
It happens every night
They say it all happens at the bar
I’m telling you man I never made it that far
(I never made it that far)
The lyrics of "The Bar" by Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell depict a cautionary tale about the allure and dangers of the bar scene, particularly in the context of Hollywood. The singer starts by acknowledging the popular belief that everything happens at the bar, but confesses that they never actually experienced it themselves. It sets the stage for their personal encounter with the bar and its consequences.
The story unfolds as the singer is about to enter the hotel bar when a stranger pulls up in a fancy car, inviting them for a ride. Curiosity piques their interest, and they decide to join the stranger. However, this decision proves to be fateful, as the lyrics reveal that the singer almost died that night. This incident becomes a turning point, signaling that the true danger lies in venturing too deep into the world of the bar.
The chorus reinforces the idea that the bar is where things happen every night, emphasizing its central role in the narrative. The singer reflects on the ill-fated trip, expressing regret and emphasizing the importance of reaching the actual bar, implying that there was a missed opportunity to witness what truly happens there.
The bridge brings in the context of Hollywood, a place notorious for making or breaking dreams. It portrays a façade where careers are made, dreams are shattered, and honesty is seldom found. This further emphasizes the notion that the bar becomes a symbolic representation of the dark side of Hollywood and the entertainment industry.
In conclusion, "The Bar" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers and illusions of the bar scene, particularly in the context of Hollywood. It tells a story of missed opportunities, temptation, and the consequences of getting caught up in the allure of this world.
Line by Line Meaning
They say it all happens at the bar
According to popular belief, all the interesting and exciting events take place at the bar
I’m telling you now I never made it that far
I want to emphasize that I never actually reached the bar or experienced those events
At The Bar
The specific location where all the action and excitement occurs
That’s where it happens
It is at the bar where all the noteworthy events and occurrences take place
You heard that right
I want to affirm that what I just said is correct
It happens every night
The events and happenings at the bar occur consistently and regularly on a nightly basis
I was headed for the entrance
I was making my way towards the opening or doorway of the establishment
Of the hotel bar
Referring to the bar located within the hotel premises
When a dude pulled up in his fancy car
Suddenly, an individual arrived in his luxurious automobile
He said 'hop in son, let’s go for a ride'
He invited me to join him by saying 'get inside, my boy, we'll go for a drive'
that was the night I almost died
This particular evening was nearly the end of my life
I hopped in his car and we blasted off
Excitedly, I got into his vehicle and we swiftly departed from the location
Where were we headed? I soon forgot
I quickly lost track of our destination and couldn't remember where we were going
It was hot and dry that fateful day
The weather on that unfortunate day was scorching and devoid of moisture
Man I wish I never went to L.A.
Oh, how I regret having visited Los Angeles
I got nervous and went to head back
Feeling anxious, I decided to return from where I came
That’s when he gave me a drink
At that moment, he offered me a beverage
From his special flask
That drink came from his unique and personal flask
He said 'stick with me kid and we’ll go places'
He encouraged me to stay with him, promising that we would achieve great things together
Soon all I could see was melting faces
Gradually, the people around me appeared to have distorted and melting visages
I woke up later beside a ditch
After a period of unconsciousness, I regained awareness next to a trench or gully
Flat on my back with a mysterious itch
Lying horizontally, I felt an inexplicable sensation of discomfort or irritation
Bruises on my face and a bump on my head
There were visible marks of injury on my facial skin and a lump on my cranium
That was the night I almost woke up dead
That particular evening was so perilous that it nearly led to my demise
In Hollywood where dreams are made
Referring to the city of Hollywood, known for its association with the fulfillment of aspirations
I came, I saw, I misbehaved
I arrived, observed my surroundings, and engaged in improper conduct
Careers are made and dreams are broken
In this place, individuals can establish successful professions or have their ambitions shattered
The honest truth is rarely spoken
Unfortunately, people seldom convey the unaltered and sincere reality of situations
(I never made it that far)
To reemphasize, I want to clarify that I never actually reached the bar or experienced those events
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Hagarty, Anne T. House
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
C. Syde65
Sounds like something inspired by something you'd hear from the 1950's. I could have sworn I've heard something like the 0:10 - 0:15 part in a rock 'n' roll song.
Verona Varenesse
I love this jazz-swing!
John McGourn
Antz filming locations
New York
GroenFan
Ahoyhoy! John Powell made this? he's responsible for Romantic Flight! if it weren't for that flawless instrumental, I'd be in jail, seriously, I have huge anger issues and that song is the only thing that calms me down in a jiff! I listen to it at least twice a day to keep my emotions regular ; once at night, and once midday.
W.D Gaster 2
"Ever wonder what chickens do when your not looking?"
Wil Bourke
I was thinking the same thing
MegaFafnir
Z: "Call me crazy, but, I have a thing about drinking from the anus of another creature..."
Weaver: "Suit yourself!" (takes a deep swig)
SE Minnesota Trains & Airplanes
Me im cutting loose
Rainbow Warrior
@SE Minnesota Trains & Airplanes I've got royal inspection coming up
The Gustavo Perez Jr's Show
@Rainbow Warrior Z: Inspection, meaning you’re gonna stand around like an idiot… While a bunch of blue bloods smirk at you. I don’t know how you put up with it, Weaver.