Song #74: Joe Nichols - "Brokenheartsville" (2002)
Man with a Memory
"All I can say is, bartender, pour me something strong!"
I've
never had the misfortune of going through a rough breakup, a one night
stand, being stood-up, or anything of the sorts (I've never had a
romantic relationship of any kind either), but I can just assume the
feeling by listening to some of the classic country heartbreak songs or
even the contemporary ones at that. Joe Nichols' "Brokenheartsville" is a
song I could easily imagine being sung by country music legend Hank
Williams or George Jones, as the song concerns a man who's date left him
alone at a local bar after taking off with another promising soul in a
fire-engine red Coupe De Ville. Nichols sits with his buddies at the bar
for the first verse, as they help him through, pouring him "something
strong" like he asks, and even singing his story with him. However, once
the second verse hits, Nichols and company are transported to a more
fun, rock-and-roll side of the bar, equipped with a stage, lights, and
everything, while Nichols' date and her new beau experience some
roadside troubles and some serious revelations.
The
song works because of how intensely relatable it can be for those
experiencing similar circumstances. Nichols also does a nice job of
concocting a story that is deeply intimate, sad, but at the same time,
not so bogged down in its sadness that you need to make sure you are
tough as nails to handle its content. Not to mention, this is the kind
of song you can simply sing passionately, while raising a few stints of
your own, and thanks to Nichols' every-man lyrics and self-presentation,
it won't be hard at all to throw you or your buddies in the song. I
just hope if I ever go through a hellish breakup or am stood up like
this in real life, I have a squad of people ready to drink the night
away at a local tavern.
Give
a listen to "Brokenheartsville" (I linked the music video purposefully
since I find the music video is simply incredible in terms of capturing a
mood and a feeling), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJtA-KqK_Lo
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