Can Someone Please Explain Rehab to Me?
I swear I am not being sarcastic this time. I just really don't get the appeal of this song by Rehab. It's called "Bartender Song," and it is the number two video being streamed on CMT.com. So either the band's moms are hitting the refresh button and clicking play over and over, or people out there really like this tune.
I don't. At all. To me this three minutes of hell has nothing country about it, unless you count the stardard-fare clichés of redneck music: breaking parole, kicking the trailer door in, being drunk and on the run, staying out until 6am, jacking keys to daddy's Chevrolet, throwing stuff in the yard, penitentiaries, kerosene and dirt roads. Even that extensive laundry list of bad-ass themes isn't enough to make it a country song, though. And maybe that's not even what this band wants. Their own band bio calls their music a blend of "scorching rock and searing rap." And the lead guitarist has been in on studio sessions with Pink, Outkast, Nelly. So why, why, why is it doing so well on CMT?
To all of you who've been watching this video 24, 7 and inadvertently pushing it up the virtual charts, give me reasons to like (or even tolerate) this video. Are you seeing something I'm not seeing? The frontman Danny Alexander has no twang, and really, has no voice to speak of either. It's more of an irritating rambling whining. Then there's not much more than some sparse acoustic guitar and entry-level percussion, so it's not like there's any country instrumentation to hang their hats on, aside from the steel guitar buried in the mix. They do have Hank Williams Jr. to lend a bit of authenticity. But to quote the Dixie Chicks, "They got Junior, but they don't have Hank."
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Steve says:
Actually this is a really old song. They have been playing it in bars for years (in Charlotte, NC at least), but this year it finally made its way to mainstream radio - which I must add doesn’t include the Hank Jr. bit (probably because it’s played on Pop/R&B radio here) I agree, it doesn’t seem to really be country… but congrats, you just got it a few more streams!
clayton b. coyne III says:
So if Rehab’s lead guitarist sat in on sessions with Nelly, and Rehab isn’t country, then Tim McGraw isn’t country because he actually sang a “duet”, if you will, with Nelly. I agree that this song isn’t country — it isn’t even good in my book, but the cross-pollination of genres (which seems like what they’re going for) can only lead to good things for each genre.
Melissa says:
I know what you mean. I don’t get why the song is so popular either. No offense intended to anyone at all.
Artists throw strikes, and artists strike out. It just depends on who you ask, and how you look at it.
monica says:
i hate this song with all my heart.
pselby says:
It is a very popular “singalong” song in bars. I’m a d.j. and I get A LOT of requests for it — there are two versions — one is unedited, profane, and has no Hank, Jr.; the other is the country version. They AREN’T a country band in general.
Sam says:
Lynard Skynard wasn’t country either. They played country rock. If Lynard Skynard was new today, pure country fans wouldn’t like them. They are legends none the less. Mixing of genres is nothing new.
Marty K says:
Stupid, stupid song in my opinion.
Joe says:
I love this song. No I don’t do drugs. It’s just a fun song, but it’s not country. But It’s better than some of the other country songs out there.
RedMaZ says:
It’s not country is your opinion, but I believe it fits perfect in todays Pop Country Music scene.
yessir says:
thats your opinion… but you are wrong
Michele says:
I don’t do any drugs and I like the song it’s a fun song. It’s not a country song but then neither are a few others that we allow to play on CMT we do alot of mixing genres. It just goes to show you that us country music lovers are open minded when it comes to music.So whats wrong with that. It’s a song losen up its catchy and funny.
Kevin says:
The version of the song that is playing on CMT is not TOO bad since it is edited and has Hank Jr. in it. But the real song is full of profanity. Profanity that in my opinion has no place anywhere near country music. The song has a catchy tune to it, but in my opinion its trashy
RedMaZ says:
It’s just what Pop Country and it’s fans deserve.
Kevin says:
wow… you have quite a chip on your shoulder.
RedMaZ says:
Not to mention an Ernie and a Robbie…
Ian says:
I don’t like it a ton, but here’s what it’s got going for it:
1.) Hank Williams Jr. is in it, giving it a stamp of approval.
2.) It’s coming after the whole Music Mafia thing that happened a while back, the limit was already pushed.
3.) It doesn’t look like anything else on CMT right now, and the subject matter’s at least different. There are only so many “I’m-mad-at-my-ex-boyfriend” songs and “I-love-my-current-girlfriend-earnestly” songs you can hear in a row before the demand for an “anything-else” song starts to kick in.
Kevin says:
not funny
RedMaZ says:
Sometimes the truth isn’t so funny, and for some it’s a hard pill to swallow.
Kevin says:
Oh, so you’re saying that you actually have Ernie and Robbie on your shoulder.
Kim says:
Amen Ian. at least its different. where’s the profane version? I think i’ll try it. Sick to death of the sanctimonious people preaching about country music moral superiority, when most of its BS. I think they should have left it the original way. stop trying to appease, and walk away from mainstream. somebody….please!
Kim says:
Kevin, I don’t think you’re going to win that battle. hands away from the keyboard!
Kevin says:
Ive already won that battle.. but thanks for the advice. I dont claim that country music is morally superior to any other kind of music. Any genre can make good clean music. But the kind of country music I like doesnt use the F word.
Kim says:
I actually wasn’t talking about anyone here present. Just the in general sentiment that seems to be running rampant. sorry if it sounded that way.
Kevin says:
ohh. ok.
RedMaZ says:
No…I have The Band on my shoulder, It’s a good place to carry “The Weight”.
Hi Kim, how are you? “hands away from the heyboard”! Good one.
Kim says:
Stuffed with candy. and looking forward to my extra hour of sleep tonight. being lazy this weekend mostly.
I was in rare form for that one, thanks!
Matthew says:
Haven’t you seen the CMA promo running on ABC? The one with the Kid Rock song playing for the award show that will be opened by Jessica Simpson. Country music dies a little more every day.
Sara says:
This song has been out for quite a while. The first time I heard it was actually a clip I got from a friend of mine as a ringtone. I went home and downloaded the whole song. I think the lyrics of this song is very fitting for Hank Jr. I have been a fan of this song for over a year now. Of course my iPod playlist has over 1500 songs that range from old school rap and classic rock, to country and alternative.
I do think one of the biggest mistakes in country music is Jessica Simpson. Did anyone see her perform a concert at Lowes Motor Speedway, then butcher the National Anthem? By her calling herself a country music singer makes me ashamed of being a fan of country music.
ROSEBUD says:
You know this just shows how different everyones opinions are. I just saw this video for the first time today on the top 20 countdown. I did not like it at all. I was shocked to see it in the top 10. On the other hand I really like Jessica and have no problem with her in country music. I don’t feel ashamed or anything. I even bought her CD. I was pleasantly surprised with how good it was. I guess everyone has their own opinion of good music. Ain’t it great!!!!!!
Kim says:
that is so true. I’m not a big Jessica fan, but I wish her well. She appears to be at least trying. I like the rehab song. I found the profane version and its better. (depending on how you look at that) I’m like Sara when it comes to playlists. I’m all over the place.
melissa says:
I love this song and listen to it all the time, the unedited version–I like it better. I do agree, this isn’t a country song, neither are Kid Rock’s songs.
I love all kinds of music, but they don’t catagorize them like they use to
R.J. says:
To me, this seems to beat a lot of other “country” music that the politics of country music cram down our throats on “New Country” radio. I’m not sure when I first heard this song, but I really enjoy it; think it’s fun, and catchy. (You could argue that the flu is also catchy, but I think this tune is in a good way.) I work for a radio group in Southwest Wisconsin and this has been one of our most requested songs for weeks. A hit is a hit based on the listeners, as it should be…not by label execs and promoters and M.D.’s sticking their favorite “flavors” at the listeners. Love it or hate it everybody’s entitled to their own opinion. Love it!
MiaT says:
I must admit…I do not understand this song & I have heard it many times on the radio & I just don’t like it.
Portia says:
i hate that song and the video so much!!!!!!! ugh! even w/ hank william jr……i hate that song! why is it in the top 20 and top 5 all the time! get it outta here!!!!!!!!
cissy says:
I like this song. I like the tune and just pure fun of it. It makes me want to just get up and dance.
Chris D. says:
RedMaZ, “The Weight” is a great song, I have the Lee Ann Womack version, and I love it!
I personally hate this song too, and I thought a lot of modern country was bad, then I heard this song, blech.
J. Smith says:
I have listened to both versions of the song and I prefer the version with Hank Jr. bcecause I don’t care for profane language in any song. I think that people who like this particular song are drawn to it by the music and not the lyrics. When I listen to a song the beat is what attracts me to the song first and if I like the music then I will listen to the lyrics.
BG says:
I remember good coutry without filth,vulgarity and life on a higher plane. This really sucks. Meanwhile, I would like to get a copy of the lyrics to Bobby Bare’s “Calgary Snow”. Album was “Cowboys and Daddy’s” l975. Need them to complete my collection. Thanks up front!
Doug says:
Hooray! To me, the spirit of this song is a whole hell of a lot better than the cookie-cutter-pretty-boy crap that gets played on mainstream country radio. I don’t think this song is too far from the Americana genre.
It smacks a bit of Kid Rock’s we were tryin’ different things/smokin’ funny things song, but it’s more authentic than that, and doesn’t steal from two previous non-country hits. Yet the Kid Rock song is played to death on country radio.
Yeah, the production may be suspect, and whether or not this song is a hit, or perhaps a near miss, give me something like this, where somebody is at least taking a chance, than the make-me-puke interchangeable songs and artists that pass for country music these days.
RedMaZ says:
Yes Chris D. Lee Ann Womack does a great job covering “The Weight”. There are a lot of good performances on “The Band” tribute CD “Endless Highway” including tracks by Josh Turner, Roseanne Cash ,and My Morning Jacket.
Doug if you think this song might fit into the Americana genre, you might not know that much about Americana. This song “Bartender Song” is a pure Pop song. It’s intended to appeal to the masses for profit, and it’s must be overplayed for that purpose. I follow Americana music. It’s my music of choice. This ain’t it.
Judy says:
Alison- You should find another hobby-
JibJab says:
Heck, if this doesn’t say it all about country Music, I don’t know what does. It’s Great!
yessir says:
yeah, this is americana all the way
Alison says:
What do you mean by that, Judy?
B.W. LaRoy says:
It’s just like reality television…you can get drunk and be a part of the group without having to think and you can laugh at yourself and your dumbed down country all the way to the lottery ticket line…after you pick up your in-kind services check. Don’t forget to pay your cable bill on your way back to the couch!
anastasia beverhousin says:
This song is actually pretty old. I heard it for the first time in 05 or 06. It’s def not country. They play it a lot in bars and clubs. I like it though. I think its funny and a good song to hear when you’re just having fun with friends. But i agree, how did this end up on CMT??
Gail says:
Allison, thank you for asking about this song. I don’t go to bars much so I’ve never heard this song before CMT. People probably like it because it’s catchy and funny and it gives them a break from reality. We all want something to laugh at when facing life’s challenges and struggles. Also, I just wanted to add I also bought Jessica’s cd and was pleasantly surprised how good it is! She sings to pray out loud, you’re my Sunday and Still Beautiful, just to name a few. Congrats on really good song writing Nashville! IMO the move to country was a good move for Jessica.
That’s all. Thank you.
Genette says:
anyone who listens to this song will get it i personally like it its catchy I even heard the original verison of the song but its the same but different but i like this one better its alot more country and they clean it up alot aswell
Country Fan says:
Its crap dont like it at all,its sad that really good country songs & artists are ignored for junk.But then I dont like Jerry Springer which this song would be suited for.I think it demeaning for country radio to even have it on their playlist,or cmt either.Hank Jr. doesnt make it country either.
Brandon says:
I like the song..Until it was on CMT I didn’t know what it was so I’m glad they played it cause the song rocks.
As far as it not being country well I say so what.
You got Kid Rock on there as it been said over and over again and I’ve seen alot of other none country stuff over it for a year.
Then you got the artist who are not even pure country who are good(Carrie Underwood,Taylor Swift,etc)
So if you don’t like it I got advice for you and its real simple
When it comes on TV…CHANGE IT…that simple…I do it with Keith Urban because I’m not a big fan of his so when I see his videos I swich to another channel for awhile.
RedMaZ says:
Did Chet Flippo tell you that?
AJ says:
i agree with brandon even tho this one does not have the kick as the original and would probably sound better if they used original lyrics and just edited it out like on radio but its tv theres always SOMETHING else
Tom says:
I love that song. I love Hank Jr’s music, and his father’s music,too. CMT has figured out that good music isn’t just one sound. Any time I listen to a new song I give it a shot weather it is country or not. But hey what does what I say matter.
Stewart says:
For BG
Calgary Snow lyrics.
Calgary Snow
Well last Friday she said to me “Hey Billy Joe”
“Did you know either me or the rodeo’d go”
So I packed up and left her in Wako and drove up
To ride on the bulls in the Calgary snow.
Saw a sign that said “Riders”
And hauled all my riggin’ inside
Where the fellows was braggin’
Drawin’ the stock we would ride
I was doin’ the same ‘till I looked at the name that I’d drawn
Then I stood there and silently cried.
(chorus)
Oh you Calgary snow.
Can’t let the rodeo go
Hurt more than my pride
When a bull I can’t ride
Lays me low… in the Calgary snow.
Well I knew I was beat in the hat when I drew him
Started me drinkin’… thinkin’ of the brute
Till I managed to wreck my left knee and my ankle
Between the damn bull and the side of the chute.
And I’m thinkin’ out loud as I fly through the clouds to the ground
“Hey Billy, maybe you ain’t the most dynamite rider around…
Cause you’re kickin’ too late coming out of the gate boy
But you’re great at comin’ gracefully down”.
(repeat chorus)
Well I know’d that I’m blown in the chute on the first go-round
So I give ‘em my old what-the-hell grin as I get off the ground.
And right then I’m thinkin’ “You know I ain’t takin’ to Calgary much”
‘Cause there’s nothing” back in my room but a broom I can use for a crutch.
And it’s cold, Lord it’s cold in the Calgary wind.
When you’re knowin’ you gotta go ride the day money again.
Ain’t no whiskey nor ether nor blankets nor pills
Gonna deaden the pain and the chills of the Calgary wind.
But what more’s a broken down rodeo cowboy to do?
Stove up in Canada watchin’ his bruises turn blue.
There’s only one road gonna lead back to Wako and you
And it runs outa chute number two.
(repeat chorus)
Brian says:
I just wish I could figure out what people are so worked up over. Has their been a country music song released in the last 15-20 years that isn’t cliche? Big and Rich have made a living on cliche! The one thing this song isn’t is overproduced trash, sung by a made to order pretty boy/girl with an average voice. As far as the not a country artist, please! Conway Twitty was a rock and roll star long before he ever recorded a country song. Some of the best in the business have had cross over hits so what does that mean they’re not country stars. PS sorry for the conway twitty comment I realize the teenage girls modern country music is made for won’t know who he is.
Justin Shaddox says:
You know, that’s an opinion. I just so happen to love the band Rehab. I have listened to their music since 2003, when I finally discovered the song “It Don’t Matter”. I then went on to find the album “Southern Discomfort”. A great album from beginning to end, it’s filled with humor, realism, thoughts people get but are usually unheard…Things that happen in life, and if not in yours, happened in his. Danny Boone is a wonderful singer, and to assume otherwise, even after hearing the Bartender (which was originally titled “Sittin At A Bar”)remake with Hank Williams Jr., means to me that you obviously don’t know how to hear a musical note. Do you know what key or pitch he’s singing in? Do you know what chords they play on the guitars? Do you know the timing of the drums? How many BPM? If you don’t know what you’re talking about, then you have no right to complain. And I assume that you are a big country fanatic. I like rock, rap, classical, country, hard rock, heavy metal, grunge, hip hop, alternative, you get my drift? You like country. This song is a great song, and if you can’t respect it, or the entire band just because YOU don’t like ONE song by them, then you really should just keep your negativity to yourself. They play great music, and are one of my top 3 favorite bands, right up there between Alice In Chains and Stone Temple Pilots. That’s my opinion, because I listen to all sorts of different music. I just don’t like seeing Rehab get bashed by someone who looks at music thinking one-sided. You heard a remake of a song with a guest on it. Try the albums. If you don’t like it, it’s because it’s not your taste in music. Danny Boone is a wonderful singer, and the rest of the band is amazing at their instruments. They are a great band, and they deserve more respect than what you gave them.
Justin Shaddox says:
And I’m pretty sure most of the country I’ve heard from back in the day has had plenty of vulgarity in it. From being racist, to wanting to go home and get her shotgun n wait by the door with a cigarette, to bein 40 below and he don’t give a fxck got a heater in the truck and he’s off to the rodeo…How dare you use profanity as another way to stab at the song and the band? Music is music, and if you don’t like it, change the station.