Bartender, can you pour some love?

Track: Bartender

Artist: James Blunt
Album: Afterlove

Year: 2017

Genre: Pop



The only guy who told you that you were beautiful, apart from your mother- yeah he's back. And how! 'Afterlove' is a stellar album with as many as 6 catchy tracks. I had an exceptionally hard time deciding which song to showcase here on my blog. Because you know, with great power comes responsibility. Just kidding. But yeah, a sincere thanks to the 30-40 friends that do read every blog post of mine. You keep me writing. Leave a comment about the song sometimes, I'd love to have a chat about it.

'California' came really close to be featured in this space, 'Over' fought tooth and nail, 'Heartbeat' made me do a double take- but enough is enough. 'Bartender' is what I'll talk about today. This song starts off with acoustic guitar and vocals eerily reminiscent of Ed Sheeranesque music. Funny they are signed to the same record label (Hint Hint!). It's heartening to see that James Blunt has adapted to the 2017 music scene in his own unique way to stay relevant.


I hope this song makes you go back and listen to the entire album. On a surprisingly chilly night in the dawn of Spring, you are under the sheets in your bed. You are not sleepy, you have a million thoughts racing in that head of yours. You remember playing the radio at night when you were a kid. The radio used to shut off automatically after an hour, but by that time you would be peacefully asleep. This is the album that will give you the same feels. Them feels *shudders*.

There's nothing significantly different about the lyrics of this song than the thousands that came before it in this genre, but it is the way Blunt renders them in his hooks is what has me hooked. In The End, it doesn't even matter what you think, I am proud of that pun. Coming back to the point, it's about forgetting the past over drinks and being happily ever after. Dancing, and going back to his or her place after last call. I absolutely love how Blunt sings the hook-

"Bartender, can you pour some love?"

It makes me think about how fun this song would be while driving on the Pacific Coast highway, as the sun makes the ocean golden during your winding drive in a convertible. A drone with an HD camera follows you and as you drive into the distance, pans up to capture the sunset in all it's glory.

Blackbird, fly away! May you never be broken again.

Track: Blackbird

Artist: Alter Bridge
Album: Blackbird

Year: 2007

Genre: Hard Rock




Alter Bridge was a late bloomer in my playlists and musical journey. It deserved more than being an untouched folder in my library. There would be the one-off occasion when I would shuffle this folder in the background while browsing cat GIFs, scrolling endlessly on Facebook and partaking in other stupid activities I was well known for indulging in. Cat GIFs are the absolute best.

It's been five years since those days, and I am delighted to say that this hard-hitting rock band from Florida has finally claimed its rightful place in my daily life and received the respect that it deserves.

Blackbird is one of those songs, when they once enter my playlists, threaten never to leave. It is a musical masterpiece from everyone in the band. Tremonti starts this track off with an unmistakable introduction which has become THAT moment in an AB concert when every member of the audience is gripped by emotion. Myles joins in with a vocal performance that mirrors the feeling of every listener's core link to anything that is filled with despair, hope and freedom in the world.

Every power chord switch before Myles' iconic lyrics twists and releases, wrenches and lets go of your gut in a way that only music can do:

"Let the wind carry you home

Blackbird, fly away!

May you never be broken again"

I always imagine an epic back story to this epilogue of a song. A grand story about a metaphorical blackbird, with big dreams and big plans, and a heart as courageous as a lion's. How this blackbird is deceived and captured and subjected to the most abject of conditions by yet another abstract and evil entity (or not! I haven't made up my mind yet. Maybe I'll write a couple of short stories on this topic and let you decide!).

This song continues to tug at one's heartstrings as it creeps into a memorable crescendo which leaves you very, very satisfied with the last few minutes of your life. The two back to back solos by Tremonti and Myles were voted the best in 2011, defeating behemoths like Slash, van Halen, Jimmy Page, Hendrix, Petrucci, Steve Vai and David Gilmour by a wide margin.

This song leaves you happier, leaves you a little better prepared to take life on. I know I have been rambling in this post, but you need something to read while this 8 minute long gem approaches it's conclusion, right?

I have always had fun at Alter Bridge concerts, and I look forward to listening to more of their music- old and unreleased alike. If you are feeling adventurous and feel like expanding your musical spectrum from the usual Chainsmokers and Coldplay way of life, I highly suggest you check these guys out on The Last Hero tour in a city near you. I am sure you have better things to do than be a witness to the confession of a mattress thief from Boulder.