The Talkin' Song Repair Blues
"The Talkin' Song Repair Blues" is a song written by Dennis Linde, and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in March 2005 as the third single from his album What I Do. It peaked at number 18 on the United States Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.[1]
"The Talkin' Song Repair Blues" | ||||
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Single by Alan Jackson | ||||
from the album What I Do | ||||
Released | March 21, 2005 | |||
Recorded | 2004 | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 2:58 | |||
Label | Arista Nashville | |||
Songwriter(s) | Dennis Linde | |||
Producer(s) | Keith Stegall | |||
Alan Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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Content
The song's lyrics use car repair as an analogy for songwriting. A songwriter and a repairman discuss their trades with each other, with the songwriter "fixing" a song that the repairman has written.[2] Jackson said that he and producer Keith Stegall had intended to cut the song for at least two previous albums before it was finally included on What I Do.[2]
Critical reception
Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that Jackson "has a chance to exact a little justice, by working on his song." She goes on to say that the song "boasts some of Linde's most inventive lyrics, and Jackson delivers each line with a tongue-in-cheek attitude that is sure to elicit smiles."[3] Nick Marino of Entertainment Weekly gave the song a positive review, contrasting it with "Burnin' the Honky Tonks Down" on the same album. He wrote that both songs were "a hoot and a half."[4]
Music video
The video was directed by Margaret Malandruccolo and released in May 2005. Actors Anthony Clark (as the customer/songwriter) and former Nickelodeon GUTS and Get the Picture host Mike O'Malley (as the mechanic), then cast members of the CBS sitcom Yes, Dear, appear in the video.
The video begins with Clark's car breaking down in front of a garage. He has O'Malley look at it, and he tells Clark the distributor cap is broken, and to come back (as he was lucky that this was the only garage for 50 miles). The song then begins, and the rest of the video goes exactly as the song states, with both actors mouthing the dialogue in the song. Finally, Jackson pulls up in a Ford GT with "Yee Haw" on the licence plate, and offers to take Clark to his destination. He tells O'Malley to have the car ready, and he and Jackson drive off, leaving O'Malley confused as he goes back into the garage.
Alan is also seen performing the song near a fence while playing guitar.
Chart performance
"The Talkin' Song Repair Blues" debuted at number 45 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of April 2, 2005.
Chart (2005) | Peak position |
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US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 18 |
US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 99 |
References
- Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
- Bessman, Jim (6 November 2004). "Drexler's Caterpillar Smokes; Linde Looks Under the Hood". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
- Billboard, April 2, 2005
- Marino, Nick (17 September 2004). "What I Do review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
- "Alan Jackson Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
- "Alan Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 September 2010.