Johnny Lee – Hey Bartender

It was first recorded by Floyd Dixon in 1955 on Cat Records 114; the label credits «Terry» as composer. A cover by «Blue Boo Boo» Blazer & Little Archie Taylor with Geechie Hicks & His Creole Combo was released as a B-side in 1959 and it was credited to «Blazer-Williams». A cover by Laurel Aitken in 1961 titled «Bar Tender» made the song a success, though the Blue Beat 45 label credited «L. Aitken» as composer. It was subsequently covered and recorded live by The Blues Brothers in 1978, although the composer credit on the Atlantic Records release indicated «Floyd Dickson».

It was also recorded by American country music artist Johnny Lee, though his release also credited «Floyd Dickson» as composer. It was released in June 1983 as the first single and title track from his album, Hey Bartender. The song reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number 1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.

From the album Hey Bartender
Released June 1983
Genre Country
Length 2:44
Label Full Moon
Songwriter(s) Dossie Terry
Producer(s) Jimmy Bowen

Johnny Lee – Hey Bartender Lyrics

Went partying the other night
Started drinking and got real tight
We was playing with all our friends
Felt so good we had to play it again

Hey bartender, hey man
(Hey bartender)
Here
(Hey bartender)
Draw a one, draw a two
Draw a three more glasses of beer

Now she was sitting down on the end
I said, «Baby can we be friends
You look as sweet as can be
Cone on down and drink with me»

Hey bartender, hey man
(Hey bartender)
Hey bartender
(Hey bartender)
Draw a one, draw a two
Draw a three more glasses of beer

Well we was having so much fun
I didn’t know it was half past one
Turned around gonna have one more
I looked at the clock and it was half past four

Hey bartender, hey man
(Hey bartender)
Hey bartender
(Hey bartender)
Draw a one, draw a two
Draw a three more glasses of beer

Well the jukebox playing and everything
Everybody was beginning to sing
That’s when I heard somebody call
Last call for alcohol

Hey bartender, hey man
(Hey bartender)
Hey bartender
(Hey bartender)
Hey bartender, lookie here
(Hey bartender)
Hey bartender
(Hey bartender)
Draw a one, draw a two
Draw a three more glasses of beer