Alan Jackson – The Talkin’ Song Repair Blues (Official Music Video)

Introduction:

Released in 1990 as the lead single from his album “Here in the Heartland,” Alan Jackson’s “The Talkin’ Song Repair Blues” quickly became a fan favorite and a defining moment in his career. This poignant country ballad showcases Jackson’s storytelling prowess and his ability to connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level.

Penned by Jackson himself, along with veteran songwriter Roger Murrah, “The Talkin’ Song Repair Blues” paints a vivid picture of a weary songwriter struggling to mend the broken hearts of his listeners. The song’s central metaphor of a “song repair shop” serves as a poignant commentary on the healing power of music and the role that artists play in our lives.

With its introspective lyrics and melancholic melody, “The Talkin’ Song Repair Blues” resonated with listeners across the country. The song’s relatable themes of heartbreak, loneliness, and the search for meaning struck a chord with audiences, propelling it to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Jackson’s heartfelt performance, coupled with the song’s evocative imagery, made “The Talkin’ Song Repair Blues” a standout track on “Here in the Heartland.” The album itself was a critical and commercial success, solidifying Jackson’s position as one of country music’s leading voices.

“The Talkin’ Song Repair Blues” continues to be regarded as one of Jackson’s finest moments, a testament to his enduring songwriting talent and his ability to craft timeless music that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Video:

Lyrics:

“The Talkin’ Song Repair Blues”

The mechanic raised up from under my hood
And he shook his head and said, “This ain’t good
Your timin’ belt’s done shrunk one size too small
Those spark plug wires are a little too long
And your main prodsponder’s nearly gone
Your injector ports are stripped and that ain’t all”“The torque converter’s runnin’ low on torque
And that water pump’s nearly down a quart
But we caught it all in time so you’re in luck”
He said, “I’ve got the time and I’ve got the parts
Just give me the word and I’m ready to start
I think we can bring her in for eight hundred bucks”

But don’t be downhearted, I can fix it for you, sonny
It won’t take too long, it’ll just take money

Then he said, “Aren’t you that songwriter guy?”
And I said, “Yes, I am,” he said, “So am I.”
He sat down and played me a song by the grease rack
When he finished singin’, he gave me a smile
And I closed my eyes and pondered awhile
And he said, “What do you think? Now don’t hold nothin’ back”

Well, I gave him my most sorrowful look
And I said, “This song’s got a broken hook
I can order you a new one from Nashville, but it won’t be cheap
And I know you’ve been using a cut-rate thesaurus
‘Cause your adverbs have backed up into your chorus
Now your verse is runnin’ on verbs that are way too weak”

But don’t be downhearted, I can fix it for you, sonny
It won’t take too long, it’ll just take money

And I said, “Hold on friend now I’m not through
I hate to be the one to give you this news
But your whole melodic structure’s worked itself loose
It’s got so many dotted eighth notes in it
I’d keep her under fifty beats per minute
I mean, that’s just me talkin’, it’s really up to you”

“You’ve got a bad safety problem with
That dominant chord with the augmented fifth
Just see how dangerously high it raises you up
So just go on over there and work on my car
I’ll sit here by the fan and chances are
I can straighten this thing out for eigh… nine hundred bucks”

But don’t be downhearted, I can fix it for you, sonny
It won’t take too long, it’ll just take money
Don’t be downhearted, I can fix it for you, sonny
It won’t take too long
You guessed it
It may be a hit
I like it