You Left Me in the Best Bar
By Debbie “Hayride” Harper & The Prairie Songbirds
Verse 1
You walked out the door, left me high and dry,
But honestly, darlin’, I don’t know why.
I’m sittin’ here in the best bar around,
Where the whiskey flows and troubles drown.
The bartender’s craftin’ magic in a glass,
Your leaving might not kick my ass.
Chorus
You left me in the best bar I’ve ever been to,
Where the drinks come cheap, and the spirits are true.
I’m loungin’ on leather, no stick to the floor,
And the salad? Fresh, like never before.
Yeah, I’m sad you’re gone, but here’s the thing—
This place is heaven, so let’s see what it brings.
You left me in the best bar I’ve ever been to,
And I might just be fine once I’m through.
Verse 2
The jukebox spins my favorite tune,
And the bar’s, babe, not just a saloon.
No sticky tables, no wobbly chair,
But still, I’m cryin’ over a lost affair.
They pour top-shelf whiskey without a care,
Yet, I might wish you were still there.
Chorus
You left me in the best bar I’ve ever been to,
Where the dartboard’s new, and the aim rings true.
The bartender’s laughing, pouring shots like rain,
But my heart’s still heavy, nursing the pain.
I’m missin’ you, but darlin’, you see,
This place is startin’ to patch up me.
You left me in the best bar I’ve ever been to,
But I might just be fine once I’m through.
Bridge
The bathrooms are spotless, the bull’s buckin’ right,
But I’m sippin’ slow, just gettin’ through the night.
The pool table’s level, the neon lights glow,
Your memory might linger wherever I go.
Verse 3
The floors don’t stick, and the glasses gleam,
This bar’s so good, it could be a dream.
The bartender cracks jokes, keeps the drinks flowing,
But baby, it’s you that keeps me wondering.
Chorus
You left me in the best bar I’ve ever been to,
Where the lights stay low, and the vibe’s brand new.
I’m sippin’ on premium, bargain-priced bliss,
Your leaving stings less, in a place like this.
This bar’s five stars, but it can’t replace,
The memory of love that graced your face.
You left me in the best bar I’ve ever been to,
And maybe I’ll pull through once I’m through.
Outro
So here’s to the bartenders, the drinks, and the brew,
I’ll raise a glass and I’m sure to forget you.
Bridge
AND the place is full of lonely cowboys.
And they’re sure not schoolboys.
You left me in the best bar I’ve ever been to,
And funny enough, I just might pull through.
————–
Interview with Alan Nafzger: Crafting Songs from Country Classics
Interviewer: Alan, you’ve written some remarkable songs. Could you talk about your inspiration behind them, especially the latest one where you merge two country hits? What sparked that idea?
Alan Nafzger: Well, I was tuning into a Nashville radio station, listening for new ideas like I always do. The first song that played was Riley Green’s “Damn Good Day to Leave,” and right after that, Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar” came on. It was like the universe was laying out a blueprint for me! Both songs hit me differently, but together they painted a unique picture. My wife, Vicki, was lying next to me, listening along, and that’s when it clicked. I thought, “What if I blended these two stories from a female’s point of view?”
Interviewer: That sounds like a fascinating combination. Could you explain a bit more about how you tied those two songs together?
Alan Nafzger: Sure! Riley Green’s “Damn Good Day to Leave” talks about the pull to get away, that urge to move on, while Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar” celebrates the comfort and sense of belonging in a familiar place. I thought it’d be interesting to take those conflicting emotions—wanting to leave but also finding solace in the simplest places—and put them into the voice of a woman. I imagined a character who’s ready to move on but keeps coming back to the same bar, the same small town, because it’s all she’s known. It became a story about inner conflict—being torn between staying and going.
Interviewer: So, the female perspective brought new depth to those songs?
Alan Nafzger: Exactly. Most of the time, country music from a male perspective celebrates the simple life, the familiar comforts. But I thought about how it would feel from a woman’s point of view, where those same comforts—like the local bar—might represent something she’s ready to leave behind. It’s about finding peace but also realizing that sometimes, peace isn’t enough if you’re looking for something more.
Interviewer: You mentioned Vicki was there when this idea hit you. Does she influence your songwriting process?
Alan Nafzger: Vicki’s got this way of making me see things differently. She’s a great listener and sometimes just hearing her perspective opens up new possibilities in a song. In this case, she was lying there, and I thought about how these songs, especially from a male point of view, might sound different if told by someone like her—strong, but wrestling with her own desires. That’s where the idea came to life.
Interviewer: Can you give us a glimpse into how you merged these themes lyrically?
Alan Nafzger: Well, I played with the contrast—Riley Green’s theme of escape and Toby Keith’s celebration of staying. The verses reflect the push to leave, while the chorus brings her back to that bar, where she feels the most like herself but also the most conflicted. It’s almost like she’s in a tug-of-war with her own heart. I used the imagery of the bar and the open road to show that duality.
Interviewer: It sounds like you pulled a lot from personal experience, too.
Alan Nafzger: Definitely. I’ve been in those moments where you feel torn between comfort and change, and music has always been a way to express that. Country music is great for telling those kinds of stories because it’s all about real, relatable emotions. And blending two songs that talk about different sides of that same experience made it even richer.
Interviewer: Your work seems to merge classic country with a fresh perspective. What’s your hope for this new song?
Alan Nafzger: I hope it resonates with anyone who’s ever been stuck in that push-and-pull. Sometimes life hands you conflicting feelings, and music helps you sort it out. If this song can make someone feel understood or give them a voice, then I’ve done my job.
For more information on Riley Green’s “Damn Good Day to Leave,” you can check out the lyrics and background on Genius.
For more information on Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar,” you can check out the lyrics and background on Wiki.
