Ergo, the Ogre

Once again, it’s time for Song Lyric Sunday. This week, Jim has tasked us with choosing a song that incorporates night/evening/dusk/twilight/day/sunrise/daybreak/dawn suggested by Di of pensitivity101. So, I’ve decided on Bubba Shot the Jukebox by Mark Chestnutt.

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The Story

Bubba Shot the Jukebox is a song written by Dennis Linde and recorded by American country music singer Mark Chesnutt. It was released in September 1992 as the third single from his album Longnecks & Short Stories. It peaked at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and at number 14 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

It tells the story of a man named Bubba who becomes emotionally overwhelmed by a sad song playing on the jukebox at Margie’s bar. The song evokes such strong emotions within Bubba that he reacts impulsively and shoots the jukebox with a .45 caliber pistol. The lyrics portray Bubba as a character who is not mentally stable and prone to irrational behavior.

The chorus repeats the message that Bubba shot the jukebox because the sad song made him cry. The verses describe the aftermath of the incident, with Bubba being confronted by the police and ultimately arrested. Despite the charges of reckless discharge of a firearm, Bubba maintains that his actions were justifiable because he purposefully aimed at the jukebox.

Released in 1992 as a single from his album “Longnecks & Short Stories,” Bubba Shot The Jukebox quickly gained popularity, becoming a fan favorite and a staple of country music radio stations. The song is characterized by its upbeat tempo, catchy melody, and humorous lyrics that tell a story that is both relatable and outrageous. Chesnutt’s sincere vocals convey both the tenderness and the humor of the narrator, creating a connection with listeners who appreciate the song’s honest portrayal of love and life.

It is also the ringtone on my cell phone.

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The Lyrics

We were all down at Margie's bar
Tellin' stories if we had one
Someone fired the old jukebox up
The song it sure was a sad one
A teardrop rolled down Bubba's nose
From the pain the song was inflictin'
And all at once he jumped to his feet
Just like somebody kicked him.

Bubba shot the jukebox last night
Said it played a sad song, it made him cry
Went to his truck and got a 45
Bubba shot the jukebox last night.

Bubba ain't never been accused
Of bein' mentally stable
So we did not draw an easy breath
'Til he laid that Colt on the table
He hung his head 'til the cops showed up
He tried to ride outta Margie's
They told him, "Don't you play dumb with us son
You know damn well what the charge is"

Bubba shot the jukebox last night
Said it played a sad song, it made him cry
Went to his truck and got a 45
Well, he shot the jukebox last night

When the sheriff arrived with his bathrobe on
The confrontation was a tense one
He shook his head and said
"Bubba boy, you was always a dense one"
A reckless discharge of a gun
That's what the officers are claimin'
Bubba hollered out reckless hell
I hit just where I was aimin'

Bubba shot the jukebox last night
Said it played a sad song, it made him cry
Went to his truck and got a 45
Well, he shot the jukebox
Stopped it with one shot
Bubba shot the jukebox last night

Well, he could not tell right from wrong
Through the teardrops in his eyes
Beyond a shadow of a doubt
It was a justifiable homicide

Bubba shot the jukebox
Stopped it with one shot
Bubba shot the jukebox last night

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The Video