So, last weekend, I was at my local, and a friend was grooving to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone”, gushing that it just made him feel good, tapping some emotional spring that made him forget his troubles. Apparently about two thirds of those present agreed strongly, and noone was cringing. Less than 45 minutes later, it started up again, and the friend began the spiel verbatim. This time, patrons (including those out of our earshot) were visibly, if minorly, distressed. Twenty seconds in, silence ensued, and I accused the bartender of skipping it. His denial was plausible, as he pointed out that most of the regulars know that a quick yank/reinsertion of the jukebox’s plug will skip only the current entry, leaving the other paid plays safely in memory. There were several disappointed groans, and a few muted sighs of relief; nearly everyone, though, was elevated by the track that came on after the five seconds of silence: The Pretenders’ “Tattooed Love Boys”.

And the point? Well, maybe there’s not a firm one. But maybe it’s cool to think that a really rockin’ lady can bridge the gap of those both disappointed and glad that a big hit’s just been skipped. Maybe it’s that in these sanitized times when bartenders are afraid to offend their customers, one of the audience will take control of a situation. And maybe it’s that someone is trying to educate the sheep to NOT play the most popular songs on the jukebox SO DAMN OFTEN.

After all, the difference between a fun bar song and a three month blight often just boils down to how unavoidable the tune is.