Girls on Bars

Album: True Grit (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Bret Michaels is best known for being the frontman of the rock band Poison, but he has a country side to him as well, which is reflected on this song. The singer told Sam Alex of Taste of Country Nights that he didn't go into the writing process looking to write a country or a rock number, but instead focused on a feeling. "When I was writing 'Girls on Bars' [with] Luke Laird … I said, 'I need a summer feel,'" he told Alex. "When I wrote this song, I wrote it to be, you know, play in the country format and also the rock format. It's a very Americana song, but I said, 'Luke, I wanna write a song that reminds me of summer.'"

    "What do we wanna see? We wanna see girls dancing on bars, partying, having fun," Michaels added. "When I say that, it's more of just an image of you work hard all week, then have a great time."
  • Co-writer Luke Laird has penned hits for a number of country stars, including Little Big Town ("Pontoon"), Carrie Underwood ("Last Name") and Luke Bryan ("I See You"). "I was touring in the dead of winter and I said, 'Luke, I need a Bret Michaels fun summer party song and I have an idea,'" Michaels recalled to Billboard magazine. "He's a fellow Pennsylvanian, so we completely related."

    "No matter where you're from or who you are, we all want to have a great time," the singer added. "We all need a release. Summertime makes me think of people dancing at the bars, having fun. I think of girls on bars and guys driving fast cars. People are looking for a party after a long cold winter."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."