Introduction:
Set ’em Up Joe is a poignant country ballad released in 1988. The song, written by Vern Gosdin himself alongside Bobby Braddock, became a signature tune for the artist and a country music favorite. Set ’em Up Joe belongs to the genre of traditional country music, characterized by its focus on themes of heartbreak, love, and everyday struggles, often delivered with a melancholic or relatable tone.
The song paints a vivid picture of a man seeking solace in a familiar bar setting. The narrator, presumably heartbroken by a recent departure, pleads with the bartender named Joe to “Set ’em up”, meaning to keep pouring him drinks. This repetitive plea acts as the emotional core of the song, highlighting the narrator’s deep sorrow and his need to numb the pain.
Set ’em Up Joe was included on Gosdin’s album Chiseled in Stone, released in 1988. The album itself was produced by Emory Gordy Jr., a Nashville veteran known for his work with artists like Tammy Wynette and Charley Pride. Chiseled in Stone was a critical and commercial success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Set ’em Up Joe was a major hit for Vern Gosdin. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1988, solidifying Gosdin’s place as a prominent country music artist. Set ’em Up Joe also achieved crossover success, reaching No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a testament to the song’s universal themes and relatable story. The song’s popularity helped establish Vern Gosdin as a household name and a true country music icon.
Video:
Lyrics:
They got a vintage Victrola 1951Full of my favorite records that I grew up onThey got ole Hank and Lefty and there’s B24Set ’em up Joe and play? Walking The Floor?Set ’em up Joe and play? Walking The Floor?I’m gonna spend the night like every night beforePlayin E.T. and I’ll play him some moreI’ve gotta have a shot of them old troubadoursSet ’em up Joe and play? Walking The Floor?Set ’em up Joe and play? Walking The Floor?All my neon neighbors they like what I play‘Cause they’ve heard it every night since you’ve walked awayEvery day they replace old B24‘Cause every night I run a needle through? Walking The Floor?Every night I run a needle through? Walking The Floor?I’m gonna spend the night like every night beforePlayin E.T. and I’ll play him some moreI’ve gotta have a shot of them old troubadoursSet ’em up Joe and play? Walking The Floor?Set ’em up Joe and play? Walking The Floor?I said “Set ’em up Joe and play? Walking The Floor'”Set ’em up Joe and play? Walking The Floor’