“Things Change,” But Country Singer Bobby Bare’s Still in Top Form

The Nashville crooner’s new album is a winner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmgDQD7SI3E

Bobby Bare
Things Change
Hypermedia

Courtesy of Webster Public Relations

What a career: Nashville’s Bobby Bare enjoyed his first chart success in late ’50s with the witty talking blues “The All American Boy,” was a standout crooner in the ’60s with hits like “500 Miles Away from Home,” which anticipated the countrypolitan sound, and rode the crest of the outlaw movement in the ’70s, playing drunk and crazy to perfection. Today, in his early 80s, he’s still making great records, as Things Change demonstrates. Though his voice has inevitably grown rougher and deeper with time, Bare is still a smart, wonderfully expressive singer who brings subtle and surprising shades to the simplest lyrics. Writing or co-writing most of the songs—including “Trophy Girl,” the final work of the great Guy Clark—on this easygoing blend of down home country and laid-back pop, he ponders the passing of time and enduring human foibles with the unflappable grace of a weathered philosopher who’s seen at all. For added commercial appeal, current superstar Chris Stapleton joins Bare for a solid remake of his 1963 smash “Detroit City,” but every track on Things Change is a winner. Don’t ever retire, Bobby.

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate