Today I pose the question: how far would go to find the just-right bar? While you ponder that, consider that John Haywood may still be out there looking for that goldilocks country dive. On his latest single, “Midnight Cowboy,” he laments the soulless and repetitive state of the modern honky tonk. No amount of eye candy or good tequila can replace the loss of country spirit, and so he rolls off into the night to track down a place that will fill the void. His deep respect of the classics is on display in his lyrics, with nods to Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard in the chorus. A 12 string electric guitar riff kicks off the song, sounding as if The La’s had grown up under a blue Southern sky instead of the cloudy gloom of Liverpool. The steady, driving beat ensures the song remains engaging, while its laid-back nature keeps it from ever feeling rushed or tense. This juxtaposition mirrors the thematic quest of the song itself—a search for authenticity in a landscape that often feels contrived. John’s vocal, with its pleasant, nasal twang and a charming Southern lilt, carries a depth of emotion that resonates throughout the tune. It’s a voice that feels both familiar and timeless, inviting you to join his midnight quest for that elusive, genuine honky tonk magic. In the end it’s never revealed if he finds what he’s looking for, but if the search results in more songs like “Midnight Cowboy” he might accidentally create it for himself.
