"The Bartender and the Thief" is a song by Welsh rock band

Stereophonics Stereophonics are a Welsh rock band formed in 1992 in the village of Cwmaman in the Cynon Valley, Wales. The band consists of Kelly Jones (lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards), Richard Jones (bass guitar, harmonica, backing vocals), Adam Zind ...

, written by the band in April 1998. The song is the second track on their second album, ''

Performance and Cocktails ''Performance and Cocktails'' is the second studio album by Welsh rock band Stereophonics. It was released by V2 on 8 March 1999. The name of the album comes from lyrics in the album's first song, "Roll Up and Shine", just like the previous a ...

'' (1999). "Bartender" was the first single taken from ''Performance and Cocktails'' and was released on 9 November 1998, reaching number three on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. The music video features the band playing at Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, and is based on the Francis Ford Coppola movie ''

Apocalypse Now ''Apocalypse Now'' is a 1979 American epic war film produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The screenplay, co-written by Coppola, John Milius and Michael Herr, is loosely based on the 1899 novella ''Heart of Darkness'' by Joseph Conr ...

''.

Versions

The track's full-length intro is only included on the CD1 single and in the music video but was edited off the album. A live version from

Cardiff Castle Cardiff Castle ( cy, Castell Caerdydd) is a medieval castle and Victorian Gothic revival mansion located in the city centre of Cardiff, Wales. The original motte and bailey castle was built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top ...

is available on CD2 of the single. Another live version from

Sheffield Arena Sheffield Arena, known for sponsorship purposes as Utilita Arena Sheffield, is a multi-purpose arena located in Sheffield, England. It is situated near Meadowhall and lies between Sheffield city centre and Rotherham town centre. Opened in 1991 ...

is on the " Moviestar" single. A bar version of the song is on CD 1 of the "

I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio "I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio" is the fourth single released from Welsh rock band Stereophonics' second studio album, ''Performance and Cocktails'' (1999), on which the song appears as the seventh track. The single was released in August 1999 an ...

" single.

Live performances

The song, which is one of

' heavier tracks, is frequently played amongst their live sets. During live performances, vocalist

Kelly Jones Kelly Jones (born 3 June 1974) is a Welsh singer-songwriter and a founding member, lead singer, and guitarist of the rock band Stereophonics. Early life and debut Kelly Jones was born youngest of three boys for Beryl and Arwyn Jones in the s ...

has been known to use the two bars without vocals before the final chorus to reference the

Motörhead Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...

song "

Ace of Spades The Ace of Spades (also known as the Spadille and Death Card) is traditionally the highest and most valued card in the deck of playing cards in English-speaking countries. The actual value of the card varies from game to game. Design The orn ...

". The lyrics therefore are "The ace of spades, the ace of spades. The bartender and the thief were lovers..."

Track listings

UK CD1 # "The Bartender and the Thief" # "She Takes Her Clothes Off" # "Fiddler's Green" UK CD2 # "The Bartender and the Thief" (live from

) # "

Traffic Traffic comprises pedestrians, vehicles, ridden or herded animals, trains, and other conveyances that use public ways (roads) for travel and transportation. Traffic laws govern and regulate traffic, while rules of the road include traffic ...

" (live from Cardiff Castle) # "Raymond's Shop" (live from Cardiff Castle) UK 7-inch and cassette single # "The Bartender and the Thief" # "She Takes Her Clothes Off" European and Australian CD single # "The Bartender and the Thief" # "She Takes Her Clothes Off" # "The Bartender and the Thief" (live) # "Traffic" (live) # "Raymond's Shop" (live)

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the ''

'' album booklet. Recording * Written in April 1998 * Recorded at Real World (

Bath, Somerset Bath () is a city in the Bath and North East Somerset unitary area in the county of Somerset, England, known for and named after its Roman-built baths. At the 2021 Census, the population was 101,557. Bath is in the valley of the River Avon, ...

, England) * Mastered at

Metropolis A metropolis () is a large city or conurbation which is a significant economic, political, and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections, commerce, and communications. A big c ...

(London, England) Personnel * Kelly Jones – music, lyrics, vocals, guitar * Richard Jones – music, bass *

Stuart Cable Stuart James Cable (19 May 1970 – 7 June 2010) was a Welsh rock drummer and broadcaster, best known as the original drummer for the band Stereophonics. Early life Cable was born in Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on 19 May 1970. When he was 10 ...

– music, drums * Marshall Bird – keyboards * Bird & Bush – production * Al Clay – mixing * Ian Cooper – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bartender And The Thief, The 1998 singles 1998 songs Songs written by Kelly Jones Stereophonics songs UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles V2 Records singles