AN: As I said before, I DO NOT own any of the songs mentioned in this chapter. All credit for the songs go to their performers and/or songwriters.
When the band finished performing Rawhide, everyone in the bar was cheering & throwing bottles at the chicken wire.
"I always liked performing in chaotic places." Maria commented with a smile, glad that she made it through her first song as a member of the band. She then noticed Jake writing down something on some paper he found.
"What's that?" she asked him curiously.
"My master plan" he replied as he slammed the paper down, proudly on top of a speaker. Elwood picked it up & read it.
"Is this our new set list?"
"yup, so I hope you guys know these songs." Jake replied as Elwood passed down the list. Once Maria got a hold of it, she sighed in relief as she read the list
Stand By Your Man- Tammy Wynette
Walkin' after Midnight- Patsy Cline
Get Rhythm –Johnny Cash
"I know the songs" she commented "but why only three?"
"This bar isn't open all night." Replied Jake with a smug smile "and as you probably noticed, Bob is old."
She glances at Bob who's talking to the bartender lady.
"Yeah, so?"
"So" he continued "Senior citizens like him have to go to bed early, so it won't be long before he has to close the place for the night."
"Clever" she replied, holding back a laugh. "Ok, let's continue this thing."
The band turned back to their audience & began their next song…
"This song is our favorite; hope it's one of yours" Jake said into the mike as Matt played the riff
Sometimes it's hard to be a woman
Giving all your love to just one man
And if you love him
Oh, be proud of him
Cause after all he's just a man
Stand by your man
Give him two arms to cling to
And something warm to come to
when nights are cold and lonely
Stand by your man
And show the world you love him
Keep giving all the love you can
Stand by your man
It's so funny how guys are singing this song thought Maria with a smile as she played & watched the brothers sing
Stand by your man
And show the world you love him
Keep giving all the love you can
To add a little originality, Elwood sang an extra lyric much to Maria's enjoyment
Baby!
Stand by your man
The crowd cheered louder & threw more bottles much to the bands relief.
"I'm glad we're able to do this." Maria commented as she drank a beer.
"You sing the next one." Jake told her
"What? Why me? You guys are leading vocals, not me!" She complained
"We sang a chick song!" Jake complained right back to her "The next song is a chick song and you're a chick, so sing it!"
She rolled her eyes & fixed her microphone I'm so glad I prefer his brother…
When everyone had calmed down, she began playing the Hawaiian like riff of "Walkin' after Midnight" and swayed side to side to the rhythm of the music.
I go out walkin' after midnight; out in the moonlight
just like we used to do. I'm always walkin' after midnight searchin' for you.
I walk for miles, along the highway, well that's just my way, of sayin I love you.
I'm always walkin' after midnight searchin' for you.
I stop to see a weepin' willow cryin' on his pillow, maybe he's cryin' for me, and as the skies turn gloomy, night winds whisper to me, I'm lonesome as I can be
I go out walkin' after midnight, out in the moonlight, just hopin' you may be somewhere a walkin' after midnight searchin' for me
Country music never sounded so good Elwood thought as he watched her dreamily from backstage. Jake looked at his brother, at Maria, and at his brother again with a smug grin on his face. That smile says it all "Elwood loves Maria! Elwood loves Maria!" Jake taunted. Elwood blushed & was about to say something, but the song was almost going to end so they stood up to get ready to go back onstage. "Look, if you like her so much, why don't you ask her out?" Jake asked with a shrug. "After the gig, I'll leave with the guys & you can ask her in privacy."
Elwood liked the idea, but at the same time, he was nervous about it.
Will she say yes?
Or no?
He just shrugged at him. "Thanks"
I stop to see a weepin' willow cryin' on his pillow, maybe he's cryin' for me, and as the skies turn gloomy, night winds whisper to me, I'm lonesome as I can be
I go out walkin' after midnight, out in the moonlight, just hopin' you may be somewhere a walkin' after midnight searchin' for me
The song ended & she bowed down, showing courtesy for her audience. She turned her head towards the brothers & motioned for them to come back onstage. As they go back onstage, Maria got an acoustic guitar from backstage & reappeared onstage. She began the riff & this time Elwood began singing the infamous Johnny Cash song.
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
C'mon, get rhythm when you get the blues
Yes a jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine
It'll shake all the trouble from your worried mind
Get rhythm when you get the blues
Little shoeshine boy never gets low down
But he's got the dirtiest job in town
Bendin' low at the peoples' feet
On the windy corner of the dirty street
Well, I asked him while he shined my shoes
How'd he keep from gettin' the blues
He grinned as he raised his little head
Popped a shoeshine rag and then he said
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
C'mon, get rhythm when you get the blues
Yes a jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine
It'll shake all the trouble from your worried mind
Get rhythm when you get the blues
He has a good country voice. Better than his brother for sure. Maria thought as she continuously played the acoustic riff & Matt played the solo.
Well, I sat down to listen to the shoeshine boy
And I thought I was gonna jump for joy
Slapped on the shoe polish left and right
He took a shoeshine rag and he held it tight
He stopped once to wipe the sweat away
I said you're a mighty little boy to be-a workin' that way
He said I like it with a big wide grin
Kept on a poppin' and he said again
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
C'mon, get rhythm when you get the blues
Yes a jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine
It'll shake all the trouble from your worried mind
Get rhythm when you get the blues
The crowd was cheering yet again, but as Jake anticipated, many of them began leaving. Maria looked at the time
Midnight
Hmm. Talk about an early curfew…
As the crowd began leaving & as the place was getting cleaned up, some of the band members started packing their things, but Jake stopped them "What about an encore?"
"Screw that, we're leaving" replied Mr. Fabulous rudely "Next time you get us a gig, don't make us get involved with fucking country music again."
The members except for Maria began leaving and the brothers were left onstage alone with their guitarist, feeling a bit angry & embarrassed. To prevent making the guys look stupid, Maria played a bit of the Rawhide riff & told them "let's make the last chorus line of Rawhide the encore song. You only need each other & me to play it anyway so let's do it."
Jake shrugged in agreement "Sure what the hell?"
"Well folks, time to call it a night." Elwood told the remaining audience through the mike as the solo was being played "Do what you can & get both feet on the wheel. You don't have to go home but you can't stay here so until next time…"
Move 'em on head' em up
Head 'em up move' em on
Move 'em on head' em up
Rawhide
Count 'em out ride 'em in
Ride 'em in count 'em out
Count 'em out
Ride 'em in Rawhide
RAWHIDE!
After the encore & after the band got its share of the door money, the brothers & Maria arrived outside with their microphones, ready to pack up the stuff until they realize the rest of the band already left. Jake couldn't leave with the band so Elwood can ask Maria out alone…
"Well," Elwood said a little fed up as he put the mikes in the trunk "I can take you guys back to the hotel now if you want."
"Eh, alright. Man this sucks, I'm not even tired." Maria replied as she packed the guitars & shut the trunk door.
"Me neither" Elwood responded
"I'm tired" said Jake as nudged his brother's side a bit, jerked his head towards Maria and gave him a 'Now's your chance' look. Elwood adjusted his tie uncomfortably & took a deep breath. "So uh Maria…since we're both not tired, do you…uh…want to get a cup of coffee with me or something?"
The guitarist smiled at him kindly & got in the passenger's seat "Sure."
Elwood felt triumphant as he sat in the driver's seat, but by the time he dropped off Jake at the hotel, he began to feel not only triumphant but determined.
Determined to try to win her heart as she had won his.
AN: I decided to extend the amount of songs the Blues Brothers band performed at Bobs country bunker, because "Stand By Your Man" can't be the only song they must have performed after "Rawhide"! But I added the whole "Bob is old & closes early" thing because I couldn't think of anymore country songs the band could've known or played
But at least Elwood & Maria finally get a date!
Will it go well or not?
Find out, on the next installment of "Everybody Needs Somebody"!
(plays the song as the story's theme song)
R&R please!