The Have Nots
by X

Album: Under The Big Black Sun (1982)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This one is a good 'ol drinking song typical of many Irish odes, but these bars are in the Los Angeles area, where X are from. So did the band really imbibe at places like the Beehive Bar and the Zircon Lounge? In a Songfacts interview with John Doe from X, he called this a "kind of a working man, drinking song" and explained that many of the bars they did indeed visit, but not all. Added Doe, "Most of them, the ones that we did visit, are closed. (laughs) They've gone the way of all good things."
  • X lead singer Exene Cervenka shares the songwriting credits to their songs with John Doe, and surprisingly, it was Exene who came up with the lyrics for this one even though it was sung by John.

Comments: 1

  • John from Los AngelesIf we were going to write this song based on bars that still exist in LA, I think we would include: Frolic Room, Alibi Room, Drawing Room, Chez Jay and King Eddy's.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.