Set 'Em Up Joe

"Set 'Em Up Joe" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Vern Gosdin. It was released in April 1988 as the second single from the album Chiseled in Stone. The song was Gosdin's second number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of fifteen weeks within the Top 40.^[1] Gosdin wrote the song with Dean Dillon, Buddy Cannon and Hank Cochran.

"Set 'Em Up Joe"
Single by Vern Gosdin
from the album Chiseled in Stone
B-side	"There Ain't Nothing Wrong (Just Ain't Nothing Right)"
Released	April 1988
Recorded	1987
Genre	Country
Length	2:26
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Hank Cochran Buddy Cannon Dean Dillon Vern Gosdin
Producer(s)	Bob Montgomery
Vern Gosdin singles chronology
"Do You Believe Me Now" (1987) "Set 'Em Up Joe" (1988) "Chiseled in Stone" (1988)

Content

The song was a tribute to country music legend Ernest Tubb. The narrator is bereft that his partner has left him and takes to playing "Walking the Floor Over You" on the jukebox at the bar. The lyrics reference other famed country stars like Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams Sr.

Cover versions

The song was covered by Jamey Johnson on his 2010 album The Guitar Song.

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1988) Peak position US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[2] 1 Canadian RPM Country Tracks 2

Year-end charts Chart (1988) Position Canadian RPM Country Tracks[3] 13 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4] 3