If Thin Lizzy's 'The Boys Are Back In Town' Was An Alt Country Indie Rock Hit

I absolutely loved getting to know this song over the past couple of weeks. I had never given Thin Lizzy much thought or appreciation, but wow - these chords, the rhythms, the hooks - I was blown away. I spent a day just sitting down and learning the song, which is something I rarely need to do these days. I feel like I really LEARNED some music stuff this week. Anyway, go stream my new Taylor Swift cover and a bunch of other songs now: open.spotify.com/album/5De94u...
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMelt...
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMelt...
/ alexmelton

[@ClockworkGFX]

This is a saxophone and a piano away from being a Steely Dan song.

[@gregorymeeder3167]

Early Steely Dan

[@jackbaxter-williams8059]

That ending tho

[@damon-gn5xy]

van morrison

[@Rusted_Empire]

I can totally see that

[@mtbrdude]

Playing bass and singing at the same time is so hard. Sting and Phil Lynott are magical.

[@denisemorgan8975]

Benjamin Orr of The Cars

[@lockwoodstandard1855]

A streaming release and a new song on KZbin... yeah I'd say my Monday is turning around

[@prencher]

The boy is back in town

[@GNC761]

We're so back (in town)

[@JakusMyCakus]

This song will always remind me of a family vacation we took when I was 8. This was one of the only songs we had in the rental car for two weeks, but it absolutely made the trip for me as a kid singing on the road with my family. Whenever we go back there, this song is a must.

[@MrMooie]

This is great. The phrasing and then the outro made me think of how Counting Crows might cover it too.

[@faigler]

Ooh. Counting Crows covers on this channel (in any direction - as the cover-er or the cover-ee) would be a GREAT idea.

[@MrElegos]

Grew up listening to this Thin Lizzy song in my mums car. Loving this cover.

[@whats7257]

And heres the one that hit home the most. Grew up a huge Lizzy fan & this is a great twist to a classic.

[@tylerhawkins5817]

Alex, you don't get near the credit you deserve. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@EvilJester1991]

I love how I click on all of these songs expecting to find some funny gimmick, and end up finding a legit strong bop everytime.

[@rjd-man7551]

Legit going to make a playlist on my Spotify of just Alex Melton. Came across your channel by chance and have not been disappointed. Keep up the good work.

[@SpaceMonkeyMafia13]

Awesome job! Sounds like a Counting Crows song! Love it!

[@Ornitier23]

Man you knock it out the park every time, genuinely one of my favourite artists.

[@Ornitier23]

P.S come to the UK!

[@jordanvaughan912]

Played this song with my dad dueling guitars style all growing up. Great cover. Much respect. Keep up the excellent work.

[@andrewgilbert4155]

you know its a good song when you don't want it to stop

[@thinlizzy8019]

As a 60 year old irish lizzy fan and the pleasure of being on stage with Phil when I was a lad I'm in awe with your version rock on LIZZY FOR EVER

[@OhWhatsThisThen]

Man I LOVE this. Just sounds like it was always supposed to be this way ❤

[@CandEAdventures]

That solo! Chef’s kiss

[@samzalewski8990]

you just need to fully commit to it and start making "x song if it were written by Pinegrove"

[@DoNotPassGO]

As someone who dislikes most country music but thought this cover slaps, the first thing that came to mind was Pinegrove.

[@ehbaltazar5589]

What an amazing rendition!!! Hands down!

[@powerfistify]

I consider th OG version to be one of the greatest songs of all time. Huey Lewis and the News have a live cover that is absolutely amazing, but good lord your cover is pretty much at that top tier as well.

[@shout64]

This song was in one of my favorite skate videos when I was a kid (Dave Bachinsky for City), super underrated song and this cover does it more than justice

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

Local radio DJ used to put Woody Woodpecker on during the chorus . Ah ha hha hhha! Good job Alex👍

[@hyderalhassani4907]

Phil Lynott is hands down the best rock lyricist, a poetry that is unmatched. I hope you enjoy exploring their back catalog, one of m favourite bands

[@efsmiley1995]

I love the original spin on this! So damn creative!

[@reformedprops7748]

For the past week this song (original) has been on my mind and here you go.....Well played Alex, always a pleasure.

[@alexzedjay]

You continue to release wonderful music that me and my family all love listening to actively and as we get things done around the house. Keep doing what you are doing!

[@ruexperienced]

Fantastic brother! You re-imagine all these songs in such imaginative ways and in the end, never fail to make each song your own. Brilliant!

[@T1N_MAN_55]

Duuuudddeeee!!!! Thank you for finally bringing your vision to my all time favorite band!!! Love it man! So different,but still rips!

[@davidstillson]

Alex, you are amazing.. love this take on such a classic song!

[@mantis1977]

❤ #1 right now on the top 10 Country charts!!!!!!!!! Love it brother! This is the spring jam, raising a glass right now!

[@Clappers89]

Please come to the UK & play at the Country to Country festival; I'll buy you a beer 👍

[@lehammsamm]

Alex your talent knows no bounds!

[@twohandsguitarcompany]

Alex, I’m so glad I found your KZbin channel🎶🎶🎶 Your unique “re-imagination” of songs is captivatingly fun 😋

[@blunderbass851]

I'd really wanna hear another classic in this laid-back comfy style! American Pie

[@AirshipFury]

Great take on one of my all-time favorite songs, man!

[@scubasteve29388]

This is amazing. Just what I needed today. Thank you, Sir!

[@rudolphbotha]

This is incredible!! Thank you!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@danacoleman4007]

One of the coolest things about this concept is getting to hear an amazing tune that you've been listening to for decades and have possibly grown a little tired of, in a new way

[@mayge1234]

Proof that a great song is a great song no matter what.

[@nunancreative8932]

And you did them proud! Absolutely loved your take on this classic. You have great instincts and every arrangement I have heard from you adds something to the original. As a fellow drummer, I love what you are doing here, but I can't fault any of the other instruments either. Kudos brother!

[@CoastalKite]

Hope you're well Alex. We appreciate you

[@dgdrew1091]

Awesome! Great interpretation! It's always fun to hear a new twist on a great song.

[@pauldebrosse]

Nice guitar playing on this one! Awesome job, per usual!

[@festerburg87]

So good. Thank you for another awesome cover!

[@tylerdinner6673]

Hell yeah! Don't sleep on Thin Lizzy - incredible deep cuts and musicianship for days!

[@m.9212]

Oh hell yeah, this is beautifully honoring the original song. Thanks!

[@MOsesIcan]

Drums so on point ! ❤ did this song clear justice sir 🎉

[@MindsNmotors]

Man, this is just perfect. Thanks, Alex!

[@1Sulster]

Damn, Alex, you are recording some great stuff. In my early teens, through my twenties, I had the privilege of gigging in rock bands, and this was my favorite tune to play. Keep up the great work; this is the Shiits Man!

[@garrettmorano3038]

For the boys!

[@TuckNelly]

You got a straight up bop here, Alex. A tasty jam. A lick and a half I tell ya what

[@crush40cool]

This is amazing!!

[@yisroelmeth]

This is one of my new favorites of yours

[@eriksegura3190]

Man love your videos! Great work every time!!!! I love the genre benders man, that's what i tried to do back in my early twenties, and it didn't take off, now its the thing. Maybe i was ahead of my time lol. LOVING IT, keep up the awesome work!

[@ChrisLahay]

I wish KZbin had a "LOVE" button. This is awesome Alex!

[@fray6258]

I liked this one before hearing it because everything this guy does is good. Thank you.

[@dustin8834]

Alex, you are incredibly talented, first time I heard you, but that was just Awesome!!!

[@davetay44]

I adore the original, I'm not a fan of Country. But damn, this is amazing. It actually feels like this is how it was supposed to be played, and as I say I love the original. Kudos Alex, one of the best ones yet!

[@dtice69]

Oh hell yeah boys! We're droppin acid in the mud at Coachella with this one!

[@thegetawaycat]

😂

[@learekim]

Another awsome way to take a great song and make it something completely different, and still great!

[@benetedmunds]

Great cover of an immortal song. Instant smiles. I feel nostalgic, and I'm not sure what I'm nostalgic for!

[@stevebuburuz3530]

What an amazing cover, well done.

[@YBNegative]

Aww yeah man. This was brilliant!

[@bayoubro728]

The original felt like the singer was one of the titular Boys at the time of the song, speeding along into town with the Boys in a muscle car, the lot of them looking for a good time. This cover feels like the singer used to be one of the Boys but is no longer. It feels like Alex is playing this a tribute to those Boys from his front porch, raising a glass when he hears loud pipes in the distance.

[@SlenderKS]

one of the best producers ever

[@nintendave64]

This 100% sounds like if Counting Crows covered this song. And I’m all here for it.

[@BeardlessWhelp]

Just a couple 9th chords and tempo changes away from being a straight up Pinegrove song. Incredible.

[@davidvos3223]

Another solid gold Melton cover

[@themandolinmaniac]

Great job, Alex! Thanks

[@faigler]

This is a JAM. (Also, as someone else who doesn't think that much about Thin Lizzy, there is a reason everyone knows this song aside from it being generically appropriate for any group of 'boys'. It's pretty sweet.)

[@samgames8020]

Fantastic, this is perfect. I always think anything by Matchbox 20 or 3 Doors Down would make great country songs.

[@Memorh19]

Me too!!

[@GrahamLSimmons]

"Push (my Chevy)" 😂

[@hddrummer29]

Again with the chuguda-buguda fills man - you know just what I want

[@sodabread7956]

My high school gym teacher always played this song for 'warm up' - everytime I hear this song I'm transported back to running laps❤

[@metalmike362]

This is a really good cover, well done sir well done 🤌

[@DarkSnP]

Absolutely love this

[@danacoleman4007]

holy cow!!!! amazing!!!

[@KISSGreatestFan]

Thank you! Awesome!!!

[@MandatoryHashTags]

Saw that Waterloo on your desk. A man of taste I see.

[@DunkyGrunks]

You're making me nostalgic for Guitar Hero!

[@clipsmasterproductions7479]

Beautiful!!!

[@ChrisDay826]

so freaking good!

[@shawnhammond9074]

So good!

[@dannythomson8128]

Unreal talent 🥰

[@TimothyNguliMusic]

just beautiful

[@skast3r]

So good! 😁

[@EllieReagan]

Dude your electronic kit makes me wanna try electronic drums. Sounds soo good

[@tothag84]

The world needs a male country cover of Paramore "that's what you get"!!!

[@iohannesfactotum]

It needs Alex to do it justice

[@jenbdiamond]

The slower tempo is amazing. I'm a fan of the original, but I love this!

[@EpSoooN]

damn first time hearing you! you are a vibe!

[@jarrodmoore9]

Absolutely unbelievable

[@davidburns8324]

Incredible 😢

[@fkncarl9302]

It would be awesome to hear you cover some Rise Against.

[@chris3325]

Excellent.

[@BDOcrispy]

This mf don't miss

[@allforfourfour]

Killed it. Man, I know you probably get sick of taking requests, but I would absolutely love to hear what you would do with Easy Lover by Phil Collins and Philip Bailey. The thing that sticks out to me in that song is the absolute whiplash that the rhythm section gives anyone who dares bop their head to it. Joke's on you, though - they're forcing you to bop your head... they don't give you a choice. It's compulsory. They whole rhythm section is glued together at the hip, and their hips are glued to your head, and you're gonna bop whether you think you're doing it on purpose or not.

[@djjd2011]

You are a fucking genius. You floor me.

[@patrickcavanaugh4455]

hard to put the thin lizzy licks into a country groove but you did it! Nice

[@patrickcavanaugh4455]

Also I think if you put the call and response lead guitar after the vocals in the hook it would be too derivative. So its a subtle decision to not do it but, makes the difference. Nice.

[@thisisallthereis]

Nice keys at the end

[@PoorBoyProductions660]

I've got a few suggestions for the Blink-182/pop-punk series: Viva La Vida - Cold Play Old 45's - Chromeo It's Another Saturday Night - The Cockroaches Higher and Higher - Jackie Wilson/Howard Huntsberry Old Time Rock & Roll - Bob Segar Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins East Bound and Down - Jerry Reed I Like It Like That - Hot Chelle Rae Hotel Key - Old Dominion Green Green - The New Christy Minstrels (a Japanese band did a pop-punk style cover, but I can't find the video anymore) You Belong to Me - John Lindberg Trio Dancing in the Moonlight - King Harvest Saturday Night's Alright - Elton John Walk Like an Egyptian - The Bangles Sorry for the long list, but I kept thinking of more and more as I wrote them

[@Dck853]

just wow