Bobby Bare - How The Story Ends

lilymagallanes

Review by Lily Magallanes

Album Review: How The Story Ends by Bobby Bare (1982) Bobby Bare’s How The Story Ends is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. Released in 1982 under the Phonorama label, this country gem doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—it just tells stories so real they stick to your ribs. With its roots planted firmly in folk and country traditions, it’s an album that feels like sitting on a porch with a cup of coffee, listening to someone who’s lived a life worth hearing about. The tracklist itself reads like a short story collection, each song a snapshot of human emotion. Two tracks stand out for me personally—“West Virginia Woman” and “Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends.” “West Virginia Woman” grabs you right away with its raw honesty. It’s not flashy or overproduced; it’s just a man singing about love, longing, and the kind of woman who stays with you long after she’s gone. There’s something about the way Bare delivers the lyrics—it’s unpolished but deeply felt, like he’s whispering secrets only you’re meant to hear. You can almost picture the mountains, the quiet strength of the woman he’s describing. That authenticity? It hits different. Then there’s “Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends,” which closes the album on a bittersweet note. This song lingers because it taps into universal fears—uncertainty, loss, wanting things to stay as they are even when you know they can’t. Bare’s voice cracks just enough to make it feel personal, like he’s lived through whatever heartbreak he’s singing about. And honestly? It makes you want to call someone you care about and tell them everything’s gonna be okay—even if you’re not sure it will be. Other tracks like “Great Society Talkin’ Blues” bring some levity, while “A Lot Of Soul” reminds us why Bare has always been such a compelling storyteller. Even songs like “Puppy And The Parakeet,” which might sound quirky at first glance, have a charm that grows on you. What makes How The Story Ends special isn’t perfection—it’s humanity. These aren’t glossy pop-country anthems designed for stadiums; these are intimate tales meant for late nights and quiet moments. Sure, the production might feel a little dated now, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a time capsule from another era, one where music wasn’t afraid to breathe and let silence speak. If I had to leave you with one thought, it’d be this: albums like How The Story Ends remind us how fleeting good storytelling can be in today’s world. We scroll past headlines without pausing, swipe left or right without really seeing. But here’s an album that asks you to stop, listen, and maybe even cry a little. Funny thing is, by the end, you’ll feel better for it. So yeah, give it a spin. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself humming “West Virginia Woman” days later.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: bobby-bare-how-the-story-ends.zip
  • MP3 size: 43 mb
  • FLAC size: 374 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Great Society Talkin' Blues2:44
I Need Some Good News Bad3:00
Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends2:35
A Lot Of Soul3:05
Come Sundown2:44
Puppy And The Parakeet2:35
What Am I Gonna Do2:30
Short And Sweet2:28
West Virginia Woman2:30
Darby's Castle2:30

Images

ladda ner album Bobby Bare - How The Story Ends
lataa albumi Bobby Bare - How The Story Ends
descargar álbum Bobby Bare - How The Story Ends
Album herunterladen Bobby Bare - How The Story Ends
télécharger l'album Bobby Bare - How The Story Ends

Catalog Numbers

PR 5610

Labels

Phonorama

Listen online

  • lyssna på nätet
  • lytte på nettet
  • online anhören
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • écouter en ligne
  • ascolta in linea
  • online luisteren
  • ouvir online
  • escuchar en línea

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Compilation

Companies

RoleCompany
Distributed ByIndigo Music

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? Bobby Bare's 1982 album *How The Story Ends* has a track called "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends." It’s a clever twist, since the album itself is named after that song. The album blends country vibes with storytelling, featuring tunes like "West Virginia Woman" and "Come Sundown." Released in the US and Canada on Phonorama, it’s a hidden gem for fans of '80s country music.