Martin Briley – Salt In My Tears

With a line like “You Ain’t Worth The Salt In My Tears” in a song…how could you not listen? This song was released in 1983 and reached #36 on the Billboard Charts. I liked the song because it had a catchy guitar riff that stood out at the time with all the synth music going on.

This was Briley’s only charting single as a solo artist. He released 3 albums on the Mercury label in the early 1980s and was in the groups Mandrake Paddle Steamer, Liverpool Echo, Greenslade, and Ian Hunter’s band. He also worked as a session guitarist and singer for artists like Andy Williams and Meatloaf. He wrote songs for Kenny Loggins, Pat Benatar, and Celine Dion.

Martin Briley is a talented musician… below is from Wikipedia

Briley has received orchestral commissions, and has written songs for such artists as Céline Dion, *NSYNC, Dream, Michael Bolton, Mietta, Kenny Loggins, Pat Benatar, Jessica Andrews, Five Star, Jeff Healey, Rebecca St. James, Nana Mouskouri, Willie Nile, Gregg Allman, Night Ranger, David Hasselhoff, Patrick Swayze, Michael Monroe, Chastity Bono, Peter Tork, Nikki Webster, Hope Partlow, Natascha Sohl, Ballas Hough, Phil Stacey, Orianthi, The Maine and Barry Manilow.

Salt In My Tears

I never did it, no, I won’t admit it
Why should I lie for you anymore
You never loved me
You pushed and shoved me
I see the woman I never saw

I saw you laugh when the knife was twisted
It still hurts but the pain has shifted
I’m looking back at the time that drifted by
But I won’t cry for the wasted years
Cause you ain’t worth the salt in my tears

Feeling neglected, used and rejected
You need a shoulder to lean upon
Baby you picked him, found your next victim
Don’t worry, someone will come along

I broke the spell that you kept me under
I had enough of the rain and thunder
I lost track of the time and I wonder why
But I won’t cry for the wasted years
Cause you ain’t worth the salt in my tears

I’ll sit around and drink a few more beers
Until the memory just disappears
Cause you ain’t worth the salt in my tears

I saw you laugh when the knife was twisted
It still hurts but the pain has shifted
I’m looking back at the time that drifted by
But I won’t cry for the wasted years
Cause you ain’t worth the salt in my tears

Cause you ain’t worth the salt in my tears
Cause you ain’t worth the salt in my tears

Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player.

23 thoughts on “Martin Briley – Salt In My Tears”

      2. I agree…a lot of the 80s is so muddy and full of quadraverb.

        Off Topic…kind of…Jeremy… What is one of your favorite mixes…as far as an album of a well known artist? A clear mix example to me would be Born in the USA…it’s like he is in the next room…

        Liked by 1 person

      3. A good question and good post topic to boot! Difficult choice. Off hand, Mule variations by Tom waits sounds stellar. Have a listen to ‘hold on’ for a taste. Most of the 60s stuff is good by virtue of not having the tools to meddle with the natural sounds….

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I like the Stax stuff also…really good sound. I’ll check out Hold On…thanks…Man that post has you written all over it dude.
        I know more of what I don’t like…The Who’s Tommy is a mix I never liked.

        Like

      5. Yes that Stax stuff is great. Tommy is a funny one, I know what you mean. I still like it, mostly on account of the songs I guess. That brittle electric sound that townsend himself didn’t like, I actually do. Quadrophenia sounds much better.

        Liked by 1 person

      6. It’s so thin…Moon sound like he is playing on tin cans. I love the album…don’t’ get me wrong…just the mix

        Like

  2. Loved this song- I think I only saw it played on MTV- don’t recall ever hearing it on the radio. I can only name on Martin Briley song- this is it! Thumbs up!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  3. I don’t think I ever heard that back in the day, though it seems familiar – did you write about him once before? An ok song… wouldn’t say it’s great but not bad. Compares favorably to say Billy Squier who was so hot back then.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes I did Dave…I’ve had the worse sinus infection this week…the last two days have been repeats…though yesterdays only like 2 people saw the first time…I’m a little better today.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. That’s good! Sinus infections are nasty… used to get them a fair bit when I worked in a photo lab…some of the chemicals are quite toxic and notall the places were well-ventilated. Take care , hope you’re all better soon

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Yea I have to admit it is. Nothing against the guy but writing for Patrick Swayze couldn’t have been on top of anyone’s lists to work with musically.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment