Drink up, y'all!

December 30, 2011 8:24 PM

New Year's Eve is fast approaching, and for lots of folks that means... drinking. Plenty of drinking. And since there's no shortage of singers and songwriters who've had a little something to say about that particular topic, maybe some of the following tunes can serve as an appropriate soundtrack to your own joyous (or not?) imbibing of spirits. For example, there's... Jimmy Liggins with his succinct rendition of Drunk, and there's...

Now folks, scattered throughout this post, among the well-known names in American music, you'll find a number of relatively obscure artists, and I hope you'll check out those links, especially. I've chosen them because they each have something well worth your time and attention! So, let's drink up!

The Clovers: One Mint Julep
Jerry Lee Lewis: What's Made Milwaukee Famous
Merle Haggard: Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down
Gil Scott-Heron: The Bottle
Amos Milburn: One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer
Floyd Dixon: Hey Bartender
The Five Owls: I Like Moonshine
Faron Young: Wine Me Up
Jackie Brenston: Juiced
George Jones & Willie Nelson: I Gotta Get Drunk
Peppermint Harris: I Got Loaded
Ernest Tubb: Pass the Booze
Skip James: Drunken Spree
Loretta Lynn: Don't Come Home A-Drinkin'
Louis Jordan: What's The Use Of Getting Sober
Muddy Waters: Sittin' Here and Drinkin' (Whiskey Blues)
Tommy James and the Shondells: Sweet Cherry Wine
Tom T. Hall: I Like Beer
Roger Miller: Chug-a-lug
Jim Reeves: Drinking Tequila
The Big Bopper: White Lightning
Hank Thompson: On Tap, In the Can, or In the Bottle
Bumble Bee Slim: Sloppy Drunk Blues
Dick Curless: Loser's Cocktail
Robert Diggs: Drink, Drink, Drink
George Jones: If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will)
Sam Chatmon: Let's Get Drunk Again
Dinah Washington: Drinking Again
Webb Pierce: There Stands the Glass
and, Webb Pierce again, with a live, drunken version of: There Stands the Glass

And finally, since we started this whole drinkin' thing with Jimmy Liggins and his wonderful rendition of "Drunk", let's wrap it up with Jimmy again, who this time insists: I Ain't Drunk

Happy New Year everyone!

posted by flapjax at midnite (66 comments total)

I'm glad you included Tom T. Hall. I first heard that song in a tavern jukebox in Cannon Beach, Oregon, when I was visiting a college friend over the summer long ago.

I like beer! It makes me a jolly good fellow!
I like beer. It helps me unwind, and sometimes it makes me feel mellow! (Makes me feel mellow!)
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:31 PM on December 30, 2011

Nice list. I'd add I'm Tore Up by Billy Gayles.
posted by stachemaster at 8:32 PM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

Leave it to ol' flapjax for coming up with another cool music post, and unique list! Way cool.
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 8:34 PM on December 30, 2011

I'd add I'm Tore Up by Billy Gayles.

I'd be very, very happy about that addition.

As always, delighted to have folks add to the merriment! Love that Billy Gayles track.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:36 PM on December 30, 2011

They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:37 PM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

Added for your consideration: Darrell Scott - It's The Whiskey That Eases The Pain
posted by subbes at 8:39 PM on December 30, 2011

I'll add: Doctor Millar, Alcohol Problem

"D-R-I-N-K-I-N-G"
posted by candyland at 8:41 PM on December 30, 2011

Every year for the last three years, I've spent my NYE with the Flaming Lips.
I'm going to the show tomorrow, but the difference is that this year, they're performing with the Plastic Ono Band.
She's bringing Sean, so I think it will all turn out okay. I think. Quite honestly, I'm a little scared.
posted by Dr. Zira at 8:41 PM on December 30, 2011

Oh, and in case anyone's wondering why Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee didn't make it into this post, it's cause that would've made it a double, again.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:42 PM on December 30, 2011

I've always loved the Kingston Trio's Bob Shane on "Scotch and Soda".
posted by worldswalker at 8:43 PM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

The Skeletons: Waiting For My Gin To Hit Me
posted by sourwookie at 8:46 PM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

Hang on, how did Tom Waits escape this list: The Piano has Been Drinking.
posted by Dr. Zira at 8:47 PM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

Warren Zevon "Desperado's Under the Eaves"....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0J3ossUzhU
posted by PJLandis at 8:58 PM on December 30, 2011

Gogol Bordello: Alcohol
posted by sarah_pdx at 8:59 PM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

posted by PJLandis at 8:59 PM on December 30, 2011

George Roark - I Ain't A Bit Drunk
posted by cmonkey at 8:59 PM on December 30, 2011

Robert Earl King - Corpus Christi Bay
Hem - When I was Drinking
posted by zabuni at 9:00 PM on December 30, 2011

Jerry Jeff Walker - Sangria Wine
posted by zabuni at 9:03 PM on December 30, 2011

...and a little something for the morning after: When The Hangover Strikes by Squeeze.
posted by mintcake! at 9:07 PM on December 30, 2011

(because regret is international.)
posted by mintcake! at 9:08 PM on December 30, 2011

Damn it all Youtube, where's "Mommie's Drunk" by Maow? (Amazon clip, sorry.)

They deliver with Carolyn Mark, though. Wine, two, three, pour!
posted by pernoctalian at 9:18 PM on December 30, 2011

Oscar Brown Jr.: Somebody Buy Me A Drink
Sharon Jones with Alvin "Youngblood" Hart and Teenie Hodges: That's What My Baby Likes
posted by Shotgun Shakespeare at 9:18 PM on December 30, 2011

Uncle Tupelo - I Got Drunk
Uncle Tupelo - Whiskey Bottle
The Handsome Family - A Beautiful Thing
The Handsome Family - So Much Wine
The Handsome Family - Drunk By Noon
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:23 PM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

I'm not drinking, I'm driving around to the pseudo-in-laws like a fucking spazmoloid, to get jumped on by their enormous dog until we all get tired around nine, at which point I leave and we get every red light on the way home.
posted by tumid dahlia at 9:39 PM on December 30, 2011

I'm not drinking, I'm driving around to the pseudo-in-laws like a fucking spazmoloid, to get jumped on by their enormous dog until we all get tired around nine, at which point I leave and we get every red light on the way home.

Oh well. You can listen to these songs anyway, though!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:43 PM on December 30, 2011

The Kinks - Alcohol
posted by Rangeboy at 9:46 PM on December 30, 2011

Hang on, how did Tom Waits escape this list: The Piano has Been Drinking .

Darn! I actually meant to, but it fell through the cracks, somehow, honestly! But I was gonna link to a live version that's on YouTube, so here it is!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:49 PM on December 30, 2011

If God wanted us sober, he'd knock the glass over
posted by mannequito at 10:13 PM on December 30, 2011

Firewater - Knock 'em Down
Murder City Devils - Rum to Whiskey
The Devil Makes Three - Old Number Seven
Against Me! - You Look Like I Need A Drink
The Jesus Lizard - Boilermaker
The Builders and the Butchers - Bringin' Home the Rain
Murder by Death - As Long As There is Whiskey in the World
Transplants - Tall Cans in the Air
posted by churl at 10:21 PM on December 30, 2011

Alkaline Trio - Cooking Wine
Less Than Jake - Sobriety Is A Serious Business, And Business Ain't So Good
posted by Ghidorah at 10:41 PM on December 30, 2011

Drink! (feck! arse! girls!)
posted by nzero at 10:42 PM on December 30, 2011

You can listen to these songs anyway, though!

I am and they're making me well thirsty.
posted by tumid dahlia at 10:51 PM on December 30, 2011

Slobberbone, Haze of Drink

This song isn't just about drinkin'. It's about DRANKIN'.

What, no Pogues yet? I am disappoint.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:00 PM on December 30, 2011

The Pogues
-Streams of Whiskey
-Whiskey You're the Devil
posted by dr. moot at 11:31 PM on December 30, 2011

The Pleasure Seekers:
"What a way to die"

Great post Flapjax
posted by quazichimp at 11:43 PM on December 30, 2011

I am serving as (semi) sober adult supervisor of my husband's birthday festivities tonight, and was just put in charge of music. This post is perfect!
posted by superna at 12:05 AM on December 31, 2011

The Pogues
-Streams of Whiskey

I got knocked over once by Shane McGowan -- got between him and the bar.

A different sort of drinking song ...
posted by philip-random at 12:29 AM on December 31, 2011

For the morning after, don't forget to cue up Johnny Bond's Sick, Sober and Sorry with your trembling hands and bleary eyes.

Ah, the champagne hangover. Thankfully only once a year.
posted by Chichibio at 12:34 AM on December 31, 2011

One bourbon, one scotch, one beer.
-George Thorogood
posted by artdrectr at 12:41 AM on December 31, 2011

Einstuerzende Neubauten hail from Germany with their "Drinking Song":

Trinklied
posted by Hairy Lobster at 12:44 AM on December 31, 2011

In 1998 Bran Van 3000 were wondering why they were Drinking In LA
posted by Hairy Lobster at 12:47 AM on December 31, 2011

I forgot how much Johnny Bond based his schtick on booze!

Firewater
Hand Me Down My Mountain Dew
The Morning After
You Sure Get Mean
Put Me To Bed
Ten Little Bottles
posted by Chichibio at 12:49 AM on December 31, 2011

And who could forget:

Etta James: One For My Baby (And One For The Road)
posted by Hairy Lobster at 12:58 AM on December 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

UB40: Red Red Wine
posted by Mister Bijou at 1:32 AM on December 31, 2011

LMFAO: Shots
posted by DisreputableDog at 2:44 AM on December 31, 2011

Awesome, thanks.

In a more modern/punky vein, Too Drunk to Fuck by Dead Kennedys or the smoother lounge cover by Nouvelle Vague

And, lest we forget, Metafilter's own Miko's sublime Women Drinking Whiskey which has been on permanent rotation in my music collection since I first heard it here.

I think I have a whisky drinking music list somewhere. It's mostly Magnetic Fields.
posted by slimepuppy at 3:33 AM on December 31, 2011

Don't start me on the rum, cause it makes me numb.
posted by MartinWisse at 3:56 AM on December 31, 2011

Bottle of Wine The Fireballs
posted by tomswift at 3:58 AM on December 31, 2011

Me? I drink Alone
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:44 AM on December 31, 2011

"You got to make up your mind between me and your cherry wine..."

"I like my men like I like my whiskey: aged and mellow"

Little Esther rules.
posted by mediareport at 5:35 AM on December 31, 2011

And there's this....
posted by wheelieman at 5:39 AM on December 31, 2011

David Bromberg and his Big Band ( ft. The AARP Horns ) with Sloppy Drunk ( not the
posted by mikelieman at 5:49 AM on December 31, 2011

And I never knew I had a cousin named "Whee" out there! Howdy Cuz!
posted by mikelieman at 5:51 AM on December 31, 2011

What, no Buttholes?
posted by Decani at 5:54 AM on December 31, 2011

I Drink Alone, too.
posted by Decani at 5:56 AM on December 31, 2011

sorry but someone has to do it: the millionaires!
posted by lester at 6:44 AM on December 31, 2011

Mary Gauthier - I Drink is a great song.
posted by cccorlew at 8:33 AM on December 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

Leon Russell (covering Hank Thompson): A Six-Pack to Go
posted by Bron at 9:08 AM on December 31, 2011

...and can we include some cocaine, from a friend?
Randy Newman - Gulity
posted by Bron at 9:21 AM on December 31, 2011

...and can we include some cocaine, from a friend?

Well... since he got some whisky from the barman first, I guess it's alright, then.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:40 AM on December 31, 2011

Bessie Smith,' Gimmie A Pigfoot An A Beer':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhfPP-YUEMQ&feature=youtube_
_player



'The Parting Glass'



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1se8_-fcxZs&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Himzo Polovina - vino piju Age Sarajlije



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tPSvEQ-EtU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

A nice international selection of tributes to alcohol

This is a very good post!

Thanks
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 12:48 PM on December 31, 2011

What, no Buttholes?

Ironically, I came home last night thinking of adding that song into the thread, but I was fairly drunk myself at that point and got distracted reheating pizza in the kitchen. True story.
posted by mannequito at 1:31 PM on December 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

oh but we are missing some Snoop up in herrrrrr
posted by mannequito at 1:33 PM on December 31, 2011

Adding Red Solo Cup into the mix.
posted by nickyskye at 1:40 PM on December 31, 2011

few know Jimmy Buffet's best song about drinking had nothing to do with Tequilla
posted by Redhush at 6:24 PM on December 31, 2011

A little something from a guy who passes out tequila shots at his concerts: Liquor, Beer and Wine from Reverend Horton Heat.
posted by hackwolf at 9:53 PM on December 31, 2011