The Beer Song: A Drinking Anthem

Country music and drinking songs go hand in hand, and one of the most popular beverages to sing about is beer. From the sad to the celebratory, the genre has plenty of songs about drinking beer, and we've rounded up some of the best.

Drinking songs and country music

One of the most well-known drinking songs in country music is "Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks. This iconic song has been a staple in rowdy honky-tonks and karaoke bars for over three decades. With its catchy lyrics and upbeat tune, it's no wonder that it's a favourite among country music fans.

Another classic drinking song is "Whiskey River" by Willie Nelson. This song is all about surrendering to your sorrows and floating down a metaphorical river of whiskey. It's the perfect anthem for those who need a little liquid courage to get through tough times.

Luke Combs, a relatively newer artist in the country music scene, has also made his mark on the drinking song genre with his hit "Beer Never Broke My Heart". This song, co-written with Randy Montana and Jonathan Singleton, became a fan favourite and a true summertime smash in 2019.

For a more light-hearted and comical take on drinking, there's "Beer Money" by Kip Moore. This song celebrates the joys of having just enough money for a night of drinking and dancing, hoping to "get lucky and stay out of jail".

On the other hand, "Beer Drinking" by Ray Scott takes a more adventurous approach, listing all the places he wants to drink beer, from a lake to a go-kart race and even while plowing corn!

Country music's relationship with drinking songs runs deep, and these are just a few examples of the many tunes that celebrate the joys, sorrows, and adventures that come with raising a glass.

Drinking beer to celebrate good times

Drinking beer is a time-honoured tradition in many cultures, and it is often associated with celebration and joy. In country music, in particular, drinking beer is a common theme, with artists singing about the good times, the bad times, and everything in between, all while enjoying a cold one. So, when it comes to celebrating good times with a beer in hand, here are some thoughts and songs to keep the party going:

The Joy of Drinking Beer

Drinking beer is often about more than just the beverage itself. It's a social lubricant, a way to unwind after a long day, and a symbol of celebration. In country music, artists have long celebrated the simple pleasure of kicking back with a cold one. One of the most iconic songs about the joy of drinking beer is "I Like Beer" by Tom T. Hall. With lyrics like "I like beer / It makes me a jolly good fellow / I like beer / It helps me unwind," Hall's song is a straightforward and light-hearted tribute to the beverage. It's all about how beer can make you feel good, help you relax, and even bring people together.

Beer as a Companion Through Life's Ups and Downs

While beer is often associated with happy occasions, it can also provide comfort during difficult times. Luke Bryan's "Drink a Beer" is a poignant example of this. The song is about coping with the unexpected loss of someone close. In the song, Bryan sings about honouring the memory of a loved one by watching the sunset and drinking a beer, which they used to do together. It's a raw and emotional take on how beer can be a source of solace and a way to feel connected to someone who's no longer there.

Beer as a Unifier

Beer has a way of bringing people together, and this is especially true in country music. Songs like "Beer Money" by Kip Moore and "Beer Thirty" by Brooks & Dunn celebrate the camaraderie of sharing a beer with friends and loved ones. In "Beer Money," Moore sings about the grind of the workweek and how it feels good to finally unwind with a beer in hand, hopefully with a little luck and some fun. "Beer Thirty," on the other hand, is all about how the clock striking a certain hour is a signal to kick back and enjoy a beer, no matter what you're doing. It's a light-hearted take on how beer can make any moment more enjoyable.

Beer and Country Life

For many country artists and fans, drinking beer is intertwined with a love of country life. Songs like "Drinking Beer" by Ray Scott celebrate this connection. In the song, Scott sings about drinking beer while doing various country activities, from plowing corn to kicking back on a lake. It's all about how beer enhances the simple pleasures of country living and how it just feels right to have a beer in hand while enjoying the great outdoors.

Beer and Good Times

Of course, drinking beer is often associated with having a good time, and country music is full of songs that capture this spirit. "Beer Never Broke My Heart" by Luke Combs is a perfect example. In the song, Combs lists all the ways he's been let down by people and things, but ultimately concludes that ice-cold beer has never broken his heart. It's a fun and relatable take on how beer can be a constant source of joy, even when other things in life let you down.

So, the next time you're celebrating good times with a beer in hand, remember that you're taking part in a long and storied tradition. Whether it's unwinding after a long day, toasting to happy occasions, or simply enjoying a cold one on a warm day, drinking beer is a timeless way to celebrate life's joys. So, grab a cold one, turn up the country tunes, and cheers to the good times!

Drinking beer to drown sorrows

Drinking to forget your sorrows is a common theme in pop culture, with many songs and even movies glorifying this act. However, it is important to note that alcohol is a depressant and can have dangerous side effects, especially for those suffering from depression or other mental health issues. Nearly one-third of people suffering from depression have a fixed dependency on alcohol. While drinking may provide temporary relief and help bring down stress levels, it can be harmful to the liver and brain and may increase the risk of depression and other serious side effects.

If you are going to drink to drown your sorrows, it is important to do so responsibly and in moderation. Here are some drinks that people commonly turn to when they want to forget their troubles:

Beer is a popular choice for many, with its carbonated crispness offering a refreshing escape from reality. Country music, in particular, has a special relationship with beer, and there are numerous songs dedicated to this golden beverage, such as "Beer Never Broke My Heart" by Luke Combs and "Beer for My Horses" by Toby Keith featuring Willie Nelson. Beer is also often associated with social gatherings and can provide a sense of camaraderie, as seen in the song "Beer Thirty" by Brooks & Dunn.

Wine is another go-to drink for those looking to unwind and relax. However, some consider it a sad drink to consume alone, as it may emphasize feelings of loneliness.

Hard liquor, such as whiskey, vodka, and tequila, is also commonly used to drown sorrows. These drinks tend to have a higher alcohol content and can induce a faster sense of escapism. Crown Royal, for example, is touted as a "cure for sadness" by some, offering a sense of elegance even when consumed alone.

Cocktails, like margaritas and old-fashioneds, can also be a popular choice, depending on the occasion and personal preference.

While drinking to forget your troubles may provide temporary relief, it is important to address the underlying issues and seek healthier coping mechanisms. If you are struggling, it is crucial to seek help from a professional or support group.

Beer as a vehicle for a deeper message

Country music has long been associated with drinking songs, and beer is a particularly common theme. While some may view this as a negative stereotype, for many fans, it's part of what makes the genre so relatable. Beer songs can be uplifting party anthems or sad laments about lost love. But often, they are about so much more than just drinking.

Take Luke Bryan's "Drink a Beer," for example. On the surface, it's a song about drinking a beer while watching the sunset on a pier. But the song is actually about processing the unexpected loss of a loved one and the "very raw, real emotion" that follows. Similarly, Thomas Rhett's "Beer With Jesus" is about what one might ask Jesus if they met for a drink. Rhett's questions range from the serious, such as "How'd you turn the other cheek?" to the lighthearted, like whether Heaven is "really just beyond the stars."

Other songs use beer as a symbol of reliability. In "Beer Never Broke My Heart," Luke Combs sings about how beer is the one thing in life that's never let him down, in contrast to girls, trucks, and dogs. Beer is also portrayed as a solution to life's problems in Thomas Rhett and Jon Pardi's "Beer Can't Fix," where they conclude that there's "nothing that a beer can't fix."

So, the next time you hear a country song about beer, remember that it might be about something much deeper than just drinking. Whether it's processing grief, seeking answers to life's big questions, or finding comfort in life's simple pleasures, beer can often serve as a vehicle for a much deeper message.

Beer drinking in country music history

Country music and drinking songs have gone hand in hand for decades. In fact, drinking songs are so common in country music that it could be considered a benchmark for how other things go together. While country singers do sing a lot of drinking songs, and some may see this as a negative stereotype, country fans accept and love this about the genre.

The first country song to chart highly with a reference to drinking in its title was "Here I Am Drunk Again", originally recorded by Clyde Beavers in 1960. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Country charts.

Drinking songs in country music can be comical, sad, rowdy, or cautionary tales. They can be about celebrating good times, or, as Hank Williams' "There's a Tear in My Beer" proved, artists also sing about beer in sad times.

Country music's relationship with alcohol can be traced back to the folk music of Appalachia, which is widely credited as one of the progenitors of country music. In Appalachia, moonshining was a vocation handed down from generation to generation and a source of pride and income. Moonshine was also used as a home remedy before the invention of aspirin and cough syrup.

The second social condition that probably linked drinking and country music was the honky-tonks and dive bars. Fans of country music would go to their local bar to hear their favorites on the jukebox or to see them perform live. Often, the artist would earn a percentage of liquor sales, so it's reasonable to believe that drinking was encouraged to create more revenue.

• "There's a Tear in My Beer" by Hank Williams
• "Beer Money" by Kip Moore
• "Beer Thirty" by Brooks & Dunn
• "Beer With Jesus" by Thomas Rhett
• "Beer Never Broke My Heart" by Luke Combs
• "Beer in Mexico" by Kenny Chesney
• "Drink a Beer" by Luke Bryan
• "Beer for My Horses" by Toby Keith and Willie Nelson
• "Beer Can't Fix" by Thomas Rhett and Jon Pardi
• "I Like Beer" by Tom T. Hall
• "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On" by Neal McCoy
• "Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer" by Billy Currington

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