Evolution of the Country Drinking Song: From Honky Tonk to Modern Party Anthems

In a 2018 study of the top charting songs released in the previous four years, a whopping 40% of country tracks mentioned alcohol. That was far more than any other genre, including R&B, hip-hop, and rock.

But country stars singing about booze is nothing new. Jimmie Rodgers, one of America's first country artists, sang “I'm goin' where the water drinks like cherry wine” in 1928's “Blue Yodel No. 1,” and there may be even earlier examples before musicians recorded their songs. Let's explore the history of country music drinking songs, from classic tracks about drowning sorrows to today's celebration anthems.

Country music came out of the Appalachian moonshine culture in the early 1900s, so its strong connection to alcohol is little surprise. While there were earlier country drinking songs, this type of music picked up steam in the honky tonk era following World War II.

Hank Williams was a leading figure who established the blueprint for country drinking songs with tracks such as “Tear in My Beer” and “Lost Highway,” which saw him confirm that “Just a deck of cards and a jug of wine and a woman's lies make a life like mine.” Hank wrote from experience, taking his first drink at just 11 and losing his battle with drug and alcohol addiction at 29.

Despite Hank Williams' short life, his wild persona inspired a generation of musicians who wrote somber songs about using alcohol to cope with the hardships of post-war life. There was “Two Glasses, Joe” by Ernest Tubb, "There Stands the Glass” by Webb Pierce, and “Eat, Drink and Be Merry (Tomorrow You'll Cry)” by Porter Wagoner, to name but a few. Music lovers hailed George Jones as Hank's natural successor thanks to songs including “White Lightnin,” a rare humorous drinking song about the impact of moonshine. It reportedly required 83 takes as the drinking singer became steadily more intoxicated through the session.

Since the 1980s, country drinking songs have become less dour and more upbeat, with the image of the lonely singer drowning his sorrows replaced by one of a fun-loving artist surrounded by friends or a potential love interest. The ‘80s gave us “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” by Hank Williams, Jr., “Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye” by The Charlie Daniels Band, and “Jose Cuervo” by Shelly West. The ‘90s brought “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks, “Boot Scootin' Boogie” by Brooks & Dunn, and “Beer and Bones” by John Michael Montgomery. And the hits kept coming.

The shift in country drinking songs reflects society's changing attitudes toward alcohol. After World War II, many considered drinking a shameful secret, especially women. By the 1980s, however, Americans had become more relaxed. While heavy drinking was still frowned upon, adults began keeping wine and beer at home. As Generation X grew up, drinking became more prevalent, with after-work beers and wine with dinner much more common. While millennials and Gen-Zers drink less than the previous generation, they're more likely to let loose and overindulge.

This evolution may also reflect the behaviors of young people who have embraced the genre. A 2016 study commissioned by the Country Music Association found that country music fans aged 18 to 24 increased by 54% since 2005. These young fans are in the prime of their life and unlikely to have significant responsibilities yet, so they're more likely to connect with party anthems than world-weary tracks.

The country charts are full of party anthems. They began appearing with the rise of bro-country, a male-dominated blend of country and other genres such as pop, rock, and hip-hop, in the 2010s, and they show no signs of falling out of favor. Luke Bryan, who hit the top of the charts with his album of drinking songs Spring Break … Here to Party, and Blake Shelton, who's released songs such as “Buzzin,” “Sangria,” and “All About Tonight” led the way. New bro-country artists include Morgan Wallen, who released “You Proof,” and HARDY, who wrote “Beer With My Buddies.”

Recently, artists from other genres have ventured into country music. The influence of these crossover artists has also impacted the sound of country drinking songs. In 2022, Morgan Wallen teamed up with hip-hop artist Lil Durk for “Broadway Girls.” The song, which describes a flirtation with a girl at a Broadway bar, topped Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop and Hot Rap charts that year. Two years later, rapper Shaboozey's “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” became the first single in history to reach the top 10 of Billboard's Country, Pop, Adult Pop, and Rhythmic Airplay charts.

As country music expands through crossover acts, its drinking songs are finding a wider audience and new demographics of fans. This evolution and expansion may lead to more innovative sounds, fresh collaborations, and further diversity.

Only time will tell what the future of drinking songs holds. As increasing numbers of young people become sober curious, artists such as Shay Mooney and Tyler Childers speak candidly about life without alcohol, and even artists, including Blake Shelton, talk about putting down the bottle. We may see artists releasing less country music featuring alcohol themes. Perhaps we'll even see a return to drinking songs about regret. 

However, if industry trends are anything to go by, we may see even more relaxed drinking songs on the charts, as we've seen in every generation since the honky-tonk era.

Drinking songs have always been a staple of the country music genre, although the representations of alcohol consumption have shifted over the years to reflect changing cultural attitudes. As country singers write about their own experiences, the genre has adapted to express modern sentiments while maintaining its core themes and connection to generations of fans. As the genre evolves, people who love country music will look forward to hearing how the next wave of drinking songs will compare to those of the past and present.