St. Patty’s Day is just around the corner – here’s your Classic Rock playlist of the Top 10 Drinking Songs to get your party started!
10 The Champs – “Tequila” (1958)
Although the word “Tequila” is shouted only three times throughout the whole song, this instrumental didn’t need any more lyrics due to its two-chord riff and incredible sax work. Covered multiple times by numerous artists of all genres, this #1 song has gone on to become an enduring favorite at sports events and college parties. If you want to become a super fan, check out the sequel song “Too Much Tequila.”
September ’77
Port Elizabeth weather fine
It was business as usual
In police room 619
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
9 UB40 – “Red Red Wine” (1983)
Originally from Neil Diamond, UB40 took this classic, gave it a reggae spin, and rode its success to #1 when they re-released it in 1988. Brownie points for pulling out the original Diamond version.
Red red wine you make me feel so fine
You keep me rocking all of the time
Red red wine you make me feel so grand
I feel a million dollars when you’re just in my hand
8 Metallica – “Whiskey In The Jar” (1998)
Well known as a traditional Irish song since the 1950s, most in the U.S. probably think the song originated with Thin Lizzy, who recorded a version in 1972. Metallica took that version, amped it up, and did such a good job that they took home a Grammy for it in 2000. A shot on us if you already know this chorus written in gibberish.
Musha rain dum a doo, dum a da
Whack for my daddy, oh
Whack for my daddy, oh
There’s whiskey in the jar, oh
Being drunk and weary
I went to Molly’s chamber
Takin’ Molly with me
But I never knew the danger
7 George Thorogood and The Destroyers – “I Drink Alone” (1985)
George sings about his buddies Wiser, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Johnnie Walker (Black and Red Labels) and Old Grand-Dad in this dive bar classic. Hopefully, you’ve got some company while listening to this one.
I drink alone, yeah
With nobody else
I drink alone, yeah
With nobody else
You know when I drink alone
I prefer to be by myself
6 War – “Spill The Wine” (1970)
Inspired by an accident where War’s keyboardist Lonnie Jordan spilled wine on a mixing board, this song became War’s first hit. In the original long version, listen for a woman speaking Spanish (Eric Burdon’s friend) in the background.
Take the wine, take that pearl
Spill the wine, take that pearl
Spill the wine, take that pearl, uh-huh, uh-huh
Spill the wine, take that pearl
Take that pearl, yeah
5 Guns N’ Roses – “Night Train” (1987)
Slash’s favorite live song is a tribute to GNR’s old favorite brand of wine, Night Train Express. They guzzled this hooch while living around the Sunset Strip, because it was cheap and high in alcohol content.
I’m on the nightrain
Bottoms up
I’m on the nightrain
Fill my cup
I’m on the nightrain
Ready to crash and burn
4 ZZ Top – “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers” (1973)
Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill trade lead vocals on this barn burner, all while keeping their beards free from froth. Stay away from the bar brawl when this one comes on. Extra points for checking out Motörhead’s take on this classic.
If you see me walkin’ down the line
with my fav’rite honky tonk in mind,
well, I’ll be here around suppertime
with my can of dinner and a bunch of fine.
Beer drinkers and hell raisers, yeah.
Uh-huh-huh, baby, don’t you wanna come with me?
3 Jimmy Buffett – “Margaritaville” (1977)
Google “Margaritaville” and the franchise has become such a big deal that the song doesn’t even come up until the bottom of page 2. Does this one need an explanation? Flip flops, toes in the sand, sunburn…what’s not to love?
Wasted away again in Margaritaville,
Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt.
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame,
But I know it’s nobody’s fault.
2 George Thorogood and The Destroyers “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” (1977)
Yes, we know it’s George’s second appearance on this list…but how could we leave this one off? Originally recorded as a blues song titled “One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer” in 1953, the song became more well-known when John Lee Hooker switched up the title and made a darker, scruffier version in 1966. Thorogood took that one and combined it with another Hooker song, “House Rent Boogie,” for his iconic version.
One bourbon, one scotch, one beer
Well I ain’t seen my baby since I don’t know when,
I’ve been drinking bourbon, whiskey, scotch and gin
Gonna get high man I’m gonna get loose,
Need me a triple shot of that juice
Gonna get drunk don’t you have no fear
I want one bourbon, one scotch and one beer
One bourbon, one scotch, one beer
1 AC/DC – “Have A Drink On Me” (1980)
Never a single or a video, “Have A Drink On Me” comes from the 50x platinum, second highest selling album in history, Back In Black. It’s all about buying your drinking buddy another round – how great is that? Enjoy the riffs, struts and pure AC/DC magic.
Whiskey, gin and brandy
With a glass I’m pretty handy
I’m trying to walk a straight line
On sour mash and cheap wine
So join me for a drink boys
We’re gonna make a big noise
Did we miss any great drinking songs? Leave a comment below!
