07/30/2007
Mix Disc Monday Home / Music Home / Bullz-Eye Home
Rock and roll and substance abuse go hand-in-hand. So
many of our favorite musical idols have fallen prey to
drugs and drinking, either to come out the other side
or just plain dead. So be it. You made your money, you
hurt yourself. Good job. For those so inclined to live
it up in whatever grade of decadence you choose in your
own rock and roll lifestyle, here is a nice little mix
of songs with drinking as the central theme. Sometimes
it’s fun! Sometimes it’s sad. But in all these cases,
it makes for a great subject to sing about. There are
some obvious choices here, and hopefully a few maybe you’ve
never heard. So bottoms up. Don’t go ‘round thirsty, now.
"Say it Ain’t So," Weezer (Weezer)
Let’s kick off this collection with the
saddest song in the batch. A warning shot to those
who may fall privy to alcoholism, such as Rivers
Cuomo’s dad. Maybe once people realize that alcoholism
isn’t a real "disease" then everyone can get on
with their shit. Just don’t be a lush, kids. It’s
that simple.
"Let’s Go Get Stoned," Ray Charles (Anthology)
"Stoned" in this sense means "drunk." Here,
Ray lays down one of his smoothest grooves ever
and invites you to come over for a drink or two
at his pad. In perfect Ray fashion, it’s got that
whole gospel-like quality to it that only makes
the song even more unbeatable. "When you work
so hard all day long / And everything you do seems
to go wrong / Just drop by my place on your way
home / Let’s go get stoned." Awww yeah.
"Alcohol," Barenaked Ladies (Stunt)
I went through my own phase with this band,
but this song remains a favorite of mine, even
though I can’t really stand to listen to anything
else of theirs anymore. A true anthem about embracing
the emptiness and frivolity of booze and not giving
a shit, even though deep down you really do. Would’ve
been a much better single than that annoying "One
Week."
"Drinkin’ Wine-Spo-Dee-O-Dee," Larry Dale
(Atlantic single, 1961)
This is a hot little number that my mom
said she used to groove to at the local malt shop
or whatever the hell they had back then. Maybe she
was referring to Sticks McGhees’ version, though,
as she would’ve been older than the malt shop crowd
at the time Larry’s side was issued. Anyway, the
best advice I ever heard came from this song: "You
buy blackberry, you’re doin’ things smart." Jerry
Lee Lewis also recorded this song, and his version
sucks in comparison.
"What’s the Use of Getting Sober (When
You’re Gonna Get Drunk Again?)," Joe Jackson
(Jumpin’ Jive)
Joe covers the Louis Jordan classic on this
excellent album with much depravity. Young drinkers
just getting into their tastes will undoubtedly appreciate
this tune, especially when they’ve discovered the
thrills of vicarious and sloppy drunkenness.
"The Sober Life," Heap (On the Cheap)
Heap sings an impassioned ode to not being
very good at not being drunk. Hey, we’ve all been
there at one time or another. Why sober up when
you can feel like you’re riding on that cathartic
boozy cloud? Oh yeah, the liver problems, the job,
the girlfriend, and all that other stuff.
"Beer Money," Young Fresh Fellows (The
Men Who Loved Music)
The Fellows sing gleefully about being sponsored
by a beer company and making all sorts of beer
money. Scott McCaughey adds, "I’d even drink Pepsi
if you paid me enough!" Good times, good times.
After all they’re just, "an American band whose
playin’ some rock and roll!"
"Drivin’ Nails in My Coffin," New Duncan
Imperials (The Hymns of Bucksnort)
Pigtail Dick lays it down loud and clear
about getting one step closer to death every time
he tips a bottle of booze. Yet he does it in such
a fun way, with Goodtime supplying percussion with
pretzel sticks on a plastic cup, and a vocal solo
break that sounds like pure alcoholic goodness.
Dig it.
"Plenty of Lovin’," The Nazz (Nazz
III)
The Nazz’s third album is a mixed lot, but
this stumbling drunk tune concerning a lothario and
his abilities to love…after he has just one more
drink…is plenty of fun. Todd Rundgren’s blistering
blues solo in the break with Stewkey shouting his
approval is well worth hearing. It’s corny as hell,
but classic Nazz through and through.
"Too Drunk to Ball," Sweet Pie (Pleasure
Pudding)
Man, Sweet Pie was one scary dude. He apparently
only recorded this one live album, doing his thing
on the piano. He was a bearded freak who wore a
loincloth. This is another one of those self-explanatory
songs, but it gets better when you picture Sweet
Pie in his cloth making a stain on the piano bench
and performing it in front of the receptive crowd.
By all means, find the image of the album cover
online and just soak that in alone.
"Drink and Rock," The Unband (Retarder)
The Unband should’ve been bigger than big.
With song like "Pink Slip," "Geez Louise," and
this one, they should have conquered all. If you
want a trashy tune about sleazy drinking mixed
with rock and roll scum, then this is the track
for you. The Unband tried to live that decadent
larger-than-life rockstar thing. Whether or not
they succeeded on that level is anyone’s guess.
Bring us more, please.
"Gin and Juice," Snoop Doggy Dogg (Doggystyle)
I’m givin’ it props just because it features
the sound of a guy pissing at the beginning. Now that’s entertainment,
kids. Of course, this was also a mega-hit, introducing
clean suburban kids to the whole idea of keepin’
their mind on their money and their money on their
mind while getting trashed and screwing many chicks
in the span of an evening. Sheeeeit.
"Underneath the Bottle," Lou Reed (The
Blue Mask)
My man Lou was going through his getting
off the booze phase when he recorded this. In true
Lou fashion, it’s not a plea for sympathy, but just
how it is, man. And how can you go wrong when he
sings, "Ooh ooh whee / Son of a B!" Yes, he literally
sings that just to make the rhyme. Lou, I love
ya just because you were never afraid to do dumb
shit like that.
"Alcoholiday," Teenage Fanclub (Bandwagonesque)
The Fanclub make everything sound serene
and fun, even if it’s not. Here, they take that
Big Star influence and drain it once again and
make you swoon all over and want to go on an alcoholiday
with them. Get onboard the booze cruise.
"Anonymous Alcoholic," 10cc (Bloody
Tourists)
Let’s close this mix with this little number that
will allow you to leave the premises unknown. ‘Cause
you know, sometimes when the drinking gets going
strong and on and on, you need to do it in the
shadows. You need to be discreet. You need some
10cc. And what you need, you’ve got. Amen.