There’s something uniquely comforting about music and a drink in hand when life throws its inevitable curveballs. As someone who often finds solace at the bottom of a glass during tough times, I’ve come to appreciate the cathartic power of songs that echo my sentiments. Whether it’s the end of a relationship, a tough day at work, or just the weight of the world pressing down, these melodies and lyrics resonate deeply, offering a temporary escape and a sense of camaraderie.
In this playlist, I’ve compiled a list of 20 songs that perfectly capture the essence of drinking to forget, each one a reminder that we’re not alone in seeking a little liquid relief from life’s challenges.
Contents
- 1. “The Bottle” by Gil Scott-Heron
- 2. “Bartender” by Lady A
- 3. “Me, Myself, and I” by John Prine
- 4. “Drunk” by Ed Sheeran
- 5. “I’m Drunk Again” by Hank Williams III
- 6. “Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)” by Margo Price
- 7. “Drink You Away” by Justin Timberlake
- 8. “On Tap, In the Can or In the Bottle” by Hank Thompson
- 9. “Whiskey Lullaby” by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss
- 10. “Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
- 11. “80 Proof Bottle of Tear Stopper” by George Strait
- 12. “Once” by Rascal Flatts
- 13. “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” by Merle Haggard
- 14. “Happiness” by Three Days Grace
- 15. “One For My Baby (And One More For the Road)” by Frank Sinatra
- 16. “Two More Bottles of Wine” by Emmylou Harris
- 17. “Habits (Stay High)” by Tove Lo
- 18. “Drinking Again” by Dinah Washington
- 19. “Midnight Bottle” by Colbie Caillat
- 20. “The Cut Off” by J. Cole
- Submit Your Song to This Playlist
1. “The Bottle” by Gil Scott-Heron
“The Bottle” by Gil Scott-Heron, released in 1974, is a profound social commentary on the effects of alcohol abuse. The song is set against a compelling jazz-funk backdrop with a Caribbean beat, featuring a notable flute solo by Brian Jackson.
Scott-Heron wrote the song after observing the lives of alcoholics in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The lyrics tell the stories of individuals who have succumbed to alcoholism, including an ex-physician and a former air traffic controller whose lives were derailed by their addiction.
Despite its serious subject matter, the song’s infectious groove made it a popular dance track, highlighting the irony of its celebratory tone juxtaposed with its somber message.
2. “Bartender” by Lady A
“Bartender” by Lady A is a country-pop song that explores the theme of drinking to forget a failed relationship. The narrative follows a woman who decides to go out with her friends to a bar, seeking solace in alcohol to move on from her heartbreak. The bartender becomes a symbolic figure in her journey to distraction and healing, as she uses the night out to escape her emotional pain.
The song captures the liberating yet temporary relief that comes from a night of drinking and dancing, emphasizing the social aspect of using alcohol as a coping mechanism.
3. “Me, Myself, and I” by John Prine
“Me, Myself, and I” by John Prine is a reflective song that delves into the solitude and introspection that often accompany drinking alone. The lyrics portray a sense of resignation and acceptance of one’s circumstances, as the protagonist turns to alcohol as a companion in times of loneliness.
Prine’s storytelling ability shines through as he captures the bittersweet nature of self-reflection and the comfort found in one’s own company, even when it involves a bottle. The song highlights the introspective journey of confronting one’s thoughts and emotions while drinking to forget.
4. “Drunk” by Ed Sheeran
“Drunk” by Ed Sheeran is a pop song that deals with the theme of using alcohol to cope with the pain of a breakup. The lyrics express the protagonist’s desire to numb his emotions and forget his troubles by drinking.
The song captures the vulnerability and raw emotion of someone trying to escape heartache, using alcohol as a temporary solution. Sheeran’s honest and relatable lyrics, combined with a catchy melody, convey the universal experience of seeking solace in drinking when faced with emotional turmoil.
5. “I’m Drunk Again” by Hank Williams III
“I’m Drunk Again” by Hank Williams III is a poignant song about using alcohol to cope with profound personal loss. The lyrics convey a sense of despair and loneliness following the suicide of the protagonist’s wife.
The repeated refrain “I’m drunk again” underscores the cyclical nature of his grief and his reliance on alcohol to numb the pain. The song’s raw and emotional narrative reflects the struggle to move forward after a devastating loss, highlighting the use of drinking as a means of temporary escape from sorrow.
6. “Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)” by Margo Price
“Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)” by Margo Price is a country song that vividly describes the protagonist’s attempt to drown emotional pain with alcohol. The lyrics capture the relentless drinking of whiskey as a futile effort to alleviate heartache.
Price’s storytelling paints a picture of someone who is aware that their drinking is not solving their problems but continues to seek solace in the bottle. The song’s catchy melody and relatable theme of using alcohol to forget make it a standout track on her debut album, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter.
7. “Drink You Away” by Justin Timberlake
“Drink You Away” by Justin Timberlake blends elements of country, rock, and blues to explore the theme of trying to forget a past love through drinking. The lyrics make numerous references to well-known alcoholic beverages, symbolizing the protagonist’s attempt to use alcohol as a remedy for heartbreak.
Despite the upbeat tempo and genre-blending sound, the song conveys a deep sense of longing and the struggle to move on from a painful relationship. Timberlake’s performance highlights the emotional turmoil of seeking comfort in alcohol when faced with romantic loss.
8. “On Tap, In the Can or In the Bottle” by Hank Thompson
“On Tap, In the Can or In the Bottle” by Hank Thompson is a classic country song that captures the essence of drinking to forget. The lyrics express a desire to escape heartache and misery through any form of alcohol available, whether on tap, in a can, or in a bottle. The song portrays the bar as a sanctuary for the heartbroken, where the protagonist seeks refuge from the pain of lost love.
Thompson’s honky-tonk style and straightforward lyrics resonate with anyone who has turned to alcohol as a means of coping with emotional distress.
9. “Whiskey Lullaby” by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss
“Whiskey Lullaby” is a haunting ballad by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss that tells the tragic story of a couple whose lives are destroyed by heartache and guilt. The song, set against a gothic bluegrass backdrop, describes how both characters turn to alcohol to escape their emotional pain. The male character drinks himself to death, unable to forget his lost love, and the female character follows the same path, consumed by guilt over his death.
The lyrics “He put that bottle to his head and pulled the trigger” and “She put that bottle to her head and pulled the trigger” poignantly illustrate their ultimate demise. This powerful narrative, combined with Paisley’s and Krauss’s evocative vocals, makes “Whiskey Lullaby” a poignant exploration of using alcohol to forget.
10. “Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Originally written and performed by Merle Haggard, “Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down” has been covered by various artists, including Elvis Costello & The Attractions. The song captures the disappointment of realizing that alcohol, once a reliable escape from heartache, has failed to provide the solace it once did.
The protagonist laments how the bottle, which used to help him forget a lost love, has let him down by allowing memories to resurface. This classic country tune highlights the limitations of using alcohol as a means to cope with emotional pain.
11. “80 Proof Bottle of Tear Stopper” by George Strait
“80 Proof Bottle of Tear Stopper” by George Strait is a country song that uses alcohol as a metaphor for dealing with heartbreak. The title itself suggests that the protagonist is seeking relief from tears and sorrow through an 80-proof bottle of liquor. The song emphasizes the temporary and often ineffective nature of using alcohol to forget emotional pain.
Strait’s delivery and the song’s traditional country sound underscore the theme of seeking solace in the bottle, only to find that it cannot fully erase the heartache.
12. “Once” by Rascal Flatts
“Once” by Rascal Flatts is a song that deals with the lingering pain of a past relationship. Although not explicitly about drinking, the lyrics convey a sense of being “drunk on hope” while waiting by the phone, suggesting a metaphorical intoxication with the idea of reconciliation.
The protagonist is stuck in a rut, unable to move on from the memories of a love that once was. This emotional turmoil is reminiscent of the themes found in songs about drinking to forget, as the character grapples with the inability to let go of the past.
13. “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” by Merle Haggard
“I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” is a classic country song by Merle Haggard, released in 1980. The song is part of the album Back to the Barrooms and became Haggard’s twenty-sixth No. 1 country hit. It explores the theme of using alcohol as a refuge from the emotional wreckage caused by a failed relationship.
The lyrics express a desire to remain in the comfort of a bar, drinking away the pain rather than facing the outside world. The song features a memorable saxophone solo and an extended jam, which was unusual for country singles at the time, adding to its unique appeal.
14. “Happiness” by Three Days Grace
“Happiness” by Three Days Grace is a dark anthem that delves into the theme of using alcohol as a means to escape life’s difficulties. The song, from the album Transit of Venus, features thundering bass and reflects on the idea of finding “happiness straight from the bottle” when real life becomes too hard to handle.
The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and the judgment faced by the protagonist, who turns to alcohol as a last resort to cope with pressure and emotional turmoil. Despite its upbeat title, the song portrays the bleak reality of seeking solace in alcohol.
15. “One For My Baby (And One More For the Road)” by Frank Sinatra
“One For My Baby (And One More For the Road)” is a poignant ballad performed by Frank Sinatra, written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. The song tells the story of a man pouring out his heartache to a bartender during the “wee small hours of the morning.” It captures themes of heartbreak, loneliness, and acceptance, using the bar setting as a metaphor for the protagonist’s sorrow and longing.
Sinatra’s performance, combined with a haunting melody and evocative lyrics, makes this song a timeless exploration of drinking to forget a failed relationship.
16. “Two More Bottles of Wine” by Emmylou Harris
“Two More Bottles of Wine,” originally written by Delbert McClinton and covered by Emmylou Harris in 1978, is a country song about finding solace in alcohol after a breakup. The narrative follows the protagonist who moves to Los Angeles with a lover, only to be left alone and working a menial job.
Despite the setback, the protagonist finds comfort in having “two more bottles of wine.” The song’s upbeat tempo and Harris’s spirited delivery contrast with the underlying theme of using alcohol to cope with disappointment and heartache.
17. “Habits (Stay High)” by Tove Lo
“Habits (Stay High)” by Tove Lo is a pop-electropop song that delves into the singer’s attempts to forget a past relationship through substance abuse and hedonistic behaviors. The lyrics describe a cycle of drinking, drug use, and partying as means to numb the pain of heartbreak. Tove Lo candidly shares her personal experiences, admitting that these habits were a significant part of her life during a difficult time.
The song’s catchy melody contrasts with its darker themes, capturing the desperation and emptiness that accompany the use of alcohol and drugs to escape emotional turmoil.
18. “Drinking Again” by Dinah Washington
“Drinking Again” by Dinah Washington is a classic vocal jazz track from her 1962 album of the same name. The song portrays the sorrow and regret of returning to drinking as a way to cope with lost love. Washington’s soulful delivery and the song’s melancholic arrangement convey a deep sense of longing and heartache.
The lyrics reflect the protagonist’s realization that despite the temporary comfort alcohol provides, it ultimately leaves her with the same unresolved feelings of loneliness and sadness.
19. “Midnight Bottle” by Colbie Caillat
“Midnight Bottle” by Colbie Caillat is a soothing pop song that explores the theme of using alcohol to revisit memories of a past relationship. The lyrics describe the protagonist turning to a “midnight bottle” to relive moments with a former lover, finding solace in the memories that the drink brings back.
The song captures the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and the way alcohol can serve as a conduit for revisiting the past, even if only temporarily.
20. “The Cut Off” by J. Cole
“The Cut Off” by J. Cole, featuring his alter-ego kiLL edward, is a track from his album KOD that addresses themes of betrayal and coping mechanisms. While not solely focused on drinking, the song includes references to using alcohol and drugs as a means to escape the pain of cutting off toxic relationships.
The lyrics express a struggle with trust and the desire to numb emotional pain through substances. J. Cole’s introspective verses highlight the internal conflict and societal pressures that lead individuals to seek solace in unhealthy habits.
Submit Your Song to This Playlist
Do you have a track or song you’d like to feature on this playlist? If so, please fill out the form below for our evaluation.
Serena Whitfield is the founder of PlaylistCurator.org. She’s a musician who writes songs for bands. She studied music at the University of Oxford and graduated with distinction. With her expertise, she knows how to review songs and understand what makes good and bad music. Every playlist on our platform is approved by her before publishing to maintain top-notch quality. If you want her to check out your song and maybe get featured on our playlist, submit your song for Serena to evaluate.