10 Texas Drinking Songs to Get Your Weekend Started

With spring here, and summer right around the corner, Hill Country folks are headed outdoors. Whether it’s floating a river, attending a festival, or just barbecuing with the family, chances are there will be some ice cold adult beverages for you to imbibe. So while you’re out and about drinking up the season, here are 10 drinking songs written and/or performed by fellow Texans to help get you into a Lone Star State of Mind.

I Gotta Get Drunk (1970) – Willie Nelson

While there may be another pastime for which Willie Nelson is famous for, our favorite red-headed stranger has also been known to also enjoy an adult beverage or two. And though we may quite not know why our fellow Texan is bound and determined to get his drink on, we sure can relate to the regret of an entire paycheck spent on this quest.

Fuzzy (2013) – Randy Rogers Band

We’ve all been there. Someone calls us up, asking for us to join them for ‘just one or two’. Next thing we know, we’re waking up with an empty bottle of tequila and a new tattoo, not even sure what darn day of the week it is. Okay, well maybe not all of us. But San Marcos’ Randy Rogers Band lets us live it vicariously through this rollicking song about the effects of a night out on the town.

80 Proof Bottle of Tear Stopper (1983) – George Strait

No Texas country music list would be complete without a song by The King. Poteet’s own George Strait is famous for giving us songs about love that lasts forever (and ever, amen). This single from his #1 record Right or Wrong, though, has all the proof we need that if love does go wrong, there’s always a helping hand to wash it all away.

Photo: www.stillspirits.com

The Everclear Song (1998) – Roger Creager

Corpus Christi native Roger Creager’s ode to the ‘invisible intoxicant’ Everclear is an anthem for the ages. Even fellow Texas artist Josh Abbott Band pay homage to this classic drinking song in their song, ‘My Texas’. It’s easy to see why. Listening to Creager retell tales from his rebel youth reminds us all of the trouble a bit of booze can cause. And hey, who the hell needs that?

Last Call (2008) – Lee Ann Womack

Who among us hasn’t received a call from an ex at closing time? When Lee Ann Womack soulfully sings, “‘Baby, I still love you’ / Don’t mean nothing when there’s whiskey on your breath”, it’s like you’re the one listening to that voice mail on the other end of the line. Luckily, this Texas lady knows exactly when it’s time to just call this relationship done.

Turn That Crown Upside Down (2013) – Kyle Park

Ah, whiskey. The hard working man’s answer to another long day on the job. Leave it to the Hill Country’s own Kyle Park to make his mark with this upbeat tune about just wanting to unwind with a glass of his favorite golden elixir. From Johnny to Jim, and everything in between, you’re sure to forget all your troubles as long as you have some Maker’s by your side.

Sunday Morning Coming Down (1971) – Waylon Jennings

Johnny Cash’s recording of Sunday Morning Coming Down is, without a doubt, the most popular version of the song. But back in 1971, North Texas’ Waylon Jennings recorded South Texas’ Kris Kristofferson’s perennial hangover hymn, and it is simply perfect. Capturing that achy empty feeling of the morning-after is just what we need to hear to convince us that it’s okay to have that breakfast beer for dessert.

Photo: www.miranapa.com

99 Bottles (2009) – Zane Williams

Touted as ‘the ultimate beer song’, Zane Williams’ 99 Bottles certainly does make a person thirsty for a frothy brew. As he tenaciously works his way through, well, 99 bottles of beer, this Texas boy keeps us a-countin’ and cheering him on. Lucky for him (and us), there’s plenty of liquor left to keep the party going well into the wee hours of the night.

Whiskey River (1972) – Johnny Bush

Yes, that’s Johnny Bush, not Willie Nelson. Born in Houston and later relocating to San Antonio, Johnny wrote and recorded this Texas favorite in 1972. An awesome sing-along song, Johnny implores the amber alcohol to wash him free of her memory. We can all raise a glass to that, Johnny boy. Let’s just hope this particular river never runs dry.

The Lord Loves A Drinkin’ Man (2004) – Kevin Fowler

I sure hope He does love a drinkin’ man, cause if not, we’re all in trouble. Amarillo native Kevin Fowler put into song what we’ve all been praying for… redemption. After being told time and time again that drinking will lead you straight to H-E-double hockey sticks, Kevin responds on behalf of drinkers everywhere, letting everyone know that the big man upstairs is a-ok with us sinners after all.

Well, there you have it folks, 10 Texas drinking songs for your spring/summer playlist. Please remember, though, to enjoy responsibly. We all want to live to enjoy another beer, I mean day, in the Hill Country.