There are numerous songs about consuming in rock ‘n’ roll — wild events, late nights, extra to the max. Understandably, there are fewer songs about not consuming, or in some circumstances, the final penalties of alcohol.
As any rock star who’s been within the enterprise lengthy sufficient will in all probability inform you, the repercussions of overindulgence embody all the things from gentle hangovers to misplaced friendships to, within the worst of circumstances, loss of life. (An vital observe: For these going through points with substance abuse, assist is out there 24/7.)
So whether or not you are taking part in Dry January or your new 12 months’s decision is to imbibe rather less, these songs would possibly assist remind you of your purpose.
1. “Alcohol,” The Kinks
From: Muswell Hilbillies (1971)
“Here’s a story a couple of sinner,” begins the Kinks’ “Alcohol.” What follows is an awfully unhappy story a couple of man who will drink something in any respect — “Port, pernod or tequila / Rum, scotch, vodka on the rocks” — in an effort to overlook his troubles. However the behavior lands him in much more hassle along with his spouse, job and checking account.
2. “Residing Life by the Drop,” Stevie Ray Vaughan
From: The Sky Is Crying (1991)
Stevie Ray Vaughan struggled with alcoholism for a variety of years, however in 1986, he accomplished rehab and went again on the street sober. He remained that approach till his loss of life in 1990, and it unquestionably made him an skilled in how alcohol can devour an individual’s life. This is kind of the premise of “Residing Life by the Drop.”
3. “Suicide Resolution,” Ozzy Osbourne
From: Blizzard of Oz (1980)
Ozzy Osbourne’s “Suicide Resolution” got here out in 1980. Six years later, it was the topic of a lawsuit filed towards Osbourne for being the “proximate trigger” of 19-year-old John Daniel McCollum’s loss of life, who shot and killed himself whereas listening to the primary facet of Osbourne’s Blizzard of Ozz album. Osbourne would later make clear that by “resolution” he was referring to alcohol being a liquid: “Wine is ok, however whiskey’s faster / Suicide is gradual with liquor.) (Disaster assets can be found 24/7.)
4. “Wonderful,” Aerosmith
From: Get a Grip (1993)
There isn’t any direct point out of alcohol in Aerosmith’s “Wonderful” from 1993, nevertheless it’s fairly clear that the tune is about leaving booze behind. Steven Tyler, one other artist who has overtly struggled with substance abuse, accomplished a rehabilitation program in 1986, and evidently felt compelled to reassure Aerosmith followers who is perhaps struggling themselves. “So from all of us at Aerosmith to all of you on the market,” he says on the finish of the monitor, “wherever you’re, keep in mind: the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel could also be you. Goodnight.”
5. “Sober,” Software
From: Undertow (1993)
“The tune and video are primarily based on a man we all know who’s at his inventive greatest when he is loaded,” Software guitarist Adam Jones defined of “Sober” in 1994. “Lots of people give him shit for that. I do not inform individuals to do or not do medication. You are able to do what you need, however it’s important to take accountability for what occurs.”
6. “Say It Ain’t So,” Weezer
From: Weezer (1994)
When Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo was small, his father, an alcoholic, left the household. A number of years later, Cuomo arrived residence from highschool sooner or later to discover a bottle of beer within the fridge and feared the worst: his step-father would wind up leaving the household too. “This bottle of Steven’s awakens historical emotions,” he sings in “Say It Ain’t So,” the tune he was subsequently impressed to jot down. “I used to be an indignant younger man,” Cuomo instructed Rolling Stone in 2014. “I used to be fast to level the finger.”
7. “Passenger Facet,” Wilco
From: A.M. (1995)
Jeff Tweedy of Wilco is the intoxicated narrator in “Passenger Facet,” whereas a sober buddy drives. This, in fact, is a accountable selection, however earlier than lengthy he begins wishing he was truly the one behind the wheel — each actually and figuratively — a swap that finally might result in one thing disastrous. “Ought to’ve been the driving force / May’ve been the one / I ought to’ve been your lover, however I hadn’t seen.”
8. “The Bottle Let Me Down,” Merle Haggard
From: Swinging Doorways (1966)
Those that try to seek out aid on the backside of a liquor bottle often discover there’s nothing there however extra anguish. Merle Haggard knew this. “Tonight your reminiscence discovered me a lot too sober,” he sings in “The Bottle Let Me Down. “Could not drink sufficient to maintain you off my thoughts.”
9. “It Will get Simpler,” Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
From: Reunions (2020)
Jason Isbell has been sober since 2012, a choice he defined to Al.com in 2023 as a “acutely aware effort to be as grateful as potential.” Since then, Isbell has written a variety of songs that contact on the concept of sobriety and the challenges it may deliver, like in 2020’s “It Will get Simpler.” In it the narrator desires they’re consuming once more, which brings up a wave of unlucky recollections.
10. “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Kris Kristofferson
From: Kristofferson (1970)
The factor that follows a drunken Saturday night time is a Sunday morning hangover, which, on this Kris Kristofferson tune, is tamed with a beer for breakfast. When the weekend enjoyable is over, the booze usually comes again round to chew you.
Sobriety Tales: 37 Rock Artists Who Have Achieved Restoration
These musicians confronted their substance abuse points head-on.
Gallery Credit score: Allison Rapp
