By Caitlyn Trudnich
It’s currently the month of March, and you know what that means…two of the biggest times to drink – St. Paddy’s Day & March Madness!
So whether you’re chugging a brewski, slamming down a shot, or sipping on your cocktail, here’s a list of songs inspired by America’s favorite pastime – drinking!
When you wake up feeling green after one too many on March 18th and vow to never drink again, just listen to one of these songs and you’ll change your mind.
If you want even more songs perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, check out our list of the Top 10 Irish Rock Bands And Their Greatest Hits!
“Beer” – Reel Big Fish
Get ready to skank it out with this tune! Released in 1995, off of their debut album, Everything Sucks, this song is a fan-favorite! Throughout the years, the band has embraced their “one hit wonder” status, from the 1996 song, “Sell Out.” Although there have been many lineup changes, the band continue to have a large cult following, and you can usually find them on tour!
“Brass Monkey” – Beastie Boys
For those of you who don’t know, a “Brass Monkey” is a 40 oz. of beer, mixed with orange juice. Sound delish, right? Some people like to call it a “poor man’s mimosa.” Off of their 1987 Licensed to Ill, these boys embodied partying and having a good time! RIP MCA.
“Tubthumping” – Chumbawamba
“He drinks a whiskey drink, he drinks a vodka drink, he drinks a lager drink, he drinks a cider drink.” This 1997 anthem was the English band’s most successful hit, and they typically wrote more political and issue-related music. In 2012, the band announced that they were official ending the band. And yes, the lyrics are “pissing the night away,” not kissing.
“40oz. To Freedom” – Sublime
Another song about drinking 40s! Southern California ska-punk legends, Sublime, released their debut album of the same name in 1992. After lead singer Bradley Nowell passed away of a drug overdose, the album rose to popularity, including KROQ favorites, “Smoke Two Joints,” and “Badfish.”
“Cigarettes & Alcohol” – Oasis
Off of their debut album, Definitely Maybe, Brit rockers Oasis were beginning to show their edgy side with this single. The band, which included brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, had a successful career, until they unpleasantly parted ways in 2009. Liam now performs with the band, named Beady Eye, while Noel has his project, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. This year, Noel announced that Oasis’ first three albums would be re-mastered and re-released, beginning in May 2014!
“Doses and Mimosoas” – Cherub
New to our KROQ playlist is this groovy number from Tennessee natives, Cherub. This one’s for the “classy” drinkers, who prefer sipping on some champs and living it up! So raise your glass! And check out Cherub’s EP Antipasto, out now!
“Six Pack” – Black Flag
Punk rock heroes, Black Flag, released this ode to beer off their third EP of the same name in 1981. Plain and simple, the answer to any question is SIX PACK! Right after the album’s release, singer Dez Cadena switched from vocals to guitar, and S.O.A. singer and Black Flag fan, Henry Rollins, was initiated as the new singer of the band.
“Tequila” – The Champs
You can’t hear this song without thinking about two things – Pee Wee Herman dancing on a bar, and the Big League Chew scene from The Sandlot. This mostly instrumental song, released in 1958, was originally just a jam recorded as a B-side. But it’s popularity and irresistible saxophone solo turned this song into a number one hit for The Champs!
“Red Red Wine” – UB40
“Red, red, wine, you make me feel so fine.” In 1983, Brit reggae/pop band, UB40, released this song on their covers album, Labour of Love. Interestingly, this song was originally penned by singer/songwriter Neil Diamond. The cover was a huge success for the band, who also gained success with covers of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” and The Temptations’ “The Way You Do The Things You Do.”
“Bottles to the Ground” – NOFX
Let’s face it. All NOFX songs are good drinking songs. And this fan favorite is no exception! Released in 2000, off of their last Epitaph album, Pump Up the Valuum, this album also includes the song, “Dinosaurs Will Die.” Other songs from the punk band about drinking include, “You Drink, You Drink, You Spill,” “I Wanna Be An Alcoholic,” “First Call,” and “Bob.”
“Too Drunk To F**k” – Dead Kennedys
Released in 1981, this was the fourth single from the Brit hardcore punk band. Some record stores would not sell the album do its profanity-laden title, and even BBC Radio banned it from their station. With all the controversy, it still reached in the UK Top 40! Dead Kennedys, known for their anarchistic attitude and oposition to conformity, created stickers to be placed on the albums, saying, “Caution: You are the victim of yet another stodgy retailer afraid to warp your mind by revealing the title of this record so peel slowly and see…”
Watch the NSFW video here.
“Gin And Juice” – Snoop Dogg
How can this song not be included on this list? This was Snoop Dogg‘s second single of his debut album, Doggystyle, released in 1994. The Long Beach native is the embodiment of having a good time, and it’s impossible to hear this song and not want to start pouring the Tanqueray!
“Plastic Cup Politics” – Less Than Jake
Off of their most successful album, 2003′s Anthem, this song includes the story of “Mr. Six Pack of Confidence” and “Ms. 40 Ounce of Loneliness.” But unlike most happy drinking songs, this one talks about how in the game of “plastic cup politics,” everyone runs away from their feelings and insecurities by getting drunk.
“My Own Worst Enemy” – Lit
A KROQ favorite, this song is all about the morning after. You know, the “what the hell happened last night?” kinda times. Released in 1999 off their second album, A Place In The Sun, this song went on to be a chart-topping hit for the band (as well as a staple on KROQ).
“Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” – Arctic Monkeys
Off of the latest Arctic Monkeys album, AM, this song has the charming Alex Turner crooning about, well, drunk dials and booty calls. But these fine British chaps would never dare to be so crude! And so, they wrote this song to delicately describe those instances, with their unique rock and roll sound. The music video is equally interesting, but careful kids! This one’s definitely for 21+!