I Drink Alone Explained

I Drink Alone
Type:single
Artist:George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Album:Maverick
Released:February 1, 1985
Genre:Blues rock, hard rock
Length:4:35
Label:EMI America
Producer:Terry Manning
Prev Title:Gear Jammer
Prev Year:1985
Next Title:Willie and the Hand Jive
Next Year:1985

"I Drink Alone" is a rock song by George Thorogood and the Destroyers. It was released as a single from the 1985 album Maverick. The song describes a man who, as the name of the song suggests, spends most of his time alone drinking. It name-checks various alcoholic beverages - Wiser's (or alternately Budweiser), Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam, Johnnie Walker (Black and Red Labels), and Old Grand-Dad - in the verses. (In some live versions, the Old Grand-Dad verse is replaced with a verse referencing Wild Turkey.) It peaked at number 13 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks.

Reception

"I Drink Alone" is often considered to be one of Thorogood`s best songs, and is played often in live performances.

AllMusic critic James Christopher Monger called "I Drink Alone" one of Thorogood's "high points".[1]

Music Video

The video starts with Thorogood riding on a motorcycle with a guitar case on his back, he stops at a gas station, lights a cigarette and looks around, before picking up his guitar case and entering the bar at the gas station. When he enters the bar, he finds it empty. He sits down, and starts lip syncing the song. Thorogood then opens his guitar case, and takes out an alcoholic beverage, and glass and starts drinking. The video then cuts to Thorogood playing the solo on his guitar, after which he goes back to drinking alcohol and singing. The video ends with Thorogood taking a shot, when he notices a woman next to him. He gets up, walks to the door and mutters the words "I drink alone" before leaving. The whole video is in black and white.[2]

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Monger . James Christopher . Platinum Review . AllMusic.
  2. Web site: George Thorogood & The Destroyers - I Drink Alone . Youtube.
  3. Web site: George Thorogood Awards . . September 19, 2012.