Best Drinking Song
Musicians have been inspired by alcohol since the days of traveling troubadours. Booze is a loosener of lips, a loosener of hips, and a shared experience for many adults – although respect to our sober brothers and sisters, especially in these challenging times. The summer months in particular have long been associated with adult beverages. Margaritas on the deck. Wine on the beach. A nice cold beer at a barbecue. So for the second of our 2025 Summer Specials, we want to look back at popular songs dedicated to alcohol, or about consuming it, as we debate the Best Drinking Song of all time.
Songs discussed: “Red Red Wine” by UB40, “Tubthumping” by Chumbawumba, “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks, “Shots” by LMFAO feat. Lil Jon, “Tequila” by The Champs, “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett, “Raise Your Glass” by Pink, “Gin & Juice” by Snoop Dogg, “Brass Monkey” by Beastie Boys, “Fireball” by Pitbull, “All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow, “Closing Time” by Semisonic, “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes, “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse, “TiK ToK” by Kesha, “There’s a Tear in My Beer” by Hank Williams Jr.
Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD panelists Andrea Guerrero, Jonny Minogue, and Zack Derby as they discuss 16 of the most popular songs about booze.
Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!
For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss even more songs about alcohol and drinking that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.
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Round 1 Match-Ups:
Not a Patreon subscriber? Here’s a primer on how we came up with the bracket.
Match-Up 1: “Red Red Wine” by UB40 (1) vs. “There’s a Tear in My Beer” by Hank Williams Jr. (4)
Match-Up 2: “Brass Monkey” by The Beastie Boys (3) vs. “Gin & Juice” by Snoop Dogg (2)
Match-Up 3: “Shot” by LMFAO feat. Lil’ Jon (1) vs. “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes (4)
Match-Up 4: “Closing Time” by Semisonic (3) vs. “Tequila” by The Champs (2)
Match-Up 5: “Tubthumping” by Chumbawumba (1) vs. “TiK ToK” by Kesha (4)
Match-Up 6: “Fireball” by Pitbull (3) vs. “Raise Your Glass” by Pink (2)
Match-Up 7: “Friends in Low Place” by Garth Brooks (1) vs. “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse (4)
Match-Up 8: “All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow (3) vs. “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett (2)
Want a playlist featuring all 16 of the nominated songs, as well as additional drinking songs suggested by our panelists? Click here to save the Spotify playlist.
Want to play along at home?
Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Episode Credits
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panelists: Andrea Guerrero, Jonny Minogue, Zack Derby
Producer: Derek Mekita
Editor: Eric Rezsnyak
Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch
