The best songs about drinking are the lively and encouraging ones.
Fun drinking songs about having the time of your life are better than songs with lyrics about drinking yourself into oblivion.
Of course, songs about alcohol can glamorize addiction so it can be tricky to settle a list of good drinking songs.
We have dug up some happy and fun beer songs, to balance out the songs about drinking problems. Subtler drinking lyrics and feel-good pub song vibes.
We’ve done our homework so you can expect to see more than just songs with alcohol in the title. Whatever type of drinking song you have your sights set on; it’s in our drink songs list.
30 Songs About Drinking
1. UB40 – “Red Red Wine”
A drinking song that is bound to start a sing-song session in any pub. The break-up-inspired alcohol-infused lyrics are simple, catchy, and relatable.
“Red, red wine goes to my head
Makes me forget that I still need her so”
2. The Champs – “Tequila”
There are so many songs about alcohol, but “Tequila” probably trumps them all.
Instrumental for the most part, with a saucy sax to dance to and only the word “Tequila” to remember to yell – it is a high-spirited, happy drinking song great for drinking party playlists.
3. The Andrews Sisters- “Rum And Coca-cola”
An oldie but a goody, “Rum And Coca-Cola” became one of the Sister’s most popular songs. Originally a Trinidadian Calypso tune it speaks of soldiers overseas enjoying the pleasures of life. In this case the native drinks and…er… women.
“Drinkin’ rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin’ for the Yankee dollar”
4. Jimmy Buffet – “Margaritaville”
Very often drinking songs are a double-edged sword, this Buffet tune, sits on the fence neither positive nor negative.
“Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville
Searchin’ for my long lost shaker of salt”
5. Harry Nilsson – “Coconut”
Like “Rum and Coca-Cola” and “Tequila” above, Harry Nillson’s tune is a happy-go-lucky song about drinking that makes for a fun addition to a drinking party playlist.
The lyrics speak of a concoction for easing a stomach ache and despite no mention of alcohol in the lyrics it is thought of as a drinking tune!
“You put de lime in de coconut, you drank ’em bot’ up“
I suppose they make great mixers, alcohol or not, it is a great song to listen to drunk.
6. Beastie Boys – “Brass Monkey”
This Beastie Boys hit is a famous song about drinking. A Brass Monkey is a popular cocktail; rum, vodka, and orange juice over ice.
“I put it in the Monkey, mixed it in a cup
Went over to the girl, “Yo, baby, what’s up?”
I offered her a sip (sip)
The girl she gave me lip (lip)….”
A classic 80’s throwback about getting drunk and pulling!
7. Reel Big Fish – “Beer”
The best songs about alcohol, tend to be the ones about harmless fun.
Yes, the lyrics often promote overdrinking and make you want to pour some more. But they make for the best drinking songs, responsibly, in great company. This one is hands-down the ultimate beer song.
“And if I get drunk well, I’ll pass out on the floor now baby
You won’t bother me no more
And if you’re drinkin’ well, you know
That you’re my friend and I’ll say
I think I’ll have myself a beer”
This infamous, high-energy, modern ska tune covers the all too familiar break-up and beer solution positively and makes for a top drinking song.
8. Barenaked Ladies –”Alcohol”
This one, like many of the band’s songs, is a little tongue-in-cheek. It makes a lot of references to the fact that we drink to avoid the root of our issues.
“Oh Alcohol, I Still Drink To Your Health
I Love You More Than I Did The Week Before
I Discovered Alcohol”
But the melody is cheerful giving it a strangely uplifting “we’re not okay but it’s okay” attitude. The lyrics are witty making it one of those funny beer songs that are okay to add to a day drinking playlist.
9. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – “You and Me and the Bottle Make Three”
BBVD is possibly one of the most chipper bands out there so it is no surprise they can handle the topic well. A cheerful song about drinking.
“Man, I know, I’ve gotta go
It’s the same thing every time
But I don’t think another drink’s gonna
Make me lose my mind
So I’ll think about my next drink
And it’s you & me & the bottle makes three tonight”
10. Dead Kennedys – “Too Drunk to F***”
As songs about drinking problems go this one is as honest as they come if a little TMI!
This high-octane punk anthem sets the scene of the night that led to trouble;
“Went to a party
I danced all night
I drank sixteen beers
And I started up a fight”
It was actually written as a dig at the entitled class who have nothing better to do than getting wasted.
11. The Pogues – “Streams of Whiskey”
The pogues are known for songs that capture a gritty portrayal of real-life in their unmistakable Celtic-punk style.
This Irish ‘drinkin song’, that manages to make light of the dark is a clear candidate for the best drinking song.
“I am going, I am going
Where streams of whiskey are flowing”
12. Chumbawumba – “Tubthumping”
This, the band’s most successful single is about resilience, carrying on no matter what, and looking to the positive times.
The Fforde Grene pub in Leeds inspired the lyrics.
“He drinks a Whiskey drink, he drinks a Vodka drink
He drinks a Lager drink, he drinks a Cider drink“
It was the song that gave birth to one of the UK’s drinking chants.
“I get knocked down, but I get up again
You’re never gonna keep me down”
13. Supersonic – “Closing Time”
Good bar songs tend to be the tunes that let everyone know it’s time to go home. Most local watering holes have one. This song had a mixed reception, some crowning it memorable and others annoying, but if you want a song about drinking and you’re not on a bender it is pure drinking music.
“Closing time, one last call for alcohol
So, finish your whiskey or beer
Closing time, you don’t have to go home
But you can’t stay here”
A definitive ‘drink up song’.
14. LCD Sound System – “Drunk Girls”
In the world of drunk songs, this one stands with the greats. The at-times ridiculous lyrics and sound effect choices along with the singer’s meandering melody and pitch make the song sound drunk.
Some of our favorite lines include;
“Drunk girls cause a couple of heart attacks”
“Drunk girls wait an hour to pee”
“Drunk girls know that love is an astronaut”
15. Snoop Dogg – “Gin and Juice”
Some of the most popular drinking songs are hip hop drinking songs and trust us there are almost too many to mention but this one with its chilled-out iconic chorus is well worth a mention.
Rollin’ down the street, smokin’ indo
Sippin’ on gin and juice, laid back
With my mind on my money
And my money on my mind
Perfect for anyone looking for laid-back drinking party songs.
16. J-Kwon – “Tipsy”
From hip-hop to hood-hop, this track from J-Kwon serves as another reminder of the links between getting tipsy and getting jiggy.
“One, here comes the two to the three to the four
Everybody drunk out on the dance floor“
Not the most imaginative of rap lyrics about drinking but popular regardless.
17. Kesha – “TiK ToK”
This one leaped into the charts another fast-paced hit, definitely a who cares if we are drinking too much song.
“Ain’t got a care in the world, but got plenty of beer“
Great for anyone looking for carpe diem pop songs about drinking and having a good time.
The ideal summer drinking songs playlist addition.
18. Charli XCX (ft. Lil Yachty) – “After the Afterparty”
Another pumped-up, kegger party-worthy option is Charli XCX’s banger about living life. With a youthful who cares attitude the singer’s lyrics unashamedly forgive her own sins.
“I think it’s almost 4 am but baby I’m still feeling just fine
Ice all up in a plastic cup and I’ma keep on sipping all night“
19. Rihanna – Cheers (Drink to That)”
A drinking song of a similar ilk is Cheers by Rihanna who reminds us all that life is short, her video showing a montage of clips of her good times.
The lyrics are feel-good and uplifting it would make a great addition to any list of toast songs.
“Cheers to the freakin’ weekend
I drink to that, yeah-e-yeah
Oh, let the Jameson sink in”
20. LMFAO featuring Lil Jon – “Shots”
Looking for songs to take shots to? This is one from the college drinking songs category that will have the room chanting drink drink drink.
The memorable party rockers open with an invitation/warning to the masses;
“If you not drunk ladies and gentlemen
Get ready to get f***ed up“
Chaos ensues in the form of “Shots shots shots shots shots everybody”
21. Dorothy – “Whiskey Fever”
A twisted tribute to her favorite poison, singer Dorothy belts out a banger in this heavy rock/dark country anthem.
“Whiskey whiskey whiskey fever
You are my evil
You are my evil love“
Top drinking song and one of my favorite modern songs about liquor.
22. The Kinks – “Have Another Drink”
A harmless-sounding song about drinking that touches on using alcohol as a coping mechanism. It was written for the band’s ‘Soap Opera’ project. In this scene, the musician named Starmaker stops at the bar.
“Have another drink and you’ll feel alright.
Have another drink it’ll make you feel better”
23. Tom Waits – “Warm Beer and Cold Women”
In his typical style, Waits growls over the top of his lamenting piano accompaniment about how he doesn’t fit in.
The lyrics about alcohol are a little deeper than some modern-day drinking songs and are more akin to country drinking song lyrics.
“All these double knit strangers with
Gin and vermouth and recycled stories”
24. AC/DC – “Have a Drink on Me”
The epitome of drink until your drunk/ drink until you fight songs by ACDC. A great example of a rock song with alcohol in the lyrics that isn’t overkilled.
“Dizzy, drunk and fightin’
On tequila white lightnin’
My glass is getting shorter
On whiskey, ice and water”
Classic rock drinking songs don’t get better than this!
25. Sia- “Chandelier”
If you didn’t realize “Chandelier” is singer Sia’s personally dark song about alcoholism.
The verse begins heartbreakingly;
“Party girls don’t get hurt
Can’t feel anything, when will I learn?“
The singer now sober reflects on the way alcohol can make you feel- in her case like she could swing from a chandelier.
26. Flaco Jiménez – “En El Cielo No Hay Cerveza (In Heaven There Is No Beer)”
A jolly song about beer that proves how universally relatable a song about drink can be. This part Spanish part English part German excuses any amount of drinking in life, rationalizing it very simply;
“In heaven there is no beer
That’s why we drink it here“
Another funny song to drink to.
27. The Doors – “Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)”
Undoubtedly another top drinking song, also known as “Whiskey Bar”. It is actually an English rendition of a German song adapted from a poem.
Well, show me the way
To the next whiskey bar
Oh, don’t ask why
Oh, don’t ask why
Morrison’s voice ambles over a giddy melody giving it a merry drunken feel. Its kooky vibe will keep you smiling; one of the best songs to drink to.
28. George Thorogood & the Destroyer – “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”
First to come to mind when you think of classic blues drinking songs.
“One bourbon, one scotch, one beer
Well I ain’t seen my baby since I don’t know when
I’ve been drinking bourbon, whiskey, scotch and gin
Gonna get high man I’m gonna get loose
Need me a triple shot of that juice”
Driving blues rhythm guitar that will have you searching for something to drink.
29. Bran Van 3000 – “Drinking in L.A”
A quirky little club tune to spill out of the late 90’s scene. It was a debut for the group and the lackadaisical vocals and narrative tell of getting absolutely nothing done after a day drinking in the city.
“But we did nothing, absolutely nothing that day
And I say, what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?”
A reflection of a lot of ‘wasted youth’.
30. Thin Lizzy – ”Whiskey In The Jar”
Our final selection is tough to beat, “Whiskey In The Jar” is one of those classic drinking songs that has been covered umpteen times.
It began life as an Irish traditional song about a highwayman betrayed by his lover. The Dubliners brought it to a wider audience but bands like Thin Lizzy and Metallica gave it a ‘rock drinking songs’ edge.
Final Thoughts
The best party songs are more often than not songs about alcohol. No kegger is complete without the best songs to drink to.
At the end of the day, whether you’re ‘a glass with your tea’ or an ‘entire bottle’ person, you can’t beat a song about getting drunk!
One thing is for sure the best bar songs are the ones with lyrics about drinking and having a laugh.
There are so many different kinds of drinking songs, we hope this booze song list has inspired you, be it toast songs or chugging songs, and songs about taking shots you might need!
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