A well-written song has the power to ignite an evening, so don’t just set your iPod to shuffle and let any old worn-out tune begin your night. Creating a well-balanced drinking mixtape is a delicate science that takes careful thought and preparation. Sound like too much work? Well, don’t worry; we’ve already made a killer mix for you—click the link to hear it for free on 8tracks.com.
“To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)” by Ryan Adams This is a song as well as a sweeping generalization—oh, what the hell—he’s right, isn’t he? This musical gem performs a much-needed service—rationalizing all the time you wasted as a kid when you were out, well, getting wasted. “When you’re young, you get high…” Hey, if it’s in a song, then it must be true!
“Rehab” by Amy Winehouse “They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said ‘no, no, no.’” Well, no one can say that Amy Winehouse isn’t a woman of her word. With driving instrumentation and a catchy chorus that evokes the rebel within us all, this may very well be the drinking anthem of our time.
“Mexican Cousin” by Phish Everyone has a tequila story. The salt-lick-shot-lime ritual inspires such a heartwarming sense of community that, no matter how bombed you are, is nearly impossible to resist. “And tequila’s where it starts and where it ends.” It’s like Trey Anastasio’s known us all our lives!
“The Dirty Glass” by Dropkick Murphys This wouldn’t be a very good list of drinking songs if at least one of the bands weren’t Irish. The Murphys’ unmistakable sound is that of traditional Irish music mixed with Boston punk on steroids. “The Dirty Glass” has such a powerful and alluring chorus that it’ll have you fist-fighting at a Red Sox game in no time.
“Gin and Juice” by The Gourds (Originally by Snoop Dogg) With alcohol abuse and divorce being two primary inspirations for country music, it was only a matter of time before a country band covered Snoop Dogg’s notorious “Gin and Juice” rap anthem. The Gourds completely reinvent the song, truly making it their own. Give it a chance even if you don’t like country—it isn’t every day that you get to hear the words ‘bubonic chronic’ sung with a Southern drawl, beyotch!
“Hold Your Heads Up High” by Cast Iron Filter The title alone is uplifting. One of the best bands you’ve never heard of, banjo-plucking rockers Cast Iron Filter have crafted a revelry tune that sounds the call to liquor-incensed action. The chanting chorus is laden with alcohol references and an excited clamor that serve to encourage a riotous night on the town.
“Let’s Get Retarded” by Black Eyed Peas This is probably the most politically incorrect song of all time, as well as one of the most versatile. When this beat first dropped, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing “Let’s Get Retarded,” or to a lamer extent, “Let’s Get It Started,” radiating from a bar, apartment, or car stereo. Though it has fallen out of frequent radio rotation (“That’s soooo ’05”), as all songs must do at some point, this jam will forever hold a special place in the hearts of drunken young clubbers.
“Happy Hour Hero” by moe. “A pint of beer and a shot of Jack, a pack of Camel Lights”—if ever there were a recipe for bliss, this would be it. There is a simplicity to this tune that makes it beautiful, and isn’t that what happy hour is supposed to be about—simplicity? It’s that time of the day when you’re finally allowed to close your Outlook, turn off your Crackberry, and leave the headaches of the office back in your cubicle. “One more bottle for this happy hour hero.” Rock on, Superman.
Gotta get it? Download this Barfly's Mixtape on 8tracks.com and crack open that beer.
“Let’s Get Retarded” by Black Eyed Peas
“Happy Hour Hero” by moe.
