Introduction:
Drinking’ My Way Back Home, a poignant country ballad about heartbreak and the allure of solace in alcohol, was released in 1983 by established country music singer Gene Watson. The song, composed by songwriting duo Bill and Leah Lindsey, was produced by Billy Sherrill, a legendary figure in country music known for his work with artists like George Jones and Tammy Wynette.
Drinking’ My Way Back Home marked a significant moment in Gene Watson’s career. While he had found success throughout the 1970s with songs like “Love in the Late Afternoon” and “Fourteen Carat Mind,” Drinking’ My Way Back Home became his first number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. The song’s relatable theme struck a chord with audiences. The protagonist drowns his sorrows in alcohol after a romantic breakup, a situation many country listeners could identify with. Watson’s powerful vocals delivered the emotional weight of the lyrics, capturing the desperation and pain of a heart on the mend.
Drinking’ My Way Back Home‘s success wasn’t limited to the charts. The song received critical acclaim for its poignant storytelling and traditional country sound. It became a staple of Watson’s live performances and helped solidify his reputation as a country music traditionalist. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to capture the universality of heartache and the flawed ways we sometimes try to cope with it. Even today, Drinking’ My Way Back Home continues to resonate with country music fans, remaining a go-to track for fans of classic country music and heartache ballads.
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Lyrics:
I sobered up in HoustonIn the bed of my pickup truckMy head was hangin’ so heavyI could hardly hold it up
I got to thinkin’ ’boutSweet little woman I left all aloneAnd that’s when I started rollin’Drinkin’ my way back home
Drinkin’ my way back homeListenin’ to a honky tonk songI hope the Devil in my soul don’t steer me wrong‘Cause I’m drinkin’ my way back home
I can feel that Texas sunDown on this redneck of mineEvery time I pop topI’m getting closer to the Arkansas line
I left a trail of Lone Star beersFrom here to San AntoneSo, baby, here I come, don’t worryDrinkin’ my way back home
Drinkin’ my way back homeListenin’ to a honky tonk songI hope the Devil in my soul don’t steer me wrong‘Cause I’m drinkin’ my way back home
Drinkin’ my way back homeListenin’ to a honky tonk songI hope the Devil in my soul don’t steer me wrong‘Cause I’m drinkin’ my way back home
Here I come, baby