Drinkin' 'n' Singin': A list of the best drinking & bar songs

Country and rock songs that go great with a night at the bar

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Country music and rock ‘n’ roll were seemingly forged in the crucible of the 20th century bar scene. These songs wear their heritage proudly, and will be giving bar-goers group sing-a-long material long past last call. Here's a list of some of the best drinking, bar-going songs. Which ones would you add to the list?

“Bar Room Buddies,” by Merle Haggard and Clint Eastwood. This cornball 1980 country hit is featured on the “Bronco Billy” soundtrack. Eastwood, the film’s director, awkwardly shares lead vocal duties. Sure, it’s terrible. Eastwood should never sing. But when you’re buzzed who couldn't sing along to: “So pour me another / We got nothing but time / Old chug-a-lug-a-lugging bar-room buddy of mine!LISTEN HERE

“Jack Daniel’s If You Please,” by David Allen Coe. Some nights at the bar are classy affairs. Some call it “social drinking.” You have a couple and head home early. Other, more eventful bar nights don’t end until you’re asked to leave. Coe’s 1978 drunkard’s ballad begs, “Jack Daniel’s if you please / Knock me to my knees.” LISTEN HERE

“Drunk Driver’s Coming,” by the Richard Brothers. This mega-rare 1959 Detroit blues single infuses wit into the lyrics, while reminding us of the legal and potentially deadly consequences of drinking and driving: “The officer pulled up beside him and said, ‘Pull to the curb! / I seen you boy, when you made that swerve.’” Message: Call a cab. LISTEN HERE

“Don’t Come Home Drinkin,’” by Loretta Lynn. This deceivingly upbeat 1967 hit reminds us to not frequent the clubs at night without the significant other in tow. Lynn is known for her straight-shooter lyrics: “Just stay out there on the town and see what you can find / Cause if you want that kind of love, well you don't need none of mine.” LISTEN HERE

“Here Comes a Regular,” by the Replacements. From the vantage point of a pensive drunkard sitting on a barstool, songwriter Paul Westerberg channels the consciousness of the working class on this moody classic 1985 track. Many “regulars" can surely identify with this line, “A person can work up a mean, mean thirst / After a hard day of nothing much at all.” LISTEN HERE

"Sunday Morning Coming Down,” by Johnny Cash. No singer has a more apt voice for setting the scene of a woozy, hair-of-the-dog hangover than Cash. He poetically croons on this 1969 Kris Kristofferson-penned tune: “I fumbled in my closet through my clothes / And found my cleanest dirty shirt / Then I washed my face and combed my hair / And stumbled down the stairs to meet the day.” LISTEN HERE

“Are You Drinkin’ With Me Jesus?,” by Jello Biafra & Mojo Nixon. This is a heavenly, sing-along about literally finding Jesus at the pub. Is that actually the Big Man Upstairs sitting there? Only if you believe … “Should we take a cab home Jesus? / Man, we can hoof it from here / I know you can walk on the water / But can you walk on this much beer?LISTEN HERE

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