One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" (or "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer",… Read Full Bio ↴One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" (or "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer", its original title) is a blues song written by Rudy Toombs and recorded by Amos Milburn in 1953. It is one of several drinking songs recorded by Milburn in the early 1950s that placed in the top ten of the Billboard R&B chart.[1] Other artists released popular recordings of the song, including John Lee Hooker in 1966 and George Thorogood in 1977.

One Scotch One Bourbon One Beer
Amos Milburn Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

One scotch, one bourbon, one beer
One scotch, one bourbon, one beer
Please mister bartender, listen here
I ain't here for trouble, so have no fear
One scotch, one bourbon, one beer

I don't want soda nor bubble gum
You got what I want, just serve me some

Since my baby's been gone, everything is lost
I'm on this kick and I can't get off

One scotch, one bourbon, one beer
One scotch, one bourbon, one beer
Please mister bartender, listen here
I ain't here for trouble, so have no fear
One scotch, one bourbon, one beer

My woman started me on this spree
I can't find her and she can't find me
She left this morning, said she wouldn't stay
She's been out all night and it's the break of day

One scotch, one bourbon, one beer
One scotch, one bourbon, one beer
Please mister bartender, listen here
I ain't here for trouble, so have no fear
One scotch, one bourbon, one beer

One more nip and make it strong
I got to find my baby and drive her home [if it takes all night long]

One scotch, one bourbon, one beer
One scotch, one bourbon, one beer

Overall Meaning

The song "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer" by Amos Milburn tells the story of a man who has lost his woman and has turned to drink to deal with his troubles. This is evident in the lyrics "Since my baby's been gone, everything is lost, I'm on this kick and I can't get off." Clearly, the singer is struggling to cope with his loss and is using alcohol as a form of escapism. He requests the bartender for "One scotch, one bourbon, one beer" several times, in an effort to drown his sorrows and find solace in the numbness that comes with inebriation.

The chorus of the song, "One scotch, one bourbon, one beer. Please mister bartender, listen here. I ain't here for trouble, so have no fear. One scotch, one bourbon, one beer" establishes the singer's need for comfort and understanding. He's not there to create problems, but is simply looking for a way to cope with his loss. By the end of the song, the singer has decided to take one more drink in the hope that it will give him the strength to "find his baby and drive her home" even if it takes all night long.

Line by Line Meaning

One scotch, one bourbon, one beer
I want three alcoholic drinks, specifically one scotch, one bourbon, and one beer

Please mister bartender, listen here
I am politely requesting the attention of the bartender

I ain't here for trouble, so have no fear
I am not causing any problems, so there is no need to worry

I don't want soda nor bubble gum
I am not looking for non-alcoholic drinks or snacks

You got what I want, just serve me some
I am confident that the bartender has what I am looking for, so I am asking for it

Since my baby's been gone, everything is lost
I feel lost and lonely since my partner left me

I'm on this kick and I can't get off
I am hooked on drinking and cannot stop myself

My woman started me on this spree
My partner introduced me to heavy drinking

I can't find her and she can't find me
Both my partner and I are currently lost and separated

She left this morning, said she wouldn't stay
My partner left me earlier today and indicated that she would not be back

She's been out all night and it's the break of day
My partner has been gone all night and it is now morning

One more nip and make it strong
I want one more drink, and I would like it to have a higher alcohol content

I got to find my baby and drive her home [if it takes all night long]
I am determined to find my partner and bring her home, even if it takes all night

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RUDOLPH TOOMBS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@SamanthaFontaine

28w↑2

❤ 💃 🩰 🕺 Great old days with my Parents HOUSE PARTIES 🎉💃 Family partying all night until dawn🌙 🥳 ❤ Song 🎵 on repeat because it is addictive 😂 HAPPY DAYS! DANCING 💃 🕺 LAUGHING 😂😂❤

@alvincoleman5617

6y↑65

My father used to sing this song to me around the house growing up! He was that old southern blues Bad Boy! Salt of the earth! Rest in heaven Dad!

@richardvaughan9994

Alvin Coleman Rest In Peace pops, those are them good memories my friend. 😁

@mr.bonesbbq3288

Wish I had had th Honour of knowin yer Pops, Brotherman...

Sounds like we'd'a been Fast Friends.

@daleflavien9425

4y↑9

An oldie but goodie.

@JULZA8882

16y↑24

By far the best version of this tune !! Proper vibes !!

@Coppillie

45w

Yes, very different from the other versions (even a slightly different title!)

@jaybee2530

10y↑49

I can't stop listening to this song! I've listened to this song for the 64th time in a row. Please...somebody send help!

@helenalexander7680

10y↑6

Jay Bee sweetheart , its just good listening

@kamil544

9y↑3

+Jay Bee Same problem there :D !

@davethompson3140

8y↑2

Jay Bee -The cure? Listen to some of his other tunes!, like the chicken shack

@michaeldustraman6169

7y↑4

Jay Bee, get a good glass of scotch, then some bourbon & some beer; then listen 164 times more. When you get exhausted, it's all over. My own recipe:))

@barleyeducated8714

@@kaianttila1619 That's right, should be every day! :P

4 More Replies...

@Aleegssander

13y↑4

Oldie I loved when it was an oldie. Growing up in Jamaica exposed us to a wide genre of music, and this was in the exposure!!!

@richardeason3199

6y↑8

Fantastic version of this song. Can’t sit still listening to it, even as a white guy with little rhythm. I have to find more blues gems like this one. It will be a great journey.

@miroslavloncar8857

4y↑1

This is original version.

@Coppillie

45w

Six years on, are you still searching?

@julenjames

6y↑4

great song, gonna play this song on Friday with ma band. can't wait

@joesphgomez2338

6y↑4

Truely 1 of Amos Millburn best and a true classic

@johnchristiansen5881

9y↑6

Wonderful, wonderful jump blues...

@stephencollins1438

2y↑5

No soda no bubble gum just one class tune !

@Coppillie

45w

I was never sure about those lyrics, so I wrote some of my own: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxoSIMJjy6QMC9IQwmSjdWO7WecsAjLzyl?si=CMcOCuKd3vsFLiiz

@memaw20able

My Uncle love this song so much,he’ll I can sing from memory…Love my uncle Jimmy…🥰🥰🥰

@barotk3776

6y↑7

I've just been watching UK sitcom Desmond's where they featured the song in Season 4 Episode 12 and am truly hooked - its amazing how a 30 year old British comedy can open new doors to music!!!

@daviddrysdale2746

5y↑2

K Barot That is exactly what brought me here too! Great music 🙌🏾👌🏾👏🏾

@TootsieRoll991

5y↑1

@@daviddrysdale2746 me three☺

@jaydz.bent-ashton

Wow I'm not the only one😂

@IsaiahRaymondDyer09

16y↑15

The GREATEST version ever lol man this brings back memories of older relatives dancing at family parties, just playing it is making me laugh lol

@gardnerlennox8394

8y↑10

I remember this song as a kid when my eyes were at my knees ( 1950s)wow

@thomaslombardo3401

6y↑4

He was a fine -and underrated - Singer. 😊

@titoku1365

12y↑9

まだまだ、こういったいいお店があるかもしれませんね～

@ヴァンホーエンハイム-z6c

6y↑8

いいお店でした。でもまだこの先にいいところがあるんですねぇ。あと2.3件はいってみようと思います。では、、、

@ca2188

16y↑4

hands down, the best version of this song.

@BreyTucker

14y↑23

It's the best version because it's the original. He really meant those lyrics.

@cooldaddy2877

5y↑6

the originals are not always the best. This is the best simply because it IS the best!

@dylandundas2929

Rip, your dad sounds amazing

@dickdeoreo

I have a feeling like Thorogood meant these lyrics when he was singing them but this version is lovely, of course

@johnbremner5339

Brey, actually Amos didn't drink much...an old friend of his told me that

@prezadent1

@@johnbremner5339 Amos drank like a fish. Go and try to change wikipedia (for this song) and see if "a friend of his told me" is a valid enough reference to not get reverted.

2 More Replies...

@lolitapatentattorney

13y↑8

いやぁ～～～､どうでしたかこのお店。いいじゃありませんか､この雰囲気。あと､あのお刺身､美味しかったですねぇ～～～。もうこのまま（ヒック）､極楽浄土へ行っちゃいそうな気分ですよ。

@thumpyloudfoot864

6y↑14

LMAOOOOO anyone laughing hysterically at "Aladdin Chickenshackers"

@soln4suhreborn

14y

My Dad had this song on an old TDK tape (back when the tape casings were gray). I haven't heard this song since I was a kid,and yes I was a blues lover even then!!!

@MeuRichards

10y↑5

Quanto amo questa canzone !

@kILo0oMa

Ahhh... I remeber a few years ago when someone showed how to swing dance to this song <3 makes me happy thinking about it every time.

@user-n3i3w

4y↑3

もちろん類さんから来たんだけど、実はなによりも驚いたのは、この曲がジョンリーフッカーの曲だったってこと。たしかベスト盤に入ってたかも。。いかにもジョンリーが作りそうな感じがするよ。ジョンリーフッカー！大好きなブルースマンだった！

@rocfanatic13

16y↑8

Great tune! Thanks for posting. I think John Lee Hooker's version is my favorite but George Thorogood does a good version also where he combines it with another John Lee Hooker song. This version definitely rocks though :)

@mariodiazvicentepawer9170

I like this music so much greetings from mexico all my respect

@peggyhenson5369

3y↑1

Great song!

@christielove9000

2y↑2

2022 ♾

@BillyMegaWatt

15y↑2

Wow, what a classic! Thanks for posting such a great tune, -Bill

@黒田祐一-q2e

6y↑5

いやー、今日はこのまままっすぐ家に帰りたいと思います。それでは！

@rapier1605

8y↑6

酒場放浪記のエンディング曲ではBad Bad Whiskey及びOne Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beerは人気があるのに、何故かJust One More Drinkだけ人気がないんですよねぇ。何故なんだろ?

@HEADCOUNT_RECORDS

15y↑1

love this track. bought it on vinyl but it was not this version. thanks for uploading it.

@Lets_Go_Canes

29w

Quality of this recording is incredible given the timeframes

@phillipcrockett2890

5y↑1

This was Ms Marietta's song that Doc and I used to sing as children. Wow

@medsadrija

10y↑98

THIS IS MUSIC <3

@holyballswappfalls1158

10y

Cooper Gomez hell yeah subscribe to my channel

@AgentBlackBlood

10y↑9

Cooper Gomez Lots of people like different kinds of music, man.

@memyself248

10y

Amen.

@memyself248

10y

+Lynn not to you, the other comment

@AgentBlackBlood

10y↑6

Me Myself Aight, good to see you don't respect people's taste in music.

21 More Replies...

@BettanBus

17y

Very very underrated and loverly too.

@mr.mirchenstein6549

5y↑1

Great Stuff!! 🎶 🥃🥃🍺

@iovitza1982

10y

What a great song....

@IsaiahRaymondDyer09

16y

YOu know what i dont even listen to this kind of music but heard it growing up and for some reason wanted to hear it again lol

@eugenecattouse1860

8y↑4

Just wanna belly up to the bar and drink mah blues away...

@Tms559

4y↑3

I’ve been watching reaction videos to “one bourbon, one scotch, one beer” and just had to find a version closer to how I remember it - was there a 70’s cover? lol - I remember singing this!

@Hannwilliams

4y↑2

You may be thinking of the George Thorogood 70’s version, it’s so good!

@kenfribedri

15y

This is the 1st time on Jan. 29, 2010 i've heard this, i like it!! I got a cold beer right now!!

@TuTomaszi

11y↑5

it's so perfect!

@catroventos6028

10y

Paulina Tomaszewska you too!!

@011dream

6y↑2

Writers - Rudy Toombs

Amos Milburn - Published 1953

John Lee Hooker - Published 1966
George Thorogood - published 1977

@Coppillie

45w

And, Coppillie 2024. :). https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxoSIMJjy6QMC9IQwmSjdWO7WecsAjLzyl?si=CMcOCuKd3vsFLiiz

@Cream8n

15y↑1

Great sound! Thanks for the upload.

@PaulGreen11

4y↑1

Considering the time, this is a great recording.

@ruthdixon7807

1y↑1

john lee hooker cut a magnificently slurry version of this late-night anthem, but milburn's original still has the edge.

@Surferjo

great tune merry christmas

@udachan1

12y↑2

いやあ、良い唄だ

@gerwynevans2729

5y↑3

Written by Rudy Toombs and recorded in 1953. John Lee Hooker's version is probably the better known one.

@keithphilbin3054

What a tune

@pepsicola3000

6y↑1

Love it

@Me00irule

16y

i had this in my head for a week

@mustafaozdemir8646

If i listen this music feeling very relax ;)

@biebonitao

melhor versão dessa musica

@nancybthescratcher6327

Love this somg

@HylianMigz

11y

so many feels

@benalfonso8990

6y↑1

rock on, COMPTON !!!!

@namihey3

9y↑27

いや～良い店でした。
充分満足したんですが・・・あと２～３軒寄らないと帰れませんので、
ここら辺りを彷徨いたいと思います！では！

@user-gz6up3kg5d

9y↑9

さまよいて　池に落ちたる　千鳥かな

@abdulkiralla7036

Indeed indeed

@djthemoretaiwan

5y↑2

Bass – Clarence Isabell
Drums – Joseph Hadrick*
Guitar – Curley Mays, Ralph Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Hank Cosby*

@74SD455TA

Wow!

@buzzawuzza3743

really really great

@benalfonso8990

11y↑8

1952......I KNEW THIS GIRL........SOULD I SAY MORE?......7TH GRADE WHALEY JR. HI IN COMPTON

@paradisepipeco

The description above incorrectly states that this song was written by John Lee Hooker, who covered this song years later. This is the original 1953 record, and the tune was written by Rudy Toombs.

Hooker re-wrote it over a decade later, recording it in 1966; and George Thorogood's modern version combines Hooker's adaption with another Hooker tune, "House Rent Boogie", reportedly with Hooker's blessing.

@SanderCurtis

10y↑14

Can someone go to a bar, play this music when asked to order and send me the link of the video?

@johnnieguitar5724

Will do Man! Done it many times myself, feels good, and feels better when you're done. Be creative, which one follows which, order another round and try it differently. Halfway through your beer? Order another Bourbon and Scotch. :)

Only trouble I've had with that order in Canada was " sorry we don't have Bourbon,,how about JD?" Pitiful. But s l o w l y Alberta bartenders are stocking at least one bourbon, now.

Never hearing this original version, I see now how John Lee murdered the verses on this song....... but I like the dialogue he put in. George Thorogood straightened out that version pretty well IMHO. THanks for posting snapcraclepop54!!

@johnnieguitar5724

Emmanuel I hope you can get Youtube on your new phone now---- go to this site! :)

@isiamonoi

3y↑1

Ho iniziato a ballare lindy hop con questo brano a Milano/italia

@Daniean

I grew up only knowing the Admiral Bailey & Chaka Demus Version.nice to hear the original

@MoSizzlac97

9y↑3

oh yess

@Ack33

13y

Yep! Admiral Bailey and Chaka Demus

@byrongarcia2048

10y

just what I needed... and else!

@starteamplus

15y↑1

@dball111 I agree, best version !

@michaelchase8851

7y↑2

this is a good recording

@biebonitao

Quando conquistar meus maiores sonhos, sentarei do alto e tomarei um Wisk 12 anos ouvindo esse som.

@scottarnopol5010

Good song. I like the version of this song recorded by Ruby Hayes.

@callumlane8785

I remember hearing this in year 10 history lesson learning about American in the 30s and 40s and this song being played and me being me finding it a vibe 💀

@sirmattblack1

16y

pureeeee genius

@fish_s0ciety

으아아아 너무 좋다고오오
진짜 좋다고오오어떡해애애애

@charlie7333

10y↑2

does anyone know more songs like this??

@Chris-yy5pj

9y↑1

route 66 chick berry has tge same ish feel its not alot but you could try swing or boogie songs

@clowntrooper61

Also little queenie

@johnowen6853

7y↑2

As smooth as the smoothesT bourbom

@captlarry-3525

6y↑1

stick around for the end !

@lenparis6237

9y↑1

......dear O R, thats semenal........

@Fasneocroth

I'm reading 'On the Road' and the author is in the era bop came out so I'm listening to get a better idea of the scene

@ttped3967

9y↑11

後、2～3軒回ってから帰りたいと思います。では！！

@sanzou441

10y↑7

吉田類の酒場放浪記から＾＾

@blairjones8231

Blues you can use!

@Savvynlady

I'm here because it was on p!ayed on the British Comedy, Desmond and that's why I'm here Season 4, Episode 12

@Johnny_smathers

and his aladdin chickenshackers

@dianereed8597

5y↑1

It’s A Neat Song ... lol

@joegardiner4220

9y↑3

Aladin chickenshackers ? Trying to decipher what the fuck that means or how they decided on that for a group name.

@clowntrooper61

IDK but there's way worst. Elmore james' band was the broomdusters

@zoicon5

Aladdin is the record label. Milburn had a previous hit "Chicken Shack Boogie".

@carybelzner5524

Chickenshackers friggn' rule🐔!!!

@無頼漢69

4y↑1

※goodjob.

@chriswatson7488

7y↑12

Best version, followed by John Lee Hooker, then that other guy!

@chriswatson7488

If you want a rock version then yes, it probably is the best. For smoothness I stand by what I said 3 years ago!

@chriswatson7488

@@prezadent1 Honestly couldn't remember his name

@syuutarou69

13y↑3

それじゃあ後もう二、三軒？

@sweetness1586

this is classic ! come now don't tell me this isn't a present issue !!

@dancelli714

HE specialiezed (sic) in booze songs. I don't remember the fade ?

@lebretton1

10y

good

@hul0t

15y

can anyone tell me if this is the dave bartholomew production?

@LowChicago

17y

Sweet as

@claudiodean6363

Oh Yeah

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