Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters, having written fourteen Number 1 singles and twenty four top 10 hits. He has had three Number 1 singles, six top 10 singles and two Number 1 albums as a solo artist, and has had seventeen top 5 hits, twelve Number 1 singles and seven Number 1 albums with Take That. He is also a six-time recipient of the Ivor Novello Award and has sold over 50 million records worldwide. He was appointed an OBE in 2012 for services to music and charity.
Barlow's solo career was predicted to be very successful, being described as 'the next George Michael'. His first two solo singles "Forever Love" (released July 1996) and "Love Won't Wait" (composed by Madonna and Shep Pettibone) both leapt to the number one spot in his home country. "Forever Love" was also used as the soundtrack to the film The Leading Man. His debut album "Open Road" reached number 1 in the UK Albums Chart and went on to sell 2 million copies worldwide. Barlow's first single to be released in the United States as a solo artist was "So Help Me Girl", which reached number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number 1 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. He then achieved another top ten hit in the UK with "Open Road" peaking at number 7 and number 8 in the Netherlands with "Are You Ready Now".
After the success of his first solo album he released his second LP "Twelve Months, Eleven Days" in 1999. Barlow released "Stronger" as the lead single preceding the album. However, due to an expected backlash against Barlow, it received minimal support and airplay and only peaked at number 16. The second single "For All That You Want" again was subjected to minimal radio play and peaked at number 24, however it peaked just outside the top 5 in Finland. "Twelve Months, Eleven Days" was released soon after the first single to little promotion and peaked at a disappointing number 35, which led to Sony recalling Barlow's 'greatest' song according to critics, the scheduled third single from his second album "Lie to Me". This resulted in both Barlow and BMG parting company. To date Barlow has sold 5 million records worldwide as a solo artist.
On September 2013, Barlow announced via his Twitter account that he would be releasing his first full-length solo album in 14 years, on 25 November 2013. Barlow encouraged his followers and fans to tweet #GBSOLO to reveal the album artwork and title, with their profile pictures being used to create a collage of the album cover. On 4 October 2013, Barlow revealed his new album would be called "Since I Saw You Last", and would be preceded by his first single from the LP, titled "Let Me Go", released worldwide on 17 November 2013. He also announced that he would be touring the album in April 2014, playing some of the biggest arenas in the UK.
Let's Get Drunk
Gary Barlow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let a little time pass
Can't remember when I saw you last
But you look like no time has passed
You say you′ve had and lost some love
And life has been so rough
So come cry upon my shoulder
If things ever get too much
Just call me, get in touch, yeah
I don't ever wanna be that guy
Who makes promises honestly, then walks on by
We've known each other for eternity
So tonight let′s raise a glass to you and mе
Let′s get drunk
Let's stay out all night
Lеt′s get a little high
And blame it on life
For the sake of old times
Let's hit the dance floor
And laugh till it hurts
Let′s break into a church
Now it can be us
Until we find love
Come on, let's get drunk
Hands up, drink up, hands up, drink up
Mmm mmm
When we said goodbye to yesterday
How did it feel to walk away?
Do you carry regret?
Had time yet to reflect?
′Cause those times are now our history
How we survived's a mystery
Not easy to forget
Those years in retrospect, yeah
I don't ever wanna be that guy
You can only remember from our days gone by
Our friendship is in perpetuity
So tonight let′s say salut to you and me
Let′s get drunk, yeah
Let's stay out all night
Let′s get a little high
And blame it on life
For the sake of old times
Let's hit the dance floor, oh
And laugh till it hurts
Let′s break into a church
Now it can be us
Until we find love
Come on, let's get drunk
Let′s raise our glasses high
Raise them to the sky
From this world we say goodbye, bye, bye
Come on, let's paint the town
Get lost in the crowd
Just in time, 'cause the next round′s mine
Everyone, hands up
Everyone, hands up
Everyone, hands up, yeah
Everyone, hands up
Everyone, hands up
Everyone, hands up, oh
Let′s get drunk, yeah
And stay out all night
Let's get a little high
And blame it on life
For the sake of old times
Let′s hit the dance floor, yeah
And laugh till it hurts
Let's break into a church
Now it can be us
Until we find love
Come on, let′s get drunk
(Hands up, drink up, hands up, drink up)
Hands up
Hands up, drink up
Hands up, drink up, hands up (Drink up)
Let's get drunk, oh
Mmm mmm
Drink up
Mmm, hands up, drink up, hands up, drink up
In Gary Barlow's song "Let's Get Drunk," the lyrics revolve around the concept of finding solace and escape in the company of old friends and the indulgence of alcohol. The song portrays a reunion with a long-lost friend who has experienced hardship and lost love, and Barlow offers his support and empathy by suggesting they let loose and forget their troubles for a while through drinking and partying.
The first verse emphasizes the importance of companionship and reminiscing about the past. Barlow mentions that he can't remember the last time he saw his friend, but their reunion feels timeless, as if no time has passed between them. He acknowledges the struggles his friend has faced in love and life, and offers his shoulder to cry on, reminding them of his previous promise to be there for them during tough times.
In the chorus, Barlow firmly expresses his commitment to being a reliable friend who doesn't make empty promises. He wants to avoid being the kind of person who says one thing but doesn't follow through. Their friendship is portrayed as enduring and substantial, something that has lasted for eternity. They raise their glasses to toast their enduring connection and celebrate each other's presence.
The second verse reflects on their past and questions the emotions felt when they said goodbye to the past. Barlow wonders if his friend carries any regrets or has had time to reflect on their shared experiences. The years have become part of their shared history, and the fact that they have survived it all is seen as somewhat of a mystery. The memories are not easily forgotten as they look back on their journey together.
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the intent to indulge in drinking and partying to relive the good old times. It suggests that by getting drunk and letting loose, they can escape the burdens of life temporarily. They want to laugh until it hurts and defy social norms by joking about breaking into a church. The aim is to rediscover that carefree spirit and joy they once had until they find love again.
The bridge reassures that bidding farewell to the world and getting lost in the crowd is a way to paint the town red and fully embrace the moment. The mention of the next round being theirs implies that they will continue their revelry and prolong their journey of escapism.
In summary, "Let's Get Drunk" by Gary Barlow is a song that depicts the desire to reconnect with an old friend and escape the hardships of life through drinking and partying. It emphasizes the strength of their friendship and the need to let loose, laugh, and temporarily set aside their troubles. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and the joy of shared memories.
Line by Line Meaning
There's nothing like company, whisky glass
There's no better feeling than being in good company, with a glass of whisky in hand.
Let a little time pass
Let's take some time to relax and unwind.
Can't remember when I saw you last
I can't recall the last time we met.
But you look like no time has passed
However, you appear as if no time has gone by.
You say you've had and lost some love
You mention that you have experienced love and suffered its loss.
And life has been so rough
Life has been challenging for you.
So come cry upon my shoulder
Therefore, come lean on me and share your sorrows.
All those years ago I told you
Many years ago, I gave you this advice.
If things ever get too much
If life becomes overwhelming for you.
Just call me, get in touch, yeah
Simply reach out to me, and I'll be there for you.
I don't ever wanna be that guy
I never want to be the person
Who makes promises honestly, then walks on by
Who makes sincere promises but abandons them.
We've known each other for eternity
We've been acquainted for an extended period of time.
So tonight let's raise a glass to you and me
Therefore, this evening, let's celebrate and toast to our friendship.
Let's get drunk
Let's consume alcohol and have a good time.
Let's stay out all night
Let's spend the entire night outside.
Let's get a little high
Let's experience a slight euphoria.
And blame it on life
And attribute it to the ups and downs of life.
For the sake of old times
To reminisce about the past.
Let's hit the dance floor
Let's go dancing.
And laugh till it hurts
And laugh uncontrollably until it becomes painful.
Let's break into a church
Let's sneak into a church.
Now it can be us
Now we can do something adventurous.
Until we find love
Until we discover love in our lives.
Come on, let's get drunk
Come on, let's indulge in alcohol and have a good time.
When we said goodbye to yesterday
When we bid farewell to the past.
How did it feel to walk away?
How did it feel to leave everything behind?
Do you carry regret?
Do you hold any remorse?
Had time yet to reflect?
Have you had the opportunity to think it over?
'Cause those times are now our history
Because those moments are now part of our past.
How we survived's a mystery
It's incredible that we managed to make it through.
Not easy to forget
Not something that can be easily erased from memory.
Those years in retrospect, yeah
Looking back at those years now.
You can only remember from our days gone by
You can only recall it from our distant past.
Our friendship is in perpetuity
Our friendship will last forever.
So tonight let's say salut to you and me
Therefore, this evening, let's toast to both of us.
Let's raise our glasses high
Let's lift our glasses up in the air.
Raise them to the sky
Lift them towards the heavens.
From this world we say goodbye, bye, bye
We bid farewell to this world.
Come on, let's paint the town
Come on, let's enjoy the city nightlife.
Get lost in the crowd
Become immersed in the crowd of people.
Just in time, 'cause the next round's mine
Just at the right moment, as the next round of drinks is on me.
Everyone, hands up
Everyone, raise your hands.
Yeah
Yes
Let's get drunk, oh
Let's consume alcohol and have a good time.
Mmm mmm
Hmm hmm
Drink up
Finish your drink.
Mmm, hands up, drink up, hands up, drink up
Hmm, raise your hands, then finish your drink, and raise your hands again.
Hands up
Raise your hands.
Everyone, hands up
Everyone, raise your hands.
Everyone, hands up
Everyone, raise your hands.
Everyone, hands up, yeah
Everyone, raise your hands, yes.
Everyone, hands up
Everyone, raise your hands.
Everyone, hands up
Everyone, raise your hands.
Everyone, hands up, oh
Everyone, raise your hands, oh.
Let's get drunk, yeah
Let's consume alcohol and have a good time, yes.
And stay out all night
And spend the entire night outside.
Let's get a little high
Let's experience a slight euphoria.
And blame it on life
And attribute it to the ups and downs of life.
For the sake of old times
To reminisce about the past.
Let's hit the dance floor, yeah
Let's go dancing, yes.
And laugh till it hurts
And laugh uncontrollably until it becomes painful.
Let's break into a church
Let's sneak into a church.
Now it can be us
Now we can do something adventurous.
Until we find love
Until we discover love in our lives.
Come on, let's get drunk
Come on, let's indulge in alcohol and have a good time.
Writer(s): Gary Barlow, Lauren Deakin Davies, Ryan Carline
Contributed by Landon I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.