Thorogood cut his debut album titled Better Than the Rest in 1974, and released it that same year. In the autumn of 1976 he recorded his second album, the eponymous George Thorogood with his band, The Destroyers (sometimes also known as The Delaware Destroyers) and issued the album in 1977. Thorogood released his next album entitled Move It On Over in the autumn of 1978 with The Destroyers, which included the hit "Move It On Over" in 1978. "Please Set A Date" and "Who Do You Love" both followed in 1979.
During the 1980s, and 1990s, Thorogood recorded some of his most well known works, Bad To The Bone (used to great effect during the bar scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day), "I Drink Alone" (from his Maverick album), "You Talk Too Much", and "If You Don't Start Drinking, I'm Gonna Leave".
Thorogood is best known for his animated stage presence and loud, raucous electric guitar playing. He is also known as "Lonesome George".
If You Don't Start Drinkin'
George Thorogood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your sober wit
Tired of looking at you
Through an alcoholic haze
You better change
I'm begging you please
'Cause if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
I wake up in the morning
I'm under the roof
But I get no sympathy
Baby you're too aloof
You better change
Yes, I'm begging you please
'Cause if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
Budweiser, Budweiser, Miller Lite
Take a little nip baby it's alright
All a fellow wants is company
Come on baby have a taste with me
Yeah, you say it's alright baby
You don't care
But as soon as I indulge
I get that icy stare
You better change
I'm begging you please
'Cause if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
Don't give me no lectures
'Bout stress and strife
Soberiety
Just ain't my way of life
You better change
Yes, I'm begging you please
Well if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
Yeah, Budweiser, Budweiser, Miller Lite
Take a little nip baby it's alright
All a fellow wants is company
Come on baby have some fun with me
Yeah, you say it's alright baby
You don't care
But as soon as I indulge
I get that icy stare
You better change
Yes, I'm begging you please
'Cause if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
Well, if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
Yes, if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
The song "If You Don't Start Drinkin'" by George Thorogood and the Destroyers is a humorous take on the idea that alcohol is necessary for a relationship to thrive. The singer is tired of his partner's "sober wit" and "icy stare" when he drinks alone, and wants them to start drinking with him. He emphasizes that he doesn't want to hear lectures on the dangers of alcohol or the benefits of sobriety, and instead just wants to have fun with his partner. In the end, he warns that he will leave if his partner doesn't start drinking with him.
The lyrics are tongue-in-cheek and highlight the often-ridiculous idea that alcohol is necessary for social interaction or intimacy. While the song may be interpreted as an ode to reckless drinking, it is perhaps more accurately seen as a reflection of the drinking culture that values alcohol consumption as a measure of social likability or compatibility.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm tired of putting up
I'm exhausted from dealing with
With your sober wit
Your humor isn't as funny when you're not drinking
Tired of looking at you
I'm fed up with seeing you
Through an alcoholic haze
The drunk version of you is more enjoyable to be around
You better change
I need you to alter your behavior
I'm begging you please
I'm pleading with you
'Cause if you don't start drinkin'
If you don't start drinking alcohol
I'm gonna leave
I will end our relationship
I wake up in the morning
I get out of bed each day
I'm under the roof
I'm inside the house
But I get no sympathy
You don't understand my perspective
Baby you're too aloof
You're emotionally distant
Yes, I'm begging you please
I'm imploring you
Budweiser, Budweiser, Miller Lite
Brands of beer
Take a little nip baby it's alright
Have a small amount of alcohol, it's okay
All a fellow wants is company
I want your companionship
Come on baby have a taste with me
Try some alcohol with me
Yeah, you say it's alright baby
You claim it's fine
You don't care
You're indifferent
But as soon as I indulge
When I drink
I get that icy stare
You give me a cold glare
Don't give me no lectures
I don't want to hear criticism
'Bout stress and strife
About pressure and difficulties
Soberiety
Being sober
Just ain't my way of life
It's not how I choose to live
Well if you don't start drinkin'
If you continue to abstain from alcohol
I'm gonna leave
I will end our relationship
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GEORGE THOROGOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Thergothon1
Movies:
The Lost Weekend (1945)
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Married with Children (TV Series)
Barfly (1987)
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
The Shining (1980)
North by Northwest (1959)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Simpsons (TV Series)
Trainspotting (1996)
Father Ted (TV Series)
City Lights (1931)
Bad Santa (2003)
Wake in Fright (1971)
Factotum (2005)
The Horse Soldiers (1959)
@kevinnmartinez3633
I'm tired of putting up
With your sober wit
Tired of looking at you
Through an alcoholic haze
You better change
I'm begging you please
'Cause if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
I wake up in the morning
I'm under the roof
But I get no sympathy
Baby you're too aloof
You better change
Yes, I'm begging you please
'Cause if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
Budweiser, Budweiser, Miller Lite
Take a little nip baby it's alright
All a fellow wants is company
Come on baby have a taste with me
Yeah, you say it's alright baby
You don't care
But as soon as I indulge
I get that icy stare
You better change
I'm begging you please
'Cause if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
Don't give me no lectures
'Bout stress and strife
Soberiety
Just ain't my way of life
You better change
Yes, I'm begging you please
Well if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
Yeah, Budweiser, Budweiser, Miller Lite
Take a little nip baby it's alright
All a fellow wants is company
Come on baby have some fun with me
Yeah, you say it's alright baby
You don't care
But as soon as I indulge
I get that icy stare
You better change
Yes, I'm begging you please
'Cause if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
Well, if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
Yes, if you don't start drinkin'
I'm gonna leave
@Thergothon1
Movies:
The Lost Weekend (1945)
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Married with Children (TV Series)
Barfly (1987)
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
The Shining (1980)
North by Northwest (1959)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Simpsons (TV Series)
Trainspotting (1996)
Father Ted (TV Series)
City Lights (1931)
Bad Santa (2003)
Wake in Fright (1971)
Factotum (2005)
The Horse Soldiers (1959)
@74123698541564658468
Other clips too. x
@mateuszwojciechowki647
I Love you
@jamesrowan7501
father ted 2.43, from Ireland
@govetter
Yup. That'd be the Sunrise comin' UP!
@ryancontino9752
@purplinko he had to be just to keep up with Liz Taylor!
@stevesparta4995
Nothing gets me in the mood for drinking like some George Thorogood
@blainstutts473
You know your an alcoholic when hearing George Thorogood is a trigger.
@kristirollins983
Blain stutts I used to drink Coors light and Mike's hard lemonade , Miller lite what your favorite drink
@Mrcoconutgun
@@kristirollins983 Straight vodka