Besides these two songs, five more of Montgomery's singles have reached the top of the country charts: "I Love the Way You Love Me", "Be My Baby Tonight", "If You've Got Love", "I Can Love You Like That", and "The Little Girl", while thirteen more have reached Top Ten. Montgomery's recordings of "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That" were both released concurrently with R&B versions by the group All-4-One. Montgomery has also released eleven studio albums, counting a Christmas album.
John Michael joined the family band (which also included his brother, Eddie Montgomery, who would later join Troy Gentry in the duo Montgomery Gentry) as guitarist before taking the lead singing role when his parents divorced. Afterwards, he made a frugal living on the local honky-tonk scene as a solo artist playing what he referred to as "working man's country." Eventually, Atlantic Records signed him.
Beer And Bones
John Michael Montgomery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Honey since I lost you
I ain't ate a bite
Since the night
That you said we're through
I walked to that jukebox to play
A few sad country songs
Hey that old boy
Ain't nothin' but beer and bones
I got to work this morning
Early this afternoon
Yeah my boss man nudged me
Said son I need to talk to you
You used to make me money
But lately I been taking a loss
Well he smelled my breath
Gave me what was left
Of the day off
I ain't nothin' but beer and bones
Honey since I lost you
I ain't ate a bite
Since the night
That you said we're through
I walked to that jukebox to play
A few sad country songs
I heard someone say
Hey that old boy
Ain't nothin' but beer and bones
Well I wish I could go home
And rest my weary head
But I know I'll just stay here
And have another beer instead
That little waitress asked me
Honey could you use some help
I said I thank you miss
I'll have to get through this
By my dang self
I ain't nothin' but beer and bones
Honey since I lost you
I ain't ate a bite
Since the night
That you said we're through
I walked to that jukebox to play
A few sad country songs
I heard someone say
Hey that old boy
Ain't nothin' but beer and bones
I heard someone say
Hey that old boy
Ain't nothin' but beer and bones
The lyrics of John Michael Montgomery's song "Beer and Bones" tell the story of a man who has hit rock bottom since losing his love. He is consumed by his sorrow and often drowns it with beer. The song’s opening line establishes the theme of the song as the singer laments that he is “nothing but beer and bones” since his partner left him. He hasn’t eaten anything since the night she said she was over, and he can’t seem to get over her.
He goes to work, but it's clear he's not himself lately, and he's not performing as he used to. His boss smells his breath and sends him home early because he's become a liability. The singer wishes he could go home and lie down, but he stays at the bar, drowning his sorrows with beer. A waitress offers to help him, but he's too consumed by his pain to accept her offer. Throughout the song, the singer’s reality is clear: he's a shell of his previous self, reduced to drowning his sorrows in alcohol.
Montgomery’s "Beer and Bones" is a poignant country tune that explores the effects of lost love and the pain of abandonment on a man. "Beer and Bones" is more than just a sad song - it’s a classic country weeper that has all the hallmarks of the genre, including catchy guitar riffs, strong melodies, and lyrics that evoke blue-collar struggles. It's a song that provides an outlet for those who are heartbroken, with lyrics that connect with listeners on a personal level.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't nothin' but beer and bones
I am depleted and hollow without you
Honey since I lost you
I ain't ate a bite
Since the night
That you said we're through
I am heartbroken and unable to eat since you left me
I walked to that jukebox to play
A few sad country songs
I sought solace in sad country songs from the jukebox as a way to deal with the pain of losing you
I heard someone say
Hey that old boy
Ain't nothin' but beer and bones
I overheard someone commenting on my appearance and pointing out that I am nothing but a shell of a man without you
My boss man nudged me
Said son I need to talk to you
You used to make me money
But lately I been taking a loss
Well he smelled my breath
Gave me what was left
Of the day off
My boss confronted me about my recent poor job performance, and smelling the alcohol on my breath, he gave me the rest of the day off
Well I wish I could go home
And rest my weary head
But I know I'll just stay here
And have another beer instead
Although I desire to go home and rest, I choose to numb my pain with more alcohol instead
That little waitress asked me
Honey could you use some help
I said I thank you miss
I'll have to get through this
By my dang self
When the waitress offered to help me, I declined and decided to face my struggles alone
Hey that old boy
Ain't nothin' but beer and bones
Again, I overhear someone commenting on my appearance and pointing out that I am nothing but a shell of a man without you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: SANGER SHAFER, LONZO WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind