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.
Drunkard's Prayer
John Michael Montgomery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I say, I'm sorry for all the things I'm not
I mean every word I say
And I promise I can change
When I get drunk and talk to God
When I talk to God, I tell Him why we're through
I tell Him all the things I did and didn't do
'Cause when I talk to God, I tell Him why we're through
I wish that I could go to church but I'm too ashamed of me
I hate the fact it takes a bottle to get me on my knees
And I hope He'll forgive the things you ain't forgot
When I get drunk and talk to God
When I talk to God I thank Him for the time
All those precious years that you were mine all mine
I know He's a busy man, He'll help me if He can
So when I talk to God, I thank Him for the time
I wish that I could go to church but I'm too ashamed of me
I hate the fact it takes a bottle to get me on my knees
And I hope He'll forgive the things you ain't forgot
When I get drunk and talk to God
Oh, when I get drunk and talk to God
The lyrics of John Michael Montgomery's song Drunkard's Prayer seem to be coming from a place of remorse, regret, and sadness. The singer of the song knows he has messed up and instead of facing his problems, he turns to alcohol and talks to God when he is drunk. He apologizes for all the things he is not and promises to change. He also tells God why his relationship has ended, taking responsibility for his actions and inaction. The lyrics show that he understands God can't fix everything and that he has to take responsibility for his actions. The singer thanks God for the time he had with his loved one but also expresses shame for not being able to go to church sober.
This song portrays the emotional struggle of someone who is seeking guidance and redemption, but doesn't know how. It shows the complexity of human emotions and the need for a higher power to provide solace and resonate with audiences who have faced similar struggles. The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has felt the need to reach out to a higher power when consumed by guilt or pain. In a way, the song can be interpreted as a reminder that redemption and forgiveness come from within, rather than from a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
When I get drunk and talk to God
The singer gets drunk and talks to God.
I say, I'm sorry for all the things I'm not
The singer apologizes to God for not being the person they wish they were.
I mean every word I say
The singer truly means what they say when talking to God.
And I promise I can change
The artist promises to make changes in their life.
When I talk to God, I tell Him why we're through
The artist discusses the reasons for their relationship being over with God.
I tell Him all the things I did and didn't do
The singer admits to their mistakes and missed opportunities.
I'll say I can't be alone, He'll say son you're on your own
The singer feels they can't be alone, but God tells them they need to handle things on their own.
'Cause when I talk to God, I tell Him why we're through
The artist repeats that discussing the end of their relationship is a common topic when they speak to God.
When I talk to God I thank Him for the time
The artist expresses gratitude to God for the time they had with someone they loved.
All those precious years that you were mine all mine
The artist reminisces about a time in their life when they had someone they cherished.
I know He's a busy man, He'll help me if He can
The singer recognizes that God is busy, but still hopes for help from a higher power.
So when I talk to God, I thank Him for the time
The artist reiterates their gratitude towards God for the time they had with their loved one.
I wish that I could go to church but I'm too ashamed of me
The singer feels too ashamed to attend church due to their struggles with alcoholism.
I hate the fact it takes a bottle to get me on my knees
The singer dislikes that they only feel the need to pray when they're drunk.
And I hope He'll forgive the things you ain't forgot
The singer hopes for forgiveness from God for their past mistakes and regrets.
When I get drunk and talk to God
The artist repeats that they talk to God when they're drunk.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Christopher Alvin Stapleton, Jameson Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind