A graduate of St. Andrew's School, Wainwright is best known for a 1972 novelty song hit Dead Skunk (in the Middle of the Road), with pianist Teddy Wender and for playing Captain Spalding (the "singing surgeon") on three episodes of the American television show M*A*S*H in its third season (1974-1975), but his musical reputation is much deeper. Using a witty, self-mocking style, Wainwright has recorded over twenty albums on eleven different labels. Two of his albums have been nominated for Grammy awards.
He is also a regular actor in Judd Apatow movies. His biggest role was playing the father on Judd's show, Undeclared.
In 2012 his latest offering Older Than My Old Man Now was released.
Official website : http://www.lwiii.com/
Drinking Song
Loudon Wainwright III Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drunk men swear and that's not all
Quite often they will urinate outdoors
Like widowed women, drunk men weep
Like children curled up, drunk men sleep
Like a dog, a drunk will crawl around on all fours
His dinner be it bread or cake
His beverage be the worse of whiskey, finest wine
Puke it stinks and so it seems
That drunkards go to great extremes
But there has yet to be a perfectly straight line
Drunks talk strong when drunks are weak
It's easy for a drunk to speak
Straight from the heart
Yeah, drunks will fight they're not afraid
To kiss the mistress and make the maid
It's a manly art
Oh but big toll will take
Blood vessels in nose will break
Bags beneath the eyes, another sign
Drunks get ugly, so it seems
That drunkards go to great extremes
But there has yet to be a perfectly straight line
Drunks are friendly when they're drunk and
Drunks are hostile when they're drunk
Which drunk it is, it all depends upon
When drunks aren't drunk, they thirst for drink
And the elephants are grey, not pink
And the drink evaporates the man is gone, gone, gone, gone
Back to the yachts and the subway cars
To the hip-flasks and fruit jars
Flat on the face and flat on the behind
Oh, drunks get drunk and so it seems
That drunkards go to great extremes
But there has yet to be a perfectly straight line
Straight line
Straight line
The lyrics of Loudon Wainwright III's song, "Drinking Song," are a sober reflection on the realities of alcoholism. The song describes the behavior of drunk men, including falling, swearing, and urinating outdoors. The vast range of emotions displayed under the influence of alcohol, including weeping like widowed women, sleeping like curled-up children, or crawling like dogs, is also highlighted. Wainwright juxtaposes the behavior of a broke bum or rich rake, one with bread or cake for dinner, and the other, the finest whiskey or wine for a beverage, to emphasize the universality of alcoholism.
The song then depicts the physical and psychological toll that alcohol takes on the human body, including broken blood vessels in the nose, bags beneath the eyes, and other physical appearances. Drunks, according to the song, are friendly or hostile, and they kiss the mistress or make the maid anytime they want. However, they also get ugly, and their behavior reaches great extremes. Nevertheless, despite all of this, there is yet to be a perfectly straight line when it comes to alcoholism.
The song's message highlights the adverse effects and the uncontrolled nature of alcoholism, along with the inability of many people to overcome it. It also shows that alcoholism can affect anyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, and how it can alter the behavior of even the strongest and fearless men.
Line by Line Meaning
Drunk men stagger, drunk men fall
Intoxicated individuals sway and topple over.
Drunk men swear and that's not all
Inebriated males use profanity and other objectionable language.
Quite often they will urinate outdoors
Frequently, they will relieve themselves in public spaces.
Like widowed women, drunk men weep
Intoxicated males sob like bereaved females.
Like children curled up, drunk men sleep
Drunk male adults slumber in a fetal position, similar to young kids.
Like a dog, a drunk will crawl around on all fours
Intoxicated individuals move on their hands and knees, much like canines.
Be he broke bum or rich rake
Whether indigent or wealthy, it makes no difference.
His dinner be it bread or cake
No matter the sustenance, whether simple or extravagant.
His beverage be the worse of whiskey, finest wine
Whether consuming subpar or top-quality beverages.
Puke it stinks and so it seems
Vomit emits a foul odor and consequently, suggests a negative connotation.
That drunkards go to great extremes
Intoxicated individuals engage in excessive behavior.
But there has yet to be a perfectly straight line
However, their actions are not necessarily linear, reflecting inconsistency.
Drunks talk strong when drunks are weak
Alcohol impairs decision-making and inhibitions, leading to bravado.
It's easy for a drunk to speak
It comes naturally for inebriated individuals to talk, even without much sense or reason.
Straight from the heart
Their sentiments are genuine, heartfelt, and passionate.
Yeah, drunks will fight they're not afraid
Intoxicated individuals tend to engage in violent behavior without apprehension or fear.
To kiss the mistress and make the maid
They may engage in infidelity or promiscuity.
It's a manly art
This behavior is viewed as macho or masculine.
Oh but big toll will take
However, the impact on their physical and mental health is substantial.
Blood vessels in nose will break
The small capillaries in their nose will often rupture.
Bags beneath the eyes, another sign
Dark circles under the eyes are another indicator of the cumulative physical toll.
Drunks get ugly, so it seems
Inebriated individuals are often unattractive.
That drunkards go to great extremes
Intoxicated individuals engage in excessive and unconventional behavior.
But there has yet to be a perfectly straight line
However, their behavior can be erratic and unpredictable.
Drunks are friendly when they're drunk and
Intoxicated individuals tend to behave amicably.
Drunks are hostile when they're drunk
However, they can become aggressive and antagonistic under the influence.
Which drunk it is, it all depends upon
The behavior exhibited is dependent on the individual.
When drunks aren't drunk, they thirst for drink
When sober, individuals with alcohol dependency crave a drink.
And the elephants are grey, not pink
The world is perceived as it is, not as it appears under the influence.
And the drink evaporates the man is gone, gone, gone, gone
Alcohol consumption leads to a temporary loss of self.
Back to the yachts and the subway cars
After drinking, they return to their usual surroundings.
To the hip-flasks and fruit jars
They continue to drink, using portable containers as well.
Flat on the face and flat on the behind
They fall down in a prone position, whether face-first or flat on their backside.
Oh, drunks get drunk and so it seems
Intoxicated individuals continue to drink to excess.
That drunkards go to great extremes
Being under the influence leads to unconventional behavior and decisions.
But there has yet to be a perfectly straight line
Their behavior is often inconsistent and unpredictable.
Straight line
A perfectly linear and level approach is difficult, if not impossible, under the influence of alcohol.
Contributed by Mila R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.