Introduction:
In the landscape of country music, Toby Keith stands tall as a singer-songwriter who champions the working class. This spirit of blue-collar pride resonates throughout his discography, and perhaps no song captures this sentiment quite like “Get Drunk and Be Somebody”. Released in 2005 as the lead single for his album “White Trash with Money”, the track became an instant anthem for those who toiled away during the week, yearning for a taste of freedom on the weekends.
Toby Keith, a native Oklahoman, rose to prominence in the early 1990s with his blend of traditional country sounds and rebellious, everyman lyrics. “Get Drunk and Be Somebody” perfectly encapsulates this signature style. The song’s driving rhythm section and twangy guitars create a distinctly country soundscape, while Keith’s gruff vocals deliver a relatable narrative about the frustrations and joys of the working week.
The mastermind behind the production of “Get Drunk and Be Somebody” is Scott Borchetta. Borchetta, who would later find immense success as the founder of Big Machine Records, was a rising star in the country music production scene at the time. His work on the song emphasizes Keith’s vocals and the song’s catchy melody, creating a radio-friendly package that resonated with a wide audience.
“Get Drunk and Be Somebody” proved to be a massive commercial success. The song peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, showcasing its connection with country music listeners. However, its impact transcended genre. The relatable themes of workaday struggles and weekend liberation resonated with a broader audience, propelling the song onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart where it reached a respectable number 42.
Beyond chart success, “Get Drunk and Be Somebody” left a lasting impression on popular culture. The song became a go-to anthem for working-class gatherings, with its catchy chorus – “Weekends here, good God Almighty, let’s get drunk and be somebody” – echoing in bars and social events across the country. Its presence was also felt in media, with the song being featured in several television shows and commercials.
The legacy of “Get Drunk and Be Somebody” endures. The song remains a staple in Toby Keith’s live performances, generating enthusiastic crowd singalongs wherever he goes. More importantly, it continues to resonate with listeners who find solace and a sense of shared experience in its depiction of the everyday struggles and weekend celebrations of the working class. “Get Drunk and Be Somebody” stands as a timeless anthem, a testament to the power of country music to capture the essence of American life.
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Lyrics:
Yeah, the big boss man, he likes to crack that whipI ain’t nothing but a number on his time card slipI give him 40 hours and a piece of my soulPuts me somewhere at the bottom of his totem poleHell, I don’t even think he knows my nameHey, all week long I’m a real nobodyBut I just punched out and it’s paycheck FridayWeekend’s here, good God almightyI’m going to get drunk and be somebody (somebody)Yeah, yeah, yeahMy baby cuts hair at a beauty boutiqueJust blowing and going ’til she dead on her feetThey walk right in and sit right downShe gives them what they want, and she spins them aroundHey, I don’t think they even know her nameAll week long, she’s a real nobodyBut I just picked her up, and it’s paycheck FridayWeekend’s here, good God almightyBaby, let’s get drunk and be somebody (somebody)Yeah, yeah, yeahWe’re just average people, in an everyday barDriving from work in our ordinary carsAnd I like to come here with regular JoesDrink all you want, be the star of the showAll week long, bunch of real nobodiesBut we just punched out and it’s paycheck FridayWeekend’s here, good God almightyPeople, let’s get drunk (let’s get drunk)All week long we’re some real nobodiesBut we just punched out, it’s paycheck FridayWeekend’s here, good God almightyPeople, let’s get drunk and be somebody (let’s get drunk)Yeah, yeah, yeah