From a shot and a beer in a bluesy ballad to a Crystal-sippin rap mogul, the relationship between music and alcohol has always been as smooth as a well-mixed cocktail. This article won’t be an in-depth history of alcoholic beverage references in music, but rather a light-hearted look at some of the most renowned drops in pop music. We’ll be groovin through the most celebrated verses where the lyrics are as intoxicating as the brands themselves.
Pouring Out a Musical Toast
The intertwining of music and libations isn’t new. We can find references as far back as the ’20s, where gin was the nectar of choice during Prohibition. It was also celebrated in the iconic tune, “Gin and Juice” by Snoop Dogg. The ‘60s and ‘70s audience could identify with Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” album and its references to Chateau Marmont, or the Beatles’ nod to Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit’ and “feed your head”, a not-so-subtle reference to drinking alcohol and using drugs.
Fast-forward to modern times where we’ve got pop albums loaded with liquor mentions and trendy drinking joints playing songs that glorify the bar experience and the brands behind the counter. Think songs like “Tequila” by Dan + Shay or “Red Red Wine” by UB40, which continue to keep the party going decades after their release. You’ll find mentions of everything from Bud to Dom P!
The Top Shelf of References
Recent pop songs are veritable goldmines of brand mentions. We’re talking about tunes that name-drop everything from bubbly champagne to the strongest spirits. There’s no denying the power of product placement when artists make brands like Patron, Hennesy, and Grey Goose sound like poetry.
It’s not just about the party, though. In the more dramatic scenes of love and loss, whiskey brands like Jameson and Jack Daniel’s come into play, with their references adding a layer of authenticity to those ‘hell hath no fury like a scorned lover’ ballads.
The Ripple Effect on Brands and Fans
Musical references have a magical way of turning a mere product into an experience, and brands into characters. When P!nk sang about getting “this party started on a Saturday night, everybody’s waiting for me to arrive, sending out the message to all of my friends, we’ll be looking flashy in my Mercedes Benz,” she wasn’t just singing about a car – she was alluding to an entire lifestyle associated with luxury and fun.
Brands blessed with shoutouts in hit songs often see a spike in public interest and sales, especially if they’re part of a catchy chorus or a memorable verse. It’s a win-win for the musicians (who can potentially earn from such affiliations) and the brands (getting free advertising and a cool factor by association). At the same time, fans feel a personal connection to the lyrics, which translates to a sense of loyalty towards the celebratory spirits and fills the air with karma that benefits all.
All in all, the spirit in popular music and the music in popular spirits is a timeless dance of marketing, art, and culture. As long as there are songs and sips, these two worlds will continue to intertwine, harmonising with each beat and every glug. Whether or not you partake, these references in pop music are just another way that the industry raises a glass to great storytelling which, after all, never goes out of style.
