10 Best Drinking Songs For St. Patrick’s Day

St. Paddy’s Day is right around the corner, time to get your playlists ready! The only thing better than drinking good alcohol is drinking good alcohol with great music! If you can find a bar full of good spirits (human spirits, but the liquor-sort never really hurt either), that’s just icing on the cake. Not sure where to start? No worries! I’ve made a list of the ten best drinking songs that will, at the very least, get you started on what I believe to be the ultimate 10 drinking songs.

Now, some of these songs are of the Emerald Isle ilk. However, we’ve got a little more to offer than just that. This list is, mostly, for folks that like to rock out and headbang; people who like the harder stuff. Don’t worry; there’s a couple ballads mixed in there, for those who like the more contemplative song.

THE 10 BEST DRINKING SONGS:

10. Cold Gin by KISS - (Preview and buy here) Sometimes, some pipes and an acoustic guitar just isn’t enough. The kings of shock rock are not immune to the siren call of a cool gin. Definitely not a bar song, more like an arena or a stadium.

• Drinking lyric: Ooh, it’s cold gin time again, you know it’ll always win

9. The Night that Paddy Murphy Died by Fiddler’s Green – (Preview and buy here) This speed folk band from Germany gained a reputation for itself by playing Irish folk music. Hey, whatever works! They combine the barest essentials of rock with folk instruments. A great listen for those who can’t take the harder stuff. The song itself describes how life has been a non-stop drinking game since Paddy Murphy died.

• Drinking lyric: They said it was a sin and shame and they winked at one another, and every drink in the place was full the night Pat Murphy died

8. The Old Black Rum by Great Big Sea – (Preview and buy here) Well, the Canadian folk band claims it’s an “anti-drinking song,” but the listener has got to wonder why this guy drinks so much that he starts seeing the long-dead king and queen every night. Beware that black rum, it’s deadly stuff.

• Drinking lyric: And the old black rum’s got a hold on me, will I live for another day?

7. (F)lannigan’s Ball by the Dropkick Murphys – (Preview and buy here) The Celtic punk band took this traditional song about the greatest party ever thrown, Lannigan’s Ball, and turned it on its heels with over-driven guitars, pounding drums, and a bagpipe part that makes one wonder what sort of lung capacity is required to play it. Listen to the story of a party that, thanks to a bit of alcohol, soon gets out way too out of hand!

• Drinking lyric: The boys were hammered the girls were hearty, dancing around in couples and groups

6. Whiskey in the Jar by Thin Lizzy – (Preview and buy here) Thin Lizzy was probaby Ireland’s first hard/rock metal band. This is the most gentle song on the list; very heartfelt and a very sad song. Perfect for drowning your woes to! Metallica’s cover is better known, but the original can’t be beat. A classic!

• Drinking lyric: Being drunk and weary I went to Molly’s chamber…

5. Seven Deadly Sins by Flogging Molly – (Preview and buy here) The LA-based Irish folk punk band sings a sort of sea shanty, if those sailors were pirates. Gotta love the accordion in this song. In the search for freedom, the seven deadly sins (or drunken pirates) drink and raise a little hell. You know, in a whirling musical sort of way.

• Drinking lyric: The moon is full and so are we, we’re seven drunken pirates, we’re the seven deadly sins

4. One More Magic Potion by Ensiferum - (Preview and buy here) This one is definitely not for the sensitive of ear! Ensiferum, a growling viking/pagan heavy metal band, pays tribute to the almighty pint and its…erm, properties with this song. It’s fast-paced with driving blast beats, and probably the worse thing you could ever hear if you had a hangover!

• Drinking lyric: Grant us a drop from the life’s elixir, I want to drown all my misery.

3. Too Drunk to Fuck by the Dead Kennedys - (Preview and buy here) Hey, everyone has their limits, right? Make sure you know how far you can go without being gone. Otherwise, you’ll make some pretty bad mistakes…

• Drinking lyric: I’m rolling down the stairs, too drunk to fuck

2. Alcohol by Gogol Bordello – (Preview and buy here) Gogol Bordello are a gypsy punk band that deserves a lot more attention. Sometimes, it seems like your only friend in the world is the bottle. This song is, literally, a love ballad to the burning beverage.

• Drinking lyric: Now we reunite – alcohol, and forever be divine – alcohol

1. In the Court of Jarisleif by Turisas – (Preview and buy here) Turisas is viking metal band that boasts one of the best violin players I’ve ever heard. Their song about the ancient prince’s court ball is the kind of sound that reminds me of being on the brink of wasted; the room is spinning and you’re feeling pretty good. Good enough to tell your boss what you really think of him.

• Drinking lyric: May beer flow as long as we can stand on two, all the pretty girls, come, keep us warm!

I would like to end on a bit of a thoughtful note:

Bonus: Prince of Darkness by Megadeth – (Preview and buy here) The lyrics, when taken literally, tell about the basic evil nature of the devil. However, I’ve heard rumors that the song is a metaphor for alcohol and its negative effects on people, rich or poor, smart or stupid, young or old. Dave Mustaine, Megadeth’s frontman, would know a thing or two about the bottle; he’s about as well-known for his 16 attempts (in 16 years) to get clean as he is for his music!

• Drinking lyric: I take what you love, and leave you in tears

What do you think of the list? Leave us a comment to let us know!

Remember, readers: Have fun and BE SAFE!