Introduction:
If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will): A Heartbreak Ballad by George Jones
“If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will)” isn’t just a catchy title; it captures the raw pain and desperate escape a man seeks in the bottom of a glass. Released in 1981, the song became a beacon for George Jones’ career resurgence after a late-70s slump. But the song’s origins lie with songwriters Harlan Sanders and Rick Beresford.
Composed at a time when George Jones’ struggles with alcohol were well known, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man drowning his sorrows. The opening lines establish the scene: bars are closed, it’s past dawn, and the narrator, clearly intoxicated, stumbles home. The shame and despair seep through as he admits, “the whole neighborhood knows / That I’m home drunk again.”
This isn’t just a bender; it’s a desperate attempt to numb the pain of a lost love. The line “If drinkin’ don’t kill me, her memory will” becomes a haunting refrain. Each verse piles on the misery: the slow, deliberate steps towards the liquor cabinet, the empty bottles marking a failed attempt at forgetting.
The song resonated deeply with audiences. Released after Jones’ mega-hit “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me” reached number two on the country charts, solidifying Jones’ comeback. The song’s enduring popularity lies in its portrayal of heartbreak so profound, escape seems impossible – a sentiment that continues to resonate with listeners today.