Nerdy Pop: Themed Music: Drink! Drink! Drink!

In honor of the upcoming holiday that celebrates Irish heritage (but really celebrates and excuses insane drunkeness), I thought it fitting to provide the next music theme "Drink! Drink! Drink!" -- a theme comprised of songs about drinking. (Songs for a drinking atmosphere will later ensue.) This list will be heavy on Irish songs, as well as sea shanties, but it will inevitably encompass much more.

"Drink!", They Might Be Giants

Everybody's favorite band that they're afraid to admit is their favorite band, except for hipsters who say it in a completely ironic way and nerds who completely own up to it with pride, is They Might Be Giants. Their song "Drink!" might not make sense, but upon further analysis, it is just vague enough to provide multiple interpretations, but it seems to be about someone living loud on the weekends, becoming more than a wallpaper and drawing attention to themselves. All week you're ignored in your monkey suit, but when the weekend comes, you are a monkey. "Let's drink, drink this town is so great/Drink, drink cuz it's never too late!"

"Hey, Ho, to the Bottle I Go", Merry & Pippin
One of the best things about the Lord of the Rings movies is the songs coming to life. Good ole drinkin' songs...

"The Brew for the Brave and True", Merry & Pippin
And what fan doesn't know all the words to this drinking song? But in case you don't, they're on the video!

"This Party Took a Turn for the Douche", Garfunkel & Oates
This comedic duo always finds some good humor in everyday situations, especially those of the sexual and political kind. This song is one of my favorites, where they are enjoying a nice time, able to speak and enjoy some good music and good beer, when all of the sudden the bar is overrun by Ed-Hardy-wearing douches. Listen for good times and fantastically nerdy references and wonderful puns. Garfunkel and Oates are a nerd's dream team.

"We Irish", Dolly Parton
Dolly's already good for a laugh, and her fun-loving spirit shines through in her song about the Irish and their Bacchan nature. She even plays the tin whistle!

"The Dirty Glass", Dropkick Murphys

Though I'm not a huge Dropkick Murphys, or Celtic Punk fan, they do bring traditional Irish songs to a modern and different crowd. But once in a while, I'll hear their original songs, and I will fall in love. "The Dirty Glass" was the first one that made me do so. It's such a fun duet, and full of drunken anger during a couple's fight. There are some couples I love to watch fight, but this is certainly not one of them, as it gets very heated. BUT the song is entertaining...from a distance.

"Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced", Dropkick Murphys

With this one, I'm not as big of a fan, but it's a great song about drinking. It sure highlights the grossness of excess alcohol intake, but it, too, is entertaining, as when one drinks they are wont to exaggerate their awesomeness.

"Fairytale of New York", The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl

Classic song, covered worldwide now. The best part is that it doesn't have to be Chistmastime to enjoy it.

"This is the Life", Amy MacDonald

Amy MacDonald has taken the British Pop/Rock scene by storm with her fresh voice and modern point of view. "This is the Life" tells of the drunken adventures one could get into in a given night with no concern of where the night will take you and where you'll end up sleeping. When I'm off to get pissed, I like to listne to this song to get me excited.

"Here's a Health"/"Health to the Company"/"The Parting Glass", Traditional

This song speaks to me every time. By its origins, it is a song about those leaving Ireland to find a better life in America. But the parting of friends makes me appreciate every single time I'm with friends: "Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain/ For we may or might never all meet here again". The idea of possibly never seeing each other, especially the entire group all together makes me think of living every day to its fullest and appreciating what you have. Everyone drinking out of one mug is a symbol of unity, no matter what the distance between loved ones is. It's most beautifully done by Cara Dillon, The Wailin' Jennys, and Emer Kenny, giving a mournful, haunting tone to the piece.

"Black Velvet Band", Traditional

The song entails a drunken man fooled by a beautiful thief-woman, only to be accused of thievery himself because of it. His sentence is to be shipped to Van Diemen's Land, Australia, as often sang about in Irish folk tunes.

"Drunken Sailor", Traditional

No introduction necessary.

"Derelict (Captain Billy Bones, his song)", Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island)/Young E. Allison

Four of the song's lines were originally from the novel Treasure Island, but it was taken and turned into a full lyrical poem by Young E. Allison. Allison's poem was then set to music for a 1901 musical, based off Treasure Island. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a version I enjoyed on youtube, so suffer that.

"The Scotsman", Mike Cross

A hilarious tune about a drunken Scotsman (the best and possibly only kind)

"Auld Lang Syne", Traditional/Collected by Robert Burns

Though this is usually sung every year on New Year's by somebody, not many really know what the Scots words mean. But "Auld Lang Syne" ("Old Long Since") is reminiscent of "The Parting Glass" in that it toasts to friendships and family, looks to the good memories from yesteryear.

"Bully in the Alley", Traditional

A song about being too drunk "bully" and being left in an alley until the ship leaves again, Bounding Main performs this with perfection with a fun tone and sing-songy melody.