After one of the biggest debuts for a male country artist ever, Sam Hunt faced a lot of questions. One of the biggest ones? When do we get new music? The star released Montevallo in October 2014, and the always impatient public wanted more.
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When Hunt released "Drinkin' Too Much" via SoundCloud on New Year's Eve 2017, it wasn't necessarily what fans expected. The song gets perhaps even more personal than any of the others on his debut album. That's because it directly addresses the girl who inspired most of the songs off his first record, Hannah Lee Fowler.
"I'm sorry I named the album Montevallo," Hunt sings. Or, says, rather, since he mostly talks in his songs now. "I'm sorry people know your name now, and strangers hit you up on social media." You're probably wondering, "Where is he going with this?" Listen further.
Honestly, it's always refreshing to hear somebody sing something so obviously personal. Of course, that's a double-edged sword for Hunt. On the one hand, he apologizes for making Fowler the subject of gossip and unwanted attention. On the other, he just does it again.
But hey, art should be provocative. And Hunt did win Fowler's hand in marriage in the end, so if this tune seems exploitative to some, it's clearly not exploitative to the only person who matters.
However, at some point, when you just talk it out into a microphone, you're kind of taking a shortcut. There's no doubt Hunt is talented. He has a strong connection with his fans, and he's achieved success in the genre without changing who he is. But at some point, he's going to have to write melodies for his verses too. It's a heck of a lot easier to talk some lyrics and make them fit. It betrays Hunt's talent to keep taking the shortcut in the name of "style."
But, understanding the personal toll this record -- and his success -- took on Hunt certainly makes you feel for him more. Regardless of what you think of his brand of country music, he's creating something that comes from an undeniably real place. And that's always welcome.
"Drinkin' Too Much" Lyrics
Oh, I drink and take a sip of it
Feelin' like a hypocrite
Go for more and I don't give a shit
I never used to talk, I never used to talk like this
I'm sorry I named the album 'Montevallo'
And I'm sorry people know your name now
And strangers hit you up on social media
I'm sorry you can't listen to the radio
And drive out to the place we used to get peaches down in Pelham
I know you want your privacy
And you've got nothing to say to me
But I wish you'd let me pay off your student loans
To these songs you gave to me
'Member the first time you stayed with me?
Overpacked, and drove up, and went to the CMA's with me
Two years later, it felt like you were a million miles away from me
And I was the one on stage, drunk
Barely holdin' on, on ABC
Hope your dad still prays for me
Drinkin' too much, drinkin' too much
Since you been gone, I can't get gone enough
I'm on top of the world, I'm going down
I'm gonna drink it all 'til you're not around
Drinkin' too much, drinkin' too much
Since you been gone, I can't get gone enough
I'm on top of the world, I'm going down
I'm gonna drink it all 'til you're not around
A year ago I was in a hotel room in Pheonix
Wonderin' if it's ever OK to lie
Cause I knew the truth would make you wanna die
But i told you everything, and you told me to have a good life
But you still couldn't believe it was really goodbye
Every night you'd fill the bathtub up
Lie there for hours, put your face under water, and cry
I never wanted to be a heartbreaker
Turn your sisters and friends into matchmakers
I know you think my dreams came true
Since you been gone
Singin' these songs are just something to do
Every dream I ever had was you
Hope you know I'm still in love
It's the kind you can't fall out of
Drinkin' too much, drinkin' too much
Since you been gone, I can't get gone enough
I'm on top of the world, I'm going down
I'm gonna drink it all 'til you're not around
Drinkin' too much, drinkin' too much
Since you been gone, I can't get gone enough
I'm on top of the world, I'm going down
I'm gonna drink it all 'til you're not around
I know this might seem like a contradiction
The last thing you need is more unwanted attention
But you changed your number, and moved
And this is the only way I could reach you
So wherever you are, turn it up and listen
Hannah Lee, I'm on my way to you
Nobody can love you like I do
I don't know what I'm gonna say to you
But i know there ain't no way, I know there ain't no way
No there ain't no way we're through
