Friday, March 06, 2009

The Loser's Lounge

The drinking life isn't all glamour.

Today's selections take a look at the down-but-not-quite-yet-out side of the life inside an imaginary tavern called "The Loser's Lounge," circa 1970. The first, recorded by Dick Curless, comes from the bartender's perspective. Dick's sneering character has seen the same story play out time and time again. Bottom line: No matter what they order, they all end up the same...

Dick Curless – Loser's Cocktail (buy album)

The second, recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis, comes from the other side of the bar. Here, our protagonist knows that he probably shouldn't be in that place, but every time he starts to leave they play another song, and then someone buys another round, and, well, you know the rest of the story. . .

Jerry Lee Lewis - What's Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out Of Me) (buy album)

The Jerry Lee song probably has the funniest title in the history of country music. And that's saying something.

For today's drink selections, I recommend a whiskey sour with the first tune followed by a delicious can of Schlitz for the second.

4 comments:

Dave said...

Thrilled to see you used my song suggestion but of course, it was an obvious choice as a truly classic drinking song.

For the benefit of non US readers/listeners, Schlitz (whose slogan was 'The beer that made Milwaukee famous') was for a long time the second best selling beer in the country until a series of bad business decisions nearly put them out of business in the 70's. Also for a long while the city of Milwaukee had the reputation of the number one brewing city in the country.

For the benefit of beer appreciators, Schlitz was/is just another tasteless light American lager - good on a hot summer day but basically water with a head on it. Our auto industry may be going down the drain and there are many other problems but at least we've started brewing good beers over the last 25 years. That's something worth waving the flag about;)
Dave

Matt.H said...

'Loser's Cocktail' is a great drinking song. So triumphuntally upbeat and celebratory in it's depiction of the inevitable demise of the baroom bum as he takes his place at the bar yet again.
'What made Milwakee' famous is a great song too.I have an album of country classics by Jerry Lee Lewis and it's one of my favourite country collections.

Anonymous said...

Warm Red Wine Ernest Tubb

Anonymous said...

Does that old Schlitz ad imply it's something other than beer, or is it just me?