Birthday Drinks
Alex Wilson
Description
A rowdy, heartwarming barroom two-step celebrating life's milestones and everyday joys. Alex Wilson's Kentucky baritone voice shines over a brisk shuffle tempo (~128 BPM) driven by twangy Telecaster riffs, barrelhouse piano, and a walking upright bass. The chorus explodes with fiddle counter-melodies over steel guitar pads and gang vocals chanting the title hook, creating a singalong atmosphere. The verses maintain a lean, rootsy feel with rimclicks and acoustic strumming, while the bridge offers a poignant reflection on cherished memories and hopeful futures. The production aims for a live-in-the-room feel, capturing the warm, slightly overdriven lead vocal amidst the wood, glass, and buzzing neon of a honky-tonk.
Lyrics
Verse 1 Screen door slaps on a neon night, jukebox coughing up a nickel tune. Paper crown from the lost-and-found, leaning sideways like a harvest moon. Bartender grins, says, “Name your wish,” writes it crooked on a chalkboard sign. Friends roll in like a summer storm, and every laugh says, “Boy, it’s time.” Pre-Chorus Phone’s lit up, boots line up, somebody hollers, “Make it clink!” If you love me, don’t you tell me— show me with another drink. Chorus Birthday drinks—line ’em up on the bar like candlelight, let the good times run and the bad times take the night. Raise that glass to the ones we lost and the ones we ain’t met yet, to the wrong turns, right songs, no-regret sunsets. If the world keeps spinning, we’ll keep singing till the neon blinks— tonight I’m counting blessings, not years—just birthday drinks. Verse 2 Old man Earl’s in his Sunday hat, two-steppin’ like he’s twenty-two. New girl laughs at the way I dance, says, “Son, I hope your wish comes true.” Someone’s mama brought a peach pie ’round, some kid’s carving dates in the window seat. Whole town turns to a chorus line when the shuffle finds a steady beat. Pre-Chorus Phone’s lit up, boots line up, somebody hollers, “Make it clink!” If you love me, don’t you tell me— show me with another drink. Chorus Birthday drinks—line ’em up on the bar like candlelight, let the good times run and the bad times take the night. Raise that glass to the ones we lost and the ones we ain’t met yet, to the wrong turns, right songs, no-regret sunsets. If the world keeps spinning, we’ll keep singing till the neon blinks— tonight I’m counting blessings, not years—just birthday drinks. Bridge Here’s to first loves, broke-down trucks, payday Fridays, second chances, stubborn luck. Here’s to porch swings, county lines, cheap guitars that saved our lives. Blow that wish across my lips, let the sparks fall where they may— if joy’s a tab we never close, put it on me anyway. Instrumental Break (8 bars): Telecaster solo with Fiddle backing Chorus Birthday drinks—line ’em up on the bar like candlelight, let the good times run and the bad times take the night. Raise that glass to the ones we lost and the ones we ain’t met yet, to the wrong turns, right songs, no-regret sunsets. If the world keeps spinning, we’ll keep singing till the neon blinks— tonight I’m counting blessings, not years—just birthday drinks. Tag So light me up another wish and let the glasses clink— I’m only getting older in the best way: birthday drinks.