Song Review – Justin Moore’s “You Look Like I Need A Drink”
All across the fruited plain of America and beyond there are thousands and thousands of people that when they hear a modern country song, they shudder and wonder just what the hell has happened to the music they once loved; the music their parents and grandparents listened to. You know, REAL country music . . . like Justin Moore . . . they tell themselves.
When it comes to mainstream fans, Music Row has perfected how to get them coming and going. For every Sam Hunt, there’s a performer like Justin with his 100,000-watt accent and massive Stetson perched atop his tiny head to assure you this is REAL country baby. Justin Moore tells his crowds every night that he’s too country for Nashville and he’s alienated and ostracized due to his twang, while the label that signs his checks is the same as Florida Georgia Line’s and Taylor Swift’s.
The worst part about Justin’s new single “You Look Like I Need A Drink” is Justin Moore. But if you put aside all biases and butthurt feelings about the time Justin tried to convince everyone he was an Outlaw and just be honest about it, this new single is not horrible.
“You Look Like I Need A Drink” is mostly built upon a dumb dad joke done by switching words around, but so are a lot of old country songs that would be counted as standards today. A war of attrition has led us to the point where if a song is actually tracked in a studio by human beings playing instruments that we take it as a victory, and twangy electric guitars feel like the nostalgic sound of yesteryear, similar to how the steel guitar once did.
“You Look Like I Need A Drink” even a has an inkling of a “story” I dare say if you listen closely. It’s about a girl coming over to tell a guy something she doesn’t want to say, and he doesn’t want to hear, instead of a quip some guy says in a bar when a hot babe walks through the door. Despite the upbeat tone of the music, it’s a song about heartbreak. If nothing else, “You Look Like I Need A Drink” passes the “I wouldn’t change the channel if it came on” test.
Still most of what we’re doing here is selling Budweiser, and much of the wit of “You Look Like I Need A Drink” can be garnered by simply reading the title. Written by Rodney Clawson, Matt Dragstrem, and Natalie Hemby, you can tell a committee came up with this. Perhaps we’ve finally purged the tailgate references from mainstream country, but building songs around beer references is going to be a much bigger uphill battle.
Left and right it appears Nashville’s major labels are retooling with traditional country (or traditional sounding) artists for this post-Stapleton country music reality that may be about to hit them in the face, but Big Machine thinks they’ve already got one in Justin. And let’s not downplay that officially this is a lead single from Justin’s yet-to-be-named new album, and compared to what lead singles usually sound like these days, you can’t be too judgmental on what Justin is offering up here.
Oh the poor bastards who live in a country music world where this is the best they’re ever offered. But even to the true country perspective, it’s tough to call this terrible.
Nash Fargoâ„¢
February 22, 2016 @ 9:51 am
Same O Same O Nashville genre sound. zzzzz
ElectricOutcast
February 22, 2016 @ 9:59 am
Hell the voice is just corny and flat
learning lap steel
February 22, 2016 @ 10:00 am
I wish my fridge’ was that clean.
John Dowling
February 22, 2016 @ 1:19 pm
Lol. Mine sure ain’t
Smokey J.
February 22, 2016 @ 10:14 am
Agree with the assessment that this is not a terrible country-rocker. Moore’s voice isn’t even quite as annoying on this as usual, though it’s still hard for me to get past. Still utterly forgettable, but not a rage-stroker.
WestPenRedneck
February 22, 2016 @ 10:19 am
Most music fits a time, place or a mood. While Johnny Cash is a favorite of mine, I can’t throw on “Where We’ll Never Grow Old” on a Friday night over a few drinks with friends.
Granted, some of my absolute favorite songs will resonate deeply, others are just good ‘ole romps. And this tune, while simple, is quite fun. It fits a party.
Nice review!
Hunter
February 22, 2016 @ 10:22 am
I saw him preform in Harrisburg pa a week or two ago. He played some songs I haven’t heard yet maybe from the new album but they were decent. Almost reminded me of Cody johnsons album. And if that’s the direction we’re heading in I can’t help but root for the guy.
Summer Jam
February 22, 2016 @ 5:15 pm
Shit he was performing in Harrisburg? I live right outside of Harrisburg and had no idea. I know he visited WGTY and did an interview with them but I didn’t know he was performing as well….makes me upset!
Hunter
February 22, 2016 @ 7:12 pm
At the farm show for the outdoor show. He was with locash I didn’t even watch them
Nick Brown
February 28, 2016 @ 9:27 am
I just saw locash for the first time on CMT. Very bland, boring and been done to death. They sounded like 95% of the new acts, just the same thing different name.
I’ve even noticed my local country radio station DJ’s complaining on air about how everything now sounds the same.
gbkeith
February 23, 2016 @ 4:28 pm
Between this song and a Cody Johnson comparison, I think I can give Moore a solid, wholehearted “meh.”
Ronald
February 22, 2016 @ 10:22 am
I am a regular visitor to this site. I usually check it several times of day. As a huge country fan I love this site and the new artists I learn about. One thing I have noticed in the comment section is if it has anything to do with mainstream country everyone is critical. I grew with 90s country and I hate where country is now but I am still open to the stuff of today. This song is not great but it is getting back in the right direction. So far everyone that is so critical listen again. This is not a Sam Hunt FGL type song but its not a game changer either. I agree with Trigger. This is not bad.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
February 22, 2016 @ 10:33 am
Pure throwback nineties right here. And that guitar part is downright funky (snaps fingers.)
And when was the last time we’ve heard a new song that drops some of the accompaniment for the closing chorus? It’s refreshing.
Lyrics are unremarkable, and this is definitely not a song that was designed to make a statement, but the lyrics aren’t infuriating.
Not Justin Moore’s best, but far and away an improvement over the usual quality of a lead single.
Razor X
February 22, 2016 @ 10:38 am
Is this what is meant by the phrase “damned by faint praise”? 😉
Ron
February 22, 2016 @ 10:39 am
Not the worst but I can’t believe it takes 3 people to write a song like this. John Prine has written a bunch of word play songs better than this one by himself.
A question, is there anyone in mainstream Nashville that writes most of their own songs?
Trigger
February 22, 2016 @ 10:42 am
Alan Jackson. Kacey Musgraves writes all of her own songs, but every one of them has two or three co-writers.
Orgirl1
February 23, 2016 @ 9:35 pm
I was so disappointed to hear that Kacey Musgraves had co-writers on Pageant Material. I love that record, but I am realllllly missing the individual voice. It’s also disappointing that she co-wrote with a guy. A song like Pageant Material would have had a different feel if she had written it alone, I’m certain.
Spencer
February 22, 2016 @ 1:25 pm
Kip Moore writes all of his own songs. He has co writers on most of them, but he is the primary songwriter on his CDs. Jon Pardi I believe writes most of his own stuff. Chris Janson wrote or cowrote every song on his Buy Me A Boat CD. There are a number who do, but most end up with co-writers who take some credit.
Hayley
February 22, 2016 @ 4:48 pm
I write with two people, once a month in Nashville; then alone here in tx. Collaborating can be magical when a story is filtered thru 3 different perspectives. Sounds corny but its true. I also trust that my cowriters will respect my taste and not try to change my sound. When I write alone it feels like therapy or an ass kicking lol so it’s nice to get in someone else’s head once in awhile 🙂
Hayley
February 22, 2016 @ 4:55 pm
I decided to make writing more than a hobby less than a year ago; so Im not mainstream, or any stream, as of yet 😉 just thought I’d share my experience so far.
Trigger
February 22, 2016 @ 5:24 pm
I don’t think co-writers are inherently a bad thing. Some songwriters need co-writers. What is bad is the culture of only allowing major label-signed artists to cut songs from established songwriters working in groups of three.
Hayley
February 22, 2016 @ 5:43 pm
Yep. Then we’re all force fed on repeat.
Hopefully the wave that’s happening on the artist side can ripple into giving new writers a shot!
Orgirl1
February 23, 2016 @ 9:28 pm
Despite what I wrote below, I do like when artists collaborate with other artists sometimes, for example Sweet by and by, I love that song (Miranda Lambert and Brent Cobb). However, the whole committee thing of “let’s go write a song today!” makes me want to puke. Thus, watered-down crap. Less is more, or rather, too many chefs spoil the soup.
Orgirl1
February 23, 2016 @ 9:09 pm
Not a fan of the song by committee. It may be fun for the songwriters, but for the listener it sounds too watered down. Writing by yourself, in any medium, takes courage. It takes backbone. It takes a spine. It means you have something to say. It requires huge strength because you are also being vulnerable at the same time. Writing by committee is a cop out. Not only do ideas get watered down, but the song has no bravery to it. It has no strength. Country is supposed to be about celebrating the individual. How can you celebrate the individual in a committee song?
richk
February 28, 2016 @ 10:06 am
I think there are songs written by committee and songs written with co-writers. Big difference. Is 24 Frames by Jason Isbell written by committee because Dave Cobb suggests some structure? Technically yes. I’ll give Kayce the benefit of the doubt that she has something she wants to say vs. taking what the room gives her.
Orgirl1
March 2, 2016 @ 1:32 pm
Hey richk, it’s weird you mentioned Kayce because I do feel badly about what I said, I adore her music. It’s just that as a woman it’s annoying that there aren’t more women country singers around, even in red dirt. It’s super satisfying to see a woman in country who sings and writes and is the sole songwriter of her songs. I know that collaborating can be good, I think I just want to see more women, with that tag “written by Kacey Musgraves”, only, the end. It’s more about my irratation with country music in general than Kacey. I adore Kacey -Pageant Material is one of my favorites.
Orgirl1
March 2, 2016 @ 1:43 pm
richk- 1 more quick thing, I did mention in the comment above that I do like when artists collaborate, like Miranda and Brent Cobb ( funny you mention Dave Cobb!). But there is definitely a difference between these horrible songs by committee that sound like a computer program spit assorted words out, and artists like Miranda and Brent or Kacey and Brandy collaborating together. Again, the thing with Kacey is more my bone to pick about the lack of women in Nashville. Love Kacey! She keeps it country, glad she exists.
JC Eldredge
February 22, 2016 @ 10:42 am
Well, I totally thought it was Blake Shelton singing this song. I guess I’ve never heard it ID’d on the radio, or more likely switched the station when it came on… Doesn’t matter I guess, I still don’t like it.
Jake W
February 22, 2016 @ 11:16 am
There is a beer commercial that has that exact gimmick going on with a text box tagged on to everyone’s beer. This sucks, not country and is obvious charade. Is that how many guns you will use to shoot the song down or something.
BwareDWare94
February 22, 2016 @ 11:16 am
I’d have a soft spot for this guy if he’d stop it with the hokey exaggerated twang
albert
February 22, 2016 @ 11:16 am
yeah……very Blake Shelton-sounding ….too bad a more ‘character’ voice wasn’t on this .
no….wouldn’t change the station but certainly wouldn’t buy it
yeah…..lyrically it lacks more creative ‘clever’ -sounds like it was written on a coffee break .
yeah…..the right direction…I guess
one gun up is a fair rating , imo Trigger
Brendan
February 22, 2016 @ 11:45 am
Meh. Not the worst. The story part is progress. It could be made significantly better by losing some instrumentation and slowing it down. The story isn’t a romp.
Derek Sullivan
February 22, 2016 @ 12:16 pm
I’m curious to hear the entire album. I actually liked most of Justin’s last album. I hope he keeps improving.
Melissa
February 22, 2016 @ 12:44 pm
Can’t stand Justin Moore’s voice or image, but I do like the title.
Acca Dacca
February 22, 2016 @ 12:47 pm
Perhaps I’m just easier to please than most, but that song title amuses me (clever or not).
Scott S.
February 22, 2016 @ 2:16 pm
I like this song.
Roland of Gilead
February 22, 2016 @ 2:52 pm
This song ain’t bad.At least the guy in the video is living the “High Life”.
SRM
February 22, 2016 @ 2:56 pm
Count me in with those that are amused by the song title and hook. I, too, might be more easy to please than others, and would give this at least a 6/10. Easily the best single Moore has released.
Hayley
February 22, 2016 @ 5:14 pm
I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t like it? Kinda left me in the middle with no opinion for or against. I kept waiting for something interesting to pop up, but ended up feeling like the arrangement and melody had been done a few times before. Final vote is, meh.
Powderfinger
February 22, 2016 @ 9:24 pm
I kind of like it. With the exception of his last album, I tend to find his stuff to be enjoyable. There’s better stuff out there, but this is harmless.
Jessica
February 22, 2016 @ 10:42 pm
Blech… Waste of airspace. why would anyone listen to this when they could listen to Merle or buck instead? Plus, he’s a midget poseur How anyone could be excited about this yahoo is beyond me.
Tom
February 23, 2016 @ 12:41 pm
Well, for one thing, listening to Merle or Buck isn’t always an option. Most of us are limited at times to what we can pick up over the broadcast airwaves; given the fact that we’re probably past the point where mainstream country radio is going to make any effort to give us anything of any real quality, it would at least be nice to see a move back toward something tolerable.
albert
February 22, 2016 @ 11:37 pm
OK …I’ve listened to this song twice now . Shoulda left well enough alone . Awkward phrasing , amateur songwriting overall and about as generic-sounding a track as Eric Church might record. Sorry Justin …I tried to like it …I really did .
Think I’ll listen to a little Mindy Smith and cleanse my pallet
HelloWalls
February 23, 2016 @ 4:10 am
Maybe mainstream country will go more traditional eventually, but I still don’t hear songs on the radio that make me feel anything. I’m looking for songs that MAKE A DIFFERENCE, not party songs. The Highwaymen said it best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1VF1ryIhDA
Donny
February 23, 2016 @ 8:10 am
Pretty average song. Justin has a bunch of great songs, hopefully his next album is decent.
The General
February 23, 2016 @ 9:34 am
Jason D Williams already did this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-asP4kTNl4
Mule
February 25, 2016 @ 12:39 am
And the late great Bobby Keys (sax player for the Stones) along with the legendary Dan Baird (of the Georgia Satellites) did a song with this same title already that Dan wrote but never recorded…it was a THROWAWAY. That’s how badass he is!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAzYRgFUhlg
F**k Nashville. This reminds me of the whole Todd Snider “Beer Run” controversy a few years ago. One of the really talented, authentic roots-rock/country folks come up with a hook/title/song and the cubicle songwriter folks just STEAL it, water it down, remove its pulse, smooth the edges, and give it to some hack to sing.
Dammit.
Mule
February 25, 2016 @ 12:47 am
And yeah, it’s the same as the Jason D Williams song above, Dan and Todd Snider wrote it, along with original Satellites bassist Keith Christopher, who also was Billy Joe Shaver’s bassist when Eddy was alive. Sorry, I got carried away when I saw the title of Justin Moore’s tune and didn’t stop to think, lol. 🙂
NCW
February 23, 2016 @ 8:38 pm
I heard this one the other morning and didn’t mind it. Was better than I was expecting. Which means radio will stop playing it next week.
Madwolfe
February 24, 2016 @ 7:19 am
Jennifer Nettles has a less irritating voice than this guy.
JW
February 24, 2016 @ 9:21 am
Not a bad song … better than most of what I hear on country radio.
D
February 24, 2016 @ 11:43 am
“Same seven notes and some slag poet quotes, stick them together with glue….” Vomit!
Frank the Tank
February 27, 2016 @ 2:26 pm
Not terrible, and better than a lot of mainstream country, but still not very good. I certainly wouldn’t buy this or purposely listen to it again.
richk
February 28, 2016 @ 10:02 am
Sounds like a radio hit. Expecting the worst, I thought it was going to be he needed a drink because the girl wasn’t attractive, it was the end of the night and he’d need to get loaded to take her home as a consolation prize.
Starting with those low, misogynistic expectations, this song was like War and Peace.