About the song
“Ah, Toby Keith. A name that resonates with a certain… rugged individualism. A man who, with his towering frame and even more towering personality, has carved out a unique niche in the landscape of country music. Now, we find ourselves delving into one of his more… let’s say, ‘spirited’ compositions: “Get Drunk and Be Somebody.”
At first glance, the title might strike some as a tad… uncouth. A simple, perhaps even crass, celebration of inebriation. But, as with much of Keith’s work, there’s a layer of complexity beneath the surface. He’s not merely advocating for reckless abandon; rather, he’s exploring the human condition, the yearning for recognition, for a moment, however fleeting, of significance.
The song, released in 2006, arrived at a time when America was grappling with its identity. The post-9/11 era was one of uncertainty, of searching for meaning in a world that seemed increasingly chaotic. Keith, ever the astute observer, tapped into this collective sentiment. He understood that sometimes, the weight of the world can be too much to bear. And in those moments, the desire to escape, to shed the burdens of responsibility, can be overwhelming.
“Get Drunk and Be Somebody” is not a glorification of alcoholism. It’s a reflection of the human desire to connect, to find solace in the company of others, even if that connection is forged in the haze of a few too many drinks. It’s a reminder that we’re all, at times, searching for our place in the world, for a sense of belonging.
Keith’s lyrics, as always, are direct, unpretentious. He speaks in the vernacular of the everyman, the working-class hero, the salt-of-the-earth individual who’s seen his fair share of life’s ups and downs. And in his delivery, there’s a sense of authenticity, of genuine empathy for those who find themselves lost or adrift.
The melody, too, is deceptively simple. A catchy, toe-tapping tune that belies the deeper themes at play. It’s the kind of song that can be enjoyed on multiple levels: as a lighthearted drinking anthem or as a poignant commentary on the human condition.
So, let us raise our glasses to Toby Keith, a man who, with his music, has given voice to the voiceless, who has captured the essence of the American spirit in all its flawed, yet ultimately endearing, glory. And let us ponder the question he poses: what does it truly mean to “be somebody?” Is it a matter of fame and fortune? Or is it simply about finding a moment of connection, of shared humanity, in a world that often feels cold and impersonal?
Video
Lyrics
Yeah, the big boss man, he likes to crack that whip
I ain’t nothing but a number on his time card slip
I give him 40 hours and a piece of my soul
Puts me somewhere at the bottom of his totem pole
Hell, I don’t even think he knows my name
Hey, all week long I’m a real nobody
But I just punched out and it’s paycheck Friday
Weekend’s here, good God almighty
I’m going to get drunk and be somebody (somebody)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
My baby cuts hair at a beauty boutique
Just blowing and going ’til she dead on her feet
They walk right in and sit right down
She gives them what they want, and she spins them around
Hey, I don’t think they even know her name
All week long, she’s a real nobody
But I just picked her up, and it’s paycheck Friday
Weekend’s here, good God almighty
Baby, let’s get drunk and be somebody (somebody)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
We’re just average people, in an everyday bar
Driving from work in our ordinary cars
And I like to come here with regular Joes
Drink all you want, be the star of the show
All week long, bunch of real nobodies
But we just punched out and it’s paycheck Friday
Weekend’s here, good God almighty
People, let’s get drunk (let’s get drunk)
All week long we’re some real nobodies
But we just punched out, it’s paycheck Friday
Weekend’s here, good God almighty
People, let’s get drunk and be somebody (let’s get drunk)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
