Alcohol, my permanent accessory
Alcohol, a party-time necessity
Alcohol, alternative to feeling like yourself
Oh alcohol, I still drink to your health

I love you more than I did the week before
I discovered alcohol
(That's what I'm talkin 'bout)

Forget the cafe latte
Screw the raspberry iced tea
A Malibu and Coke for you, a G and T for me
Alcohol, your songs resolve like
My life never will
When someone else is picking up the bill

I love you more than I did the week before
I discovered alcohol
Oh alcohol, would you please forgive me?
For while I cannot love myself
I'll use something else

I thought that alcohol was just for those with
Nothing else to do
I thought that drinking just to get drunk
Was a waste of precious booze
But now I know that there's a time
And there's a place where I can choose
To walk the fine line between
Self-control and self-abuse

I love you more than I did the week before
I discovered alcohol

Would you please ignore that you
Found me on the floor
Trying on your camisole?
Oh alcohol, would you please forgive me?
For while I cannot love myself
I'll use something else

Would you please forgive me?
Would you please forgive me?


Lyrics submitted by ojms

Alcohol Lyrics as written by Stephen Page Stephen Duffy

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Alcohol song meanings
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31 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    "Beer - the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems"

    -Homer Simpson

    prayingmantis84on July 15, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Well, I agree that the song's sarcastic but I don't think it's entirely anti-alcohol. There's nothing wrong with drinking in moderation. The song warns that it's easy to go too far and mess up on too much alcohol, but also makes the point that getting tipsy on occasion is damn good fun: it's all about finding "the fine line between self control and self abuse". I think the person in the song is developing a drinking problem but he is conscious of it and will probably seek help before he descends too far.

    gracelynon August 19, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I didn't see anyone put this so I'm going to go ahead and throw this out there. First off, I'm not saying any of this is wrong, I subscribe to the belief that they are encouraging moderation but that's beside the point. Another view of this song could be about a longstanding relationship with a woman.

    "I love you more, than I did the week before I discovered alcohol"

    If the song establishes that the singer really loves alcohol and he's been drinking it for a very long time, and now, as he's singing, he loves the woman more than a week before he EVEN discovered alcohol, he must love the woman a hell of a lot. Also, he discovered love first, not alcohol.

    Anyway, that's just me.

    distantshoreson July 05, 2007   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    This is probably my favorite Barenaked Ladies song. On the surface it's a catchy party song about drinking & having a good time, but is actually a cry for help from a spiraling alcoholic who's unable to put his life together. Very much a tongue & cheek anti-drinking message.

    Beefsworthon January 30, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    A great party song. I think I wore this song out my cousin's birthday party. It just fit in with the celebration!

    twisted_fateon May 22, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is about how distructive alcohol really is and what a bad idea it is to drink. This song is kinda sarcastic....but BNL are against alcohol.

    Stacey1417on June 11, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    When I heard this I was shocked. Then I read this line: "Would you please forgive me? For while I cannot love myself I’ll use something else " It does make the song about how alcohol is the easy way out and they are not actually endorsing drinking. PHEW!! (sigh!) BNL are my heroes! :)

    sarahmansouron June 16, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yep, i had to explain that to my friend when i put it on a cd i gave her for her birthday. drinking is bad.

    wrionon July 22, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    dude i used to listen to this song all the time on the way to parties. the beat just put me in the mood. honestly, the lyrics are pretty blunt, but goddammit theyre so true. thats the lifestyle of those who live to get drunk. i still remember those days and what it was like living for the times you were wasted and blazed off your ass

    thetruthaboutkaton August 25, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I forgot to add:

    Steven Page for President

    sarahmansouron September 11, 2002   Link

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