Isbell is describing a boozy, tortured relationship with a girl. What I like about it is the "dual meaning" of "belly up": both "belly up [to the bar]" and as a metaphor for death (a fish goes "belly up" when it dies; used metaphorically with people: "gone tits up" is a euphemism for death).
So, the protagonist is clearly drinking hardcore: somewhat less serious than death ("ain't really drowning") but worse than going to sleep ("ain't really falling asleep.")
Also, the bit about "belly up and arch your back": I took it to mean a bar girl, bellied up to the bar, and "arching her back" to make her tits look bigger and draw attention.
Basically, a song about alkies in love and/or lust.
Ah, a good ol' "hard drinkin'/hard lovin'" song.
Isbell is describing a boozy, tortured relationship with a girl. What I like about it is the "dual meaning" of "belly up": both "belly up [to the bar]" and as a metaphor for death (a fish goes "belly up" when it dies; used metaphorically with people: "gone tits up" is a euphemism for death).
So, the protagonist is clearly drinking hardcore: somewhat less serious than death ("ain't really drowning") but worse than going to sleep ("ain't really falling asleep.")
Also, the bit about "belly up and arch your back": I took it to mean a bar girl, bellied up to the bar, and "arching her back" to make her tits look bigger and draw attention.
Basically, a song about alkies in love and/or lust.