Drinkin' Smokin' Cheatin'

Album: Big Day in a Small Town (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the only track on Big Day in a Small Town that Brandy Clark wrote on her own. She recalled to Radio.com: "I started it at the very top, and it started with that groove. I just liked that groove, and I was playing my guitar, and I just sang that first line, 'I ain't been drinking, but if I was drinking, I think I'd be drinking bourbon.'"

    "And it sort of became a daydream, if you could just sort of kiss your reality goodbye and responsibilities goodbye, what you would do? And in my mind I had the characters figured out in my head, and they lived in a place where the dishes were stacked two sinks high, just kinda had it with each other."
  • Shane McAnally came in and sang on the song with Clark. The Washington songstress has a long history of collaboration with the Texan songwriter. McNally worked on much of her acclaimed debut, 12 Stories, and he also has a credit on Girl Next Door.

    According to Clark, McAnally didn't feel confident in his vocal. However, producer Jay Joyce only did two takes, as he wanted it to feel very real. Clark said: "Somebody mentioned to him, 'It sounds like you and Shane are singing to each other in that,' and I was like, that is so perfect."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.