Lee Brice, ‘Drinking Class’ – ToC Critic’s Pick [Listen]
With ‘Drinking Class,’ Lee Brice has released the song that will close his shows for years to come.
Slide this anthemic movement right at the end of each concert, after he walks off stage and then hustles back for his encore. There might not be another song in country music right now capable of leaving a bar, arena or stadium feeling more empowered than ‘Drinking Class.’
Fans who stir classic rock in with their country whiskey will hear Bruce Springsteen. In fact ,‘Drinking Class’ is something the Boss could have added to ‘Wrecking Ball.’ Producer Lee Brice is as good as singer Lee Brice on this song, which is quite a statement, because his vocals are as impressive as those heard on ‘Love Like Crazy.’
“I’m a member of a blue-collar crowd / They can never, naw, they can’t keep us down / If you gotta, gotta label me / Label me proud,” Brice sings before entering the chorus. Josh Kear, David Frasier and Ed Hill penned this song.
And by the final two choruses, it’s absolutely an explosion: “We belong to the drinking class / Monday through Friday, man we bust our backs / And if you’re one of us raise your glass / We belong to the drinking class."
There’s not a hardworking American who won’t relate to this song on some level. On the surface, it’s a love letter to factory, construction, road and similar industries. But what’s to stop a stay-at-home mom or a white-collar executive from feeling included when Brice sings:
“We’re up when the rooster crows / Clock in when the whistle blows / Eight hours ticking slow / And then tomorrow we’ll do it all over again."
That feeling of needing a damn drink after a hard day working at anything is universal. Add in a thunder and lighting percussion section and a few evocative “Whoa, whoas” and you have a song that can’t be ignored. No disrespect to ‘I Drive Your Truck,’ ‘I Don’t Dance’ or ‘A Woman Like You,’ but ‘Drinking Class’ is Brice’s finest moment.
Key Lyrics: “We belong to the drinking class / Monday through Friday, man we bust our backs / And if you’re one of us raise your glass / We belong to the drinking class”
Did You Know?: Brice says his previous albums were songs he'd written long before releasing them to fans. The 'I Don't Dance' album is the first time he's gotten to show fans who he is right now.
Listen to Lee Brice, ‘Drinking Class’
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