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Top 10 Songs About Relationships Ruined by Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Relationships can be difficult, and it’s even more challenging when one of the partners is an addict. Whether their addiction is to alcohol or drugs, they are often unreliable and always unpredictable. Some relationships end with a bang while others fade away slowly, but there’s no denying that the romantic sparks have gone out for good.
In this article I am going to share 10 songs about relationships ruined by Alcohol and Drug Abuse- some sadder than others- as well as provide details about what you can do if you find yourself in a similar situation!
- “Did I Shave My Legs for This?” – Deana Carter
In this country ballad, Carter laments about the disappointments of her marriage and her apathetic husband. In the music video, they are broke and living in a trailer, she never got her “house on a hill with a pool.” While all her lazy husband can do is drink beer after beer, he expects her to make things better by going to school.
On top of all of this, she’s done herself up, got her hair and nails done, put on new high heels, and still all he cares about is his TV and beer.
- “Blue Flashing Light” – Travis
An alternative rock song, this hidden track is about an abusive father who comes home drunk and beats his daughter. Once we hear the line, “talk to your daddy in that tone of voice,” this father-daughter dynamic becomes clear.
The collective “we” that lead singer Fran Healy uses suggests there are family members witnessing the abuse, further painting this nightmarish picture. The part that Alcohol plays in this abusive relationship is revealed in the line, “pushed you aside as he staggered inside/spitting Alcohol over the floor.”
- “Hate Me” – Blue October
Another alternative rock band sings about substance abuse in this platinum single. You can feel the smoldering and desperate regret of the song’s lyrics in Justin Furstenfeld’s distinct voice.
While parts of the song breach the realm of self-loathing and pity, it commends his mother for how much she has helped him and acknowledges the pain he caused her. “I’m sober now for three whole months, it’s one accomplishment that you helped me with,” Furstenfeld sings.
- “Can’t Hold Us Down” – Christina Aguilera
Alright, this one doesn’t have anything to do with abusing drugs or Alcohol, but amidst all of these sad stories it felt necessary to offer a fun girl power song.
- “Man Overboard” – Blink 182
Rumor has it that this is actually about former member of the band, Scott Raynor, who developed a heavy drinking problem during his time with the band. The song reflects on the process the band went through of coming to terms with the issue: “you’re out of line and rarely sober…. I remember shots without a chaser.”
- “Wasted” – Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood’s hit is a slow and passionate burn about a troubled relationship that is redeemed—or at least the music video leads us to believe that.
First, she leaves the man who seems to be “wasted,” drinking all the time, singing: “I don’t want to spend my life jaded, waitin’, to wake up one day and find that I let all these years go by wasted.”
Later, he wakes up and realizes that he doesn’t want to live this way anymore. The lyrics go: “another glass of whiskey, but it still don’t kill the pain so he stumbles to the sink and pours it down the drain.”
- “I think I’m in Love” – Spiritualized
Here is a man singing about himself — or enacting a common narrative of addiction — either way, it’s no woman anthem. But, it does shine a light on the delusions that drug abuse causes.
- “The Bottle or Me” – Dee Dee Sharp
This 60s R&B song is sassy and to the point: her man must choose, as she sings “is it the bottle or me?”
A woman is dating a man with a bad drinking problem, and she is sick of it: “I got a man, he loves the bottle, loves it better than me.” This woman knows her worth and wants to be valued over Alcohol.
- “Church Bells” – Carrie Underwood
Yes, it is another Carrie Underwood song. She has practically written a new literature of music about unhealthy relationships that involve Alcoholism, domestic violence and cheating.
This song, more feisty and upbeat than “Wasted,” is a story that starts as a poor girl meets a rich man and begins a romance. The story takes a dark turn when Jenny’s husband starts drinking too much.
- “Circle the Drain” – Katy Perry
Finally, the number one song in this category goes to Katie Perry’s “Circle the Drain.” She brings back a 70s hard rocker chick sound relative to “Heart,” which — in combination with her typical techno pop sound — is perfect for a powerful female anthem.
She describes the tolls that her boyfriend’s drug abuse problem has taken on their relationship spitefully, and indignantly concludes that she isn’t sticking around.
“Detox to Rehab” is a community that helps people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. They have compiled the list of the Top 10 Songs About Relationships Ruined by Alcohol and Drug Abuse. These songs cover all genres, from 60s R&B to contemporary country-pop! Learn more about their work with addiction here: detoxtorehab.com
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