Brad Paisley – Whiskey Lullaby (feat. Alison Krauss)

About the song

Background

“Whiskey Lullaby” is a country song by Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss. It was released in 2003 on Paisley’s album “Mud on the Tires.” The song quickly became a major hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart. It won the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year and the Grammy Award for Best Country Song with Vocals in 2004.

Themes

The song deals with several dark themes, including suicide, domestic violence, and alcoholism. It tells the story of a woman in an abusive relationship who eventually takes her own life. The duet format, with Paisley singing from the perspective of the couple’s young child and Krauss singing from the perspective of the woman, adds depth and emotional weight to the narrative.

Lyrics

The lyrics of “Whiskey Lullaby” are poignant and heartbreaking. They paint a vivid picture of the couple’s troubled relationship and the tragic consequences of their actions. Some key lines include:

  • “She put him out like the burnin’ end of a midnight cigarette” (referencing the abuse)
  • “She tried to hide the whiskey on her breath” (the woman’s coping mechanism)
  • “She never could get drunk enough to get him off her mind” (the lasting impact of the abuse)
  • “And finally drank her pain away a little at a time” (her descent into alcoholism)

Overall

“Whiskey Lullaby” is a powerful song that tackles difficult subjects with honesty and compassion. It’s a reminder of the devastating effects of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help. While the themes are dark, the song is ultimately a cautionary tale with a message of hope.

Video

Lyrics

She put him outLike the burning end of a midnight cigaretteShe broke his heartHe spent his whole life trying to forget
We watched him drink his pain awayLittle at a timeBut he never could get drunk enoughTo get her off his mind until the night
He put that bottle to his head and pulled the triggerAnd finally drank away her memoryLife is short but this time it was biggerAnd the strength he had to get up off his knees
We found him with his face down in the pillowWith a note that said I’ll love her till I dieAnd when we buried him beneath the willowThe angels sang a whiskey lullaby
La la la la la la laLa la la la la la laLa la la la la la laLa la la la la la la
The rumors flewBut nobody knew how much she blamed herselfFor years and yearsShe tried to hide the whiskey on her breathe
She finally drank her pain away little at a timeBut she never could get drunk enough to get him of her mindUntil the night
She put that bottle to her head and pulled the triggerAnd finally drank away his memoryLife is short but this time it was biggerThan the strength she had to get up off her knees
We found her with her face down in the pillowClinging to his picture for dear lifeWe laid her next to him beneath the willowWhile the Angels sang a whiskey lullaby
La la la la la la laLa la la la la la la
La la la la la la laLa la la la la la la
La la la la la la laLa la la la la la laLa la la la la la laLa la la la la la la
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