About the song
“If Drinking Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will).” Released in 1980 as a single from his iconic album I Am What I Am (the very same album that gave us “He Stopped Loving Her Today”), this track became a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, further solidifying Jones’s unparalleled ability to convey the deepest, most agonizing human emotions. It’s far more than just a popular song; it’s a devastatingly honest exploration of crippling grief, the allure of oblivion, and the relentless torment that a lost love can inflict on the soul.
The lyrics of “If Drinking Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will),” penned by Harlan Sanders and Rick Beresford, paint a stark and somber picture of a man utterly consumed by the loss of a past love. He finds himself in a desperate struggle, caught between the slow, destructive path of alcohol and the immediate, crushing pain of remembering the woman who left him. The song presents a grim choice, suggesting that one way or another, this heartbreak is going to be his end. There’s a palpable sense of resignation, a complete surrender to the overwhelming grief. Phrases like “If drinking don’t kill me, her memory will” and “My life’s been a disaster, since she walked out the door” perfectly capture this blend of profound despair and the relentless haunting by a past love. The song speaks to the universal human experience of profound loss, the desperate attempts to numb unbearable pain, and the terrifying realization that some emotional wounds run so deep, they threaten one’s very existence. It’s about the raw, visceral agony of a broken heart and the self-destructive spiral that can ensue when hope is lost. It resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt utterly consumed by grief and the temptation to escape reality.
George Jones’s vocal performance on “If Drinking Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will)” is, quite simply, legendary in its raw honesty and heart-wrenching authenticity. His voice, with its inimitable blend of gravelly pain, nuanced phrasing, and a profound, almost spiritual connection to the lyrics, delivers the song with a palpable sense of weary resignation and desperate torment. He doesn’t just sing the words; he embodies the broken man, making the listener feel every nuance of his despair, his struggle with the bottle, and the relentless phantom pain of his lost love. Jones’s ability to convey such immense suffering without resorting to melodrama is what makes his performance so masterful; every crack, every drawl, every sustained note drips with genuine anguish. There’s a perfect blend of understated delivery in the verses, building to a gut-wrenching crescendo in the chorus, particularly the iconic, chilling declaration that “her memory will.” Jones’s brilliance lies in his unparalleled ability to infuse such a deeply emotional narrative with raw, authentic feeling, connecting with audiences on a visceral and empathetic level through the sheer honesty and breathtaking control of his voice, even as it conveys profound suffering. It is a masterclass in conveying ultimate despair.
The musical arrangement of “If Drinking Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will)” is a pristine example of classic country balladry, meticulously crafted to serve the powerful lyrical narrative and George Jones’s definitive vocal. It typically features a gentle, melodic steel guitar that provides a tender, weeping backdrop of sorrow and lament, complemented by a subtle, understated acoustic guitar and bass that lay down a somber, deliberate rhythm. The instrumentation is kept minimal, creating an intimate atmosphere that feels almost like a confession, allowing Jones’s stunning vocal and the poignant lyrics to remain front and center. There are no unnecessary flourishes; every note contributes to the song’s melancholic beauty and emotional weight. The production is clean, warm, and remarkably clear, ensuring that every instrumental nuance and, crucially, George Jones’s incredible vocal are heard with pristine clarity, enhancing the song’s profound emotional impact and its undeniable authenticity. It’s an arrangement that feels both intimate and universally tragic, perfectly suited for a heartfelt lament of eternal pain.
“If Drinking Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will)” resonated profoundly with audiences because its universal themes of profound heartache, the struggle with self-destruction, and the relentless power of memory are deeply understood and intensely felt. It became one of George Jones’s most iconic and beloved songs, a true signature piece that further cemented his legacy as “The Possum” and the ultimate country balladeer of sorrow. It remains a timeless classic, a powerful and exhilarating reminder that sometimes, when it comes to a lost love, If Drinking Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will).
Video
Lyrics
The bars are all closed
It’s four in the mornin’
I must have shut ’em all down
By the shape that I’m in
I lay my head on the wheel
And the horn begins honkin’
The whole neighborhood knows
That I’m home drunk again
If drinkin’ don’t kill me
Her memory will
I can’t hold out much longer
The way that I feel
With the blood from my body
I could start my own still
But if drinkin’ don’t kill me
Her memory will
These old bones, they move slow
But so sure of their footsteps
As I trip on the floor
And I lightly touch down
Lord, it’s been ten bottles
Since I tried to forget her
But the mem’ry still lingers
Lyin’ here on the ground
And if drinkin’ don’t kill me
Her memory will
I can’t hold out much longer
The way that I feel
With the blood from my body
I could start my own still
But if drinkin’ don’t kill me
Her memory will
