If You Don't Start Drinkin' Explained

"If You Don't Start Drinkin' (I'm Gonna Leave)" is a rock song by American blues rock band George Thorogood and the Destroyers, released in January 1991 as the lead single from their album Boogie People by EMI America.^{[1] [2]} It was written by George Thorogood. The song is one of Thorogood's most popular, it is often played live and is included on several live and compilation albums.^[3]

Writing

The song describes a man trying to get his wife to start drinking alcohol with him, threatening to leave her if she does not.^[4]

The music video for the song was made by David Hogan.^[5]

Release

The song was released as the lead single from their eighth studio album Boogie People.^{[6] [7]} The song debuted at No. 12,^[8] and peaked at No. 5 on the Mainstream Rock chart.^{[9] [10] [11]}

Controversy

Following the single's release, Stephanine Lesky, an executive director at the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council in Orange County, New York called for radio stations in New York to not play the song, claiming it promoted abuse and drinking and driving.^[12] EMI America and Thorogood have denied this claim, with EMI America issuing a statement saying: "The song in question is meant as a tongue-in-cheek exchange between two adults in the privacy of their own home and should in no way be construed as an endorsement of indiscriminate drinking."^[13]

Thorogood has said that he was afraid the song would be controversial, and that he brought it up to EMI America, but they ended up releasing it anyway.

Personnel

• George Thorogood – guitar, vocals
• Steve Chrismar - guitar
• Hank Carter – saxophone
• Billy Blough – bass
• Jeff Simon – drums

Charts

Chart (1991)	Peak position
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	5
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[14]	35

Notes and References

1. Rene . Sheila . February 1, 1991 . Hear And There . . 40 . World Radio History.
2. Web site: uDiscover Team . March 8, 2020 . George Thorogood - Prodigiously-Talented Boogie Blues Guitarist . uDiscover Music.
3. Web site: If You Don't Start Drinkin' (I'm Gonna Leave) AllMusic . AllMusic.
4. Web site: Henderson . Alex . Boogie People - George Thorogood & the Destroyers AllMusic . AllMusic.
5. April 19, 1991 . The Gavin Report - April 19, 1991 . . 27 . World Radio History.
6. Flick . Larry . February 2, 1991 . Album-Rock Fans Have Lots To Sing About . . 12 . World Radio History.
7. Rene . Sheila . March 15, 1991 . Hear And There . . World Radio History.
8. March 2, 1991 . Billboard - March 2, 1991 . . 14 . World Radio History.
9. April 13, 1991 . Billboard - April 13, 1991 . . 18 . World Radio History.
10. Web site: George Thorogood Awards . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121203033725/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-thorogood-mn0000647834/awards . December 3, 2012 . January 16, 2021 . AllMusic.
11. George Thorogood & the Destroyers Chart History . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180509085832/https://www.billboard.com/music/george-thorogood-the-destroyers/chart-history/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks . May 9, 2018 . Billboard.
12. May 27, 1991 . Music Connection - May 27, 1991 . . 18 . World Radio History.
13. March 30, 1991 . Some Potent Thoughts On Drinking Songs; London Calling Jimmie Vaughan; Black's Biz . . 36 . World Radio History.
14. Web site: Item: 1053 - Library and Archives Canada . Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013 .