About the Song
In the realm of country music, Loretta Lynn stands as a towering figure, a pioneer who fearlessly challenged conventions and gave voice to the experiences of women often relegated to the margins of society. Her songs, imbued with raw emotion and unflinching honesty, resonated deeply with audiences, making her one of the most influential and beloved artists of her generation. Among her many enduring classics, “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’” stands out as a potent anthem for self-respecting women, a defiant declaration of independence and a refusal to tolerate disrespect.
Released in 1967, “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’” marked Lynn’s first number-one country hit, catapulting her to national stardom. The song’s opening lines, delivered with a steely resolve that sets the tone for the entire track, are a direct address to an unfaithful husband: “Don’t come home a-drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind.” This blunt command, devoid of euphemism or subtlety, immediately establishes the song’s central theme: a woman’s unwavering refusal to be the object of her husband’s drunken affection.
Lynn’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a woman scorned, weary of her husband’s late-night escapades and the unwanted advances that accompany his inebriated state. She issues a stark warning: “If you want that kind of love, well, you don’t need none of mine.” This declaration of self-worth is a powerful statement of female empowerment, a refusal to be diminished or defined by a man’s actions.
The song’s chorus, a repeated refrain of “Don’t come home a-drinkin’”, serves as a relentless reminder of the woman’s boundaries, a firm rejection of her husband’s disrespectful behavior. Lynn’s voice, infused with a blend of anger, frustration, and determination, cuts through the track, conveying the weight of her emotions and the depth of her resolve.
“Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’” is more than just a country song; it’s a cultural touchstone, a powerful articulation of female autonomy and a testament to the strength of a woman who refuses to compromise her self-respect. Lynn’s legacy as a fearless storyteller and advocate for women’s voices is firmly cemented in this iconic song, a timeless anthem that continues to resonate with listeners generations after its release.
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Lyrics: Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’
Well you thought I’d be waitin’ up when you came home last night
You’d been out with all the boys and you ended up half tight
But liquor and love that just don’t mix leave a bottle or me behind
And don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind
No don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind
Just stay out there on the town and see what you can find
Cause if you want that kind of love well you don’t need none of mine
So don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind
[ steel – guitar ]
You never take me anywhere because you’re always gone
Many a night I’ve laid awake and cried dear all alone
And you come in a kissin’ on me it happens every time
No don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind
No don’t come home a drinkin’…
No don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind