About the Song
In the hands of many artists, a song about drinking might be loud, raucous, or defiant. But when George Strait sings “Drinking Champagne”, it becomes something else entirely — a soft, elegant surrender to memory, heartache, and the quiet dignity of moving on.
Originally written by Bill Mack and recorded by others before him, George Strait’s 1990 version, from his album Livin’ It Up, brought new life and refinement to this timeless tune. While the lyrics suggest a celebration, the mood is undeniably reflective. “Drinking champagne and feeling no pain till early morning light…” might sound like a party on the surface, but listen closer and you’ll hear the echoes of longing, loneliness, and the ache of what might have been.
George Strait’s voice, as always, is calm and steady — never forcing the emotion, but allowing it to seep through in subtle ways. His delivery captures the contradiction at the heart of the song: the glass is full, the toasts are raised, but the heart is still quietly hurting.
Musically, “Drinking Champagne” leans into a gentle western swing — a nod to the traditions George has always held close. It’s the kind of melody that wraps around you like an old memory, bringing comfort even as it stirs up the past. There’s an almost cinematic quality to it — dim lights, a half-empty ballroom, and a lone man raising a glass not to forget, but to remember.
For older fans especially, this song may hit close to home. It’s not about drowning sorrow, but about honoring it, about lifting a glass to the love that shaped us, even if it slipped away. In that way, “Drinking Champagne” becomes more than a song — it’s a quiet ritual, a moment of grace in the face of life’s losses.