Listen to Loretta Lynn’s Fiery Classic “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin'” and Get Ready to Stand Up for Yourself!
Loretta Lynn’s “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin'” is a classic country song that tells the story of a woman who’s had enough of her husband’s drinking and partying. Released in 1966, the song quickly became a hit and remains one of Lynn’s most iconic and enduring works.
The song opens with Lynn warning her husband not to come home drunk again. She sings “Don’t come home a-drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind / You never come home at all with lovin’ on your mind.” The lyrics are straightforward and blunt, but they convey a sense of the frustration and anger that many women experience when their partners prioritize drinking and partying over their relationships.
Throughout the song, Lynn makes it clear that she’s not going to tolerate her husband’s behavior anymore. She asserts her independence and self-respect, singing “So if you’re out a-havin’ fun / That’s all right with me / If you bring home the monkey / You’d better climb up in your tree.”
Lynn’s powerful vocals and commanding presence make this song an anthem for women everywhere who have struggled with relationships where their partners were more interested in alcohol or other vices than in building a healthy partnership. The song’s message is timeless and its relevance has only grown over the years as addiction and codependency continue to be significant societal issues.
In interviews, Lynn has revealed that the song was based on her own experiences with a husband who struggled with alcoholism. As she stated in an interview with NPR, “I lived a lot in those days. I mean, I had babies and everything else, but I still went out and partied with the best of ’em. But I didn’t do what my husband did. He’d go out and drink and stay gone for days.”
Ultimately, “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin'” is a powerful song that speaks to the resilience and strength of women who are determined to stand up for themselves and their worth. Its legacy is a testament to Loretta Lynn’s enduring influence as a trailblazing pioneer in country music who has always spoken her truth and stood up for what she believes in.
