You’ve probably heard it in a crowded bar on a Friday night. The lights are low, the floor is slightly sticky, and then that stomping, rhythmic beat kicks in. Suddenly, everyone—from the guy in the grease-stained Carhartt jacket to the woman in the office blazer—is raising a glass. We aren't just talking about a song here. We’re talking about Lee Brice I belong to the drinking class, a track that basically became the unofficial national anthem for anyone who has ever survived a forty-hour work week.
Released back in September 2014 as part of his I Don't Dance album, "Drinking Class" wasn't just another radio hit. It was a cultural moment. While other country artists were singing about tailgates and tan lines, Lee Brice decided to salute the people who actually keep the country running. It’s gritty. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s a little bit exhausting in the best way possible.
The Story Behind the Anthem
Most people assume Lee Brice wrote this song himself because he delivers it with such raw, gravelly conviction. But here’s the kicker: he didn’t. The track was actually penned by the powerhouse trio of Josh Kear, David Frasier, and Ed Hill. These guys had been writing together for fifteen years before "Drinking Class" gave them their first collective number one hit. Talk about a "drinking class" work ethic right there.
Lee Brice has a reputation for being a perfectionist. When he first got his hands on the demo, it apparently had a lot of "crazy stuff" on it—extra production layers that didn't quite fit. He stripped it back. He wanted that organic, stomping, blue-collar sound that felt real. He even played many of the instruments on the record himself because he wanted it to sound exactly like the people he was singing about.
"At the last minute, I realized what it was missing, and it was missing the simplicity of a working-class sound," Brice once noted.
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That simplicity is what makes it work. It starts with that steady beat—like a heart or a hammer—and builds into a massive chorus that feels like a collective exhale.
Why Lee Brice I Belong to the Drinking Class Resonates
Let’s be real for a second. The lyrics aren't about being a "functioning alcoholic" or anything dark like that. It’s about solidarity.
The song opens with the rooster crowing and the whistle blowing. It’s the cycle of the American worker.
- Monday to Friday? You’re busting your back.
- Saturday and Sunday? You’re finding your soul again.
- The "Drinking Class"? It's just a label for the people who trade their time for a paycheck and their Friday nights for a little bit of sanity.
When Brice sings, "If you gotta label me, label me proud," he’s reclaiming a term that might normally be a slight. He turns it into a badge of honor. It’s about the people who are up before the sun and don't stop until the job is done.
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Breaking Down the Success
The song didn't just stay in the bars. It climbed all the way to #1 on the Mediabase Country Singles Chart in April 2015. It even beat out heavy hitters like Dierks Bentley’s "Say You Do" during its peak. Eventually, it earned an RIAA Gold certification, proving that the message wasn't just a regional fluke.
The Music Video: A Visual Tribute
If the song is the heart, the music video is the face of the movement. Directed by Ryan Smith, the video features actual laborers. You see welders sparks flying, truck drivers staring down long highways, and cooks sweating over hot grills. It isn't glamorous. It’s grey, dusty, and incredibly human.
Brice himself appears in the video, but he’s not the main character. The workers are. It’s a smart move that avoids the "rich country star" trope. Instead, it feels like a genuine thank-you note to the audience.
Misconceptions and Nuance
Some critics at the time felt the song was a bit too "anthemic" or "loud." Some even thought it focused too much on the "misery" of the work week. But if you talk to any Lee Brice fan, they’ll tell you that the sadness is the point. You can't have the relief of the weekend without the grind of the Monday morning. Brice’s voice always has this tinge of melancholy to it—a soulful rasp that makes you believe he’s actually lived the lyrics.
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Interestingly, "Drinking Class" was one of only three songs on the I Don't Dance album that Brice didn't have a hand in writing. Yet, he often says it’s one of the most important tracks he’s ever recorded. It bridged the gap between his earlier, more traditional country sounds and the experimental, stadium-rock energy he started exploring later in his career.
How to Experience the Song Today
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of Lee Brice I belong to the drinking class, don't just stream the studio version.
- Watch the Live Performances: His performance on SiriusXM’s The Highway or any of his live festival recordings show the true energy of the song. The crowd participation is usually deafening.
- Listen for the Production: Pay attention to the "stomp" in the background. Brice purposefully used organic sounds to mimic the rhythm of a factory or a construction site.
- Check out the Songwriters: Look up other work by Josh Kear or David Frasier. These guys are the backbone of Nashville's modern songwriting scene.
At its core, "Drinking Class" is a reminder that work is hard, but you aren't doing it alone. It’s a song about the 5:00 PM whistle, the cold glass in your hand, and the people sitting on the stools next to you. It’s a legacy of pride, sweat, and a really good chorus.
To truly appreciate the impact, find a local jukebox this weekend and put it on. Watch the room change. That’s the power of a song that actually understands what it means to work for a living.
Next Steps for the Listener:
To get the full "Drinking Class" experience, listen to the I Don't Dance album in its entirety to see how Brice balances this high-energy anthem with softer tracks like the title song. You might also want to check out the "Drinking Class" lyric video, which highlights the specific blue-collar imagery that inspired the track's production.