Whiskey Glasses
Seeing the world through whiskey glasses instead of facing the truth of an ex moving on.
Whiskey Glasses is a defining single by American country singer Morgan Wallen, originally written by Ben Burgess and Kevin Kadish in 2015. First appearing on his 2018 studio album, If I Know Me, it was released as the third single from that album. Pitched to Wallen for recording with producer Joey Moi, the track initially surfaced in the summer of 2018 and exploded into a massive hit throughout 2019, just one year after the album's release. The song remains a cornerstone of Wallen's early discography, celebrated for its specific narrative about using alcohol to avoid the pain of a broken heart.
- Artist
- Morgan Wallen
- Writers
- Ben Burgess, Kevin Kadish
- Producer
- Joey Moi
- Album Origin
- If I Know Me
- First Included On
- If I Know Me (2018 album)
- Single Release Era
- Summer 2018
- Peak Chart Position
- No. 1 on Billboard Country Airplay (June 8, 2019)
- RIAA Certification
- 13× Platinum (November 2023)
- US Sales (as of March 2020)
- 391,000 copies
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The song originated during a 2015 writing session where Ben Burgess proposed the concept of 'whiskey glasses.' He shared the core line, 'I'mma need some whiskey glasses, 'cause I don't wanna see the truth,' which Kadish embraced. Together they shaped the theme around someone turning to drink after a bad break-up. A key moment in the song's creation came when Burgess recalled his father saying, 'Poor Pappy ... oh, pour your Pappy a drink' after drinking too much. This memory inspired the opening line, 'Poor me, pour me another drink.' Wallen later described the track as a 'sad song at its core,' asking producer Joey Moi to give it an energetic delivery to contrast with the melancholy lyrics.
In Their Own Story
The narrative centers on a narrator who has been dumped by his girlfriend and seeks refuge in drinking. The title phrase plays on the idea of beer goggles, where the singer chooses to view reality through 'whiskey glasses' rather than face the truth that his ex is moving on. Wallen noted that while the lyrics are deeply sad about heartbreak, he wanted the production to feel less somber, creating a unique tension between the upbeat sound and the emotional weight of the story. The music video, directed by Justin Clough and premiering in October 2018, visually depicts this journey: Wallen is shown trying to mend his broken heart alone before eventually joining friends, including Hardy, at a bar to perform a live version of the song.
Reader's Guide
Whiskey Glasses reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart dated June 8, 2019, after topping the Hot Country Songs chart. Its commercial success was significant; as of March 2020, it had sold 391,000 copies in the United States. On December 16, 2025, the RIAA certified the single 13× Platinum, making it Wallen's highest-certified single to date. Fans and critics alike summarize the track as an upbeat breakup song where the narrator uses whiskey to dull romantic pain. The song’s enduring appeal lies in this contrast: a high-energy delivery masking a raw admission of needing to forget the truth about a lost relationship.
Did You Know?
- The opening line 'Poor me, pour me another drink' was inspired by writer Ben Burgess's father saying 'Poor Pappy... oh, pour your Pappy a drink'.
- Morgan Wallen specifically asked producer Joey Moi to make the song feel less somber despite it being a 'sad song at its core'.
- The music video for 'Whiskey Glasses' does not feature Hardy; Hardy appears in the music video for 'Up Down' instead.
- The song was written in 2015 but did not become a hit until 2019, one year after its release on the album If I Know Me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which album features the song Whiskey Glasses?
This track appears on Morgan Wallen's debut studio album, If I Know Me. It was released in late 2018 as a key single from the project.
How did Whiskey Glasses perform on music charts?
Yes, the song reached Number One on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Its success helped establish Wallen as a major force in modern country music.
What themes are explored in Whiskey Glasses lyrics?
The lyrics explore themes of heartbreak and solitude through the lens of coping with pain via alcohol. It resonates with listeners dealing with rural life struggles and emotional resilience.
When was Whiskey Glasses originally released?
Morgan Wallen released this defining single in late 2018. It bridged the gap between traditional outlaw storytelling and contemporary radio production styles.
Why is Whiskey Glasses considered important to fans?
Fans view it as a cornerstone of his early discography that defined his arrival in the industry. The anthem captures a specific mood where heartache meets the bottle in a neon-lit dive setting.
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