About The Song
“Drinking Champagne” is a classic country cover written by Bill Mack and recorded by George Strait. It appears on his tenth studio album, Livin’ It Up, released on May 15, 1990, by MCA Records. Produced by Jimmy Bowen and George Strait, the track features a traditional honky-tonk arrangement with steel guitar, fiddle, and Strait’s smooth, understated vocals. The album, which also included the number-one hits “Love Without End, Amen” and “I’ve Come to Expect It From You,” was certified Platinum by the RIAA.
The single was released as the second from the album in 1990. It debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and peaked at number four in October 1990, spending several weeks in the top 10. Though it did not reach number one, it contributed to Strait’s ongoing dominance on the country charts during the early 1990s, a period marked by consistent top performances.
The song’s narrative follows a man indulging in nightlife—drinking champagne, dining, dancing, and having flings with other women—to escape the pain of a failed relationship. Despite the temporary distractions, he wakes each morning haunted by thoughts of his ex, confessing through a guilty conscience that he never truly loved her when they were together. The ironic title underscores the contrast between lavish celebration and underlying regret.
Bill Mack originally wrote and recorded the song in the mid-1960s on Pike Records. It gained initial attention when Cal Smith took it to number 35 on the country charts in 1968. Other early covers include versions by Billy Walker (1968), Faron Young (1969), Ray Price (1969), Jim Ed Brown (1973), Don Gibson (1973), and Mickey Gilley (1975). Jerry Lee Lewis included a live version on his 1973 album Live at the International, and Dean Martin recorded it in 1983. Willie Nelson later covered it in 2010. Strait’s 1990 rendition revived the song for a new generation, becoming one of the most recognized versions.
Mack, a Texas radio personality and songwriter best known for penning LeAnn Rimes’ “Blue,” crafted the track in the classic cheating-song tradition of country music. Strait’s interpretation highlighted his ability to convey emotional depth with restraint, fitting seamlessly into the album’s mix of uptempo and ballad material. The song has been included on Strait compilations such as Strait Out of the Box (1995).
Though not one of Strait’s number-one singles, “Drinking Champagne” remains a fan favorite for its relatable theme of post-breakup escapism and self-reflection. It exemplifies his commitment to traditional country sounds amid the evolving genre in the 1990s, reinforcing his status as a purveyor of timeless honky-tonk storytelling.
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Lyric
I’m drinking champagne, feeling no pain ’til early morning
Dining and dancing with every pretty girl I can find
I’m having a fling with a pretty young thing ’til early morning
Knowing tomorrow I’ll wake up with you on my mindGuilty conscience, I guess
Though I must confess
I never loved you much when you were mineSo I’ll keep drinking champagne, feeling no pain ’til early morning
Dining and dancing with every pretty girl I can find
Having a fling with a pretty young thing ’til early morning
Knowing tomorrow I’ll wake up with you on my mindGuilty conscience, I guess
Though I must confess
I never loved you much when you were mineSo I’ll keep drinking champagne, feeling no pain ’til early morning
Dining and dancing with every pretty girl I can find
I’ll keep having a fling with a pretty young thing ’til early morning
Knowing tomorrow I’ll wake up with you on my mind