Midland, the acclaimed country music trio, struck gold with their debut single, “Drinkin’ Problem.” This chart-topping track from their album On the Rocks became an instant classic, celebrated for its traditional country sound and clever lyrics. But how did this iconic “Drinking Problem Song” come to life? The answer lies in a serendipitous songwriting session between Midland’s members – Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy, and Jess Carson – and Nashville hitmakers Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.
To understand the magic behind “Drinkin’ Problem,” we delve into the memories of the songwriters themselves as they recount the day this hit drinking song was born.
The Initial Spark: Chemistry and Kinship
Mark Wystrach recalls the first meeting with McAnally and Osborne as an immediate connection. “The first time we met, we went over to [McAnally’s] office, and we drank some beers and we just got to know each other,” Wystrach explains. This laid-back, get-to-know-you session quickly revealed a shared musical sensibility. “There was immediately a chemistry and a kinship. We’re all kind of kindred souls.” This organic connection was crucial in setting the stage for creative collaboration.
The conversation flowed naturally, fueled by shared musical passions. Wystrach continues, “It just happened really natural, and we just started talking. I think Jess was the one that said, ‘Man, I’m kind of obsessed with Gary Stewart,’ and Shane freaked out and Josh freaked out.” This mutual admiration for classic country artists like Gary Stewart solidified their creative alignment and pointed them towards a traditional country sound.
The “Drinkin’ Problem” Hook: From M*A*S*H to Music Row
While the initial meeting was about building rapport, the songwriting soon began. Interestingly, Wystrach jokes about his bandmates’ roles in the early stages, “If I recall, I wrote most of the song, and these guys were kind of just goofing off [laughs].” However, Shane McAnally clarifies the collaborative nature of the process and reveals the almost fateful role of “Drinkin’ Problem” in Midland’s trajectory. “It was the first song we wrote together, which was really crazy, to think about how it sort of became the cornerstone to the sound and the record deal, and just everything started happening around this song. It was obviously fate that this would be the first song that we sat down and wrote together.”
Despite the number of writers in the room, the process was surprisingly smooth because of their shared vision. McAnally notes, “And because there’s five of us in the room, I think a lot of times people would see that and think, ‘Oh, it must have been easier.’ The truth is, having five people in the room is really too many … but because everyone already sort of knew where it was going, we just had to kind of shape it.”
The distinctive hook for this future hit “drinking problem song” came from an unexpected source: the TV show M*A*S*H. Josh Osborne explains, “I had seen an old episode of M.A.S.H., and one of the characters had said, ‘Well, people are saying you have a drinking problem.’ I don’t even remember which character it was, but he said, ‘Well, I got no problem drinking at all.'” This witty line resonated with Osborne, who recognized its potential for a classic country song. “I wrote it down in my phone, but it was such a traditional country hook that it just didn’t fit everywhere.”
However, when Osborne heard Midland’s emerging sound, he knew he had found the perfect fit for his “drinking problem” hook. “We had heard a little bit of what these guys were doing when they reached out to Shane and I to write with them,” Osborne recalls. “I mentioned it to Shane: I said, ‘I have this idea. I don’t know if it’s exactly what they’re going to want to go for, but I’ve just been sitting on this idea.’ Shane loved it…”
A Drinking Song Sensation is Born
From a casual meeting to a shared love for traditional country and a quirky M*A*S*H quote, “Drinkin’ Problem” emerged as more than just a song; it became Midland’s signature tune and a defining “drinking problem song” for a new generation of country music fans. Its success is a testament to the power of collaboration, shared musical vision, and a little bit of serendipity.
