Released: 2024Features: Julia MichaelsAt its heart, “Want This Beer” by Josh Ross featuring Julia Michaels is a song wrapped in the ruminations of lost love, the attempts to numb the pain, and the realization that perhaps, some feelings just can’t be drowned out by alcohol. The song uses beer as a metaphor for trying to forget someone, but ultimately realizing that what they really want can’t be found at the bottom of a bottle.
The opening lines immediately set up the song’s premise, with repeated “I don’t” phrases driving home the point of denial and reluctance. The singer tells us that despite friends’ advice—that alcohol could ease the pain—this strategy falls short. It’s a common belief, turning to drinking to forget, but here it’s dismissed.
The heart of the matter surfaces when the lyrics reveal a yearning for the past relationship’s roller-coaster emotions, from those “stupid fights” to the “kiss all nights.” It’s clear that the physical presence of the beer is no substitute for the emotional intoxication once felt in the relationship.
As we move further in, the repetition of “I don’t even want this beer” acts as a refrain, underscoring the central theme of unwanted solace in drinking. The message is clear—it’s not the alcohol they’re lusting for, but the recollection of love lost. Even more so, there’s an acknowledgment that trying to “drink you off my mind” is a futile effort. This line perfectly encapsulates the universal struggle of trying to erase someone from your thoughts, a task that alcohol promises but rarely delivers.
The bridge brings a slight twist, admitting a sober state despite the wishes to be “drunk on your love,” highlighting the distinction between wanting to be inebriated with alcohol versus being intoxicated by someone’s presence. This acknowledgment of preferring the emotional highs and lows of the relationship over the numbness tries to bridge back to the relationship, even though it’s over.
Ultimately, “Want This Beer” isn’t just about the inability to move on from a past love. It’s an honest confrontation with the self, recognizing that the cure for heartbreak isn’t in a can or bottle. It boldly declares that sometimes, the only thing to do is face the music of your emotions, rather than drown them out. Through its catchy tune and relatable lyrics, Ross and Michaels deliver a country-pop anecdote that hits home for anyone who’s ever tried to find solace in the wrong place.
