Someone Light Me a Drink, Pour Me a Smoke
Bale Harrison & The Texas Field Hands
Someone Light Me a Drink, Pour Me a Smoke — Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger
Verse 1
Sittin’ at this bar, I’m feelin’ kind of low,
Need a little pick-me-up, somethin’ with a glow.
Don’t want the usual, no beer or whiskey neat,
I need a kind of remedy that’ll knock me off my feet.
Chorus
Someone light me a drink, pour me a smoke,
Give me that fire, I wanna breathe in the jolt.
I’m burnin’ at both ends, can’t you see?
I need a cocktail of smoke and whiskey to set me free.
Verse 2
The bartender’s lookin’ at me like I’m outta my mind,
I said, “No worries, friend, just get creative this time.”
He grabbed a bottle of gin, a pack of Lucky Strikes,
Next thing I know, he’s got me flyin’ like a kite.
Chorus
Someone light me a drink, pour me a smoke,
Mix me up a storm in this old oak.
I’m drownin’ in my thoughts, I need that spark,
To turn this lonely room into a fire-lit park.
Bridge
It’s a strange combination, I know it don’t make sense,
But in this crazy world, we’re just jumpin’ the fence.
When life’s a little heavy, you need a lighter load,
So pour me that smoke, and let the embers glow.
Verse 3
Now I’m floatin’ in the haze, feelin’ kind of light,
Who knew that burnin’ bourbon could feel so right?
I’m drinkin’ in the vapors, puffin’ on the pour,
This could be the start of somethin’ more.
Chorus
Someone light me a drink, pour me a smoke,
Serve it with a smile, make me a jolt.
I’m sailin’ on the breeze, ridin’ on the flame,
In this bar tonight, it’s all the same.
Outro
So if you’re feelin’ low, and you need a little hope,
Don’t settle for the ordinary, ask for the smoke.
Raise your glass high, let your spirit soak,
Someone light me a drink, pour me a smoke.
Fade Out
Cask strength whiskey, burnin’ like a flame,
Straight from the barrel, it don’t play no game.
No water to tame it, just pure liquid fire,
Every sip takes me higher, puts my soul up on a wire.
Yeah, someone light me a drink… pour me a smoke…
Just light me a drink… and pour me… a smoke.
The Fiery World of High-Proof Spirits: “Someone Light Me a Drink, Pour Me a Smoke”
In the dim, smoky corners of the world’s bars, where life’s troubles are drowned in strong spirits, there exists a select group of alcohols that promise not just a drink but an experience. These high-proof spirits are notorious for their intense burn and the bold statement they make on your palate. They are the liquid courage that set fire to the senses, quite literally, and have inspired songs like “Someone Light Me a Drink, Pour Me a Smoke.”
Everclear: The Ultimate Burn
Everclear is the heavyweight champion of high-proof spirits, boasting an astounding 190 proof (95% alcohol by volume). It’s like the Rocky Balboa of the liquor world—no frills, just pure, unadulterated power. Odorless and flavorless, Everclear is more of a tool than a drink, often used as a base for homemade infusions or to spike a punch with a punch. Bartenders might keep it behind the bar with caution tape around it, a reminder that some spirits are not meant to be sipped casually. It’s the kind of drink you handle with care, like a hot coal, knowing full well it could ignite at any moment—literally and figuratively.
Absinthe: The Green Fairy with a Kick
Absinthe has always had an air of mystique, known for its association with artists and writers who sought inspiration from its anise-flavored embrace. But behind its romanticized history lies a potent spirit ranging from 120 to 170 proof (60-85% alcohol). Drinking absinthe is like dancing with a fiery fairy—its herbal complexity tantalizes the taste buds, but its high alcohol content reminds you who’s in charge. Traditionally, it’s diluted with water to tame the burn and to release its vibrant, cloudy essence, a process that seems to honor the drink’s notorious reputation.
Bacardi 151: The Discontinued Legend
Once the go-to rum for those who wanted to add a spark to their party, Bacardi 151 clocked in at 151 proof (75.5% alcohol). It was the stuff of legend, and not just because it was flammable. Pouring a shot of this over-proof rum was like setting sail on a stormy sea—intense, exhilarating, and just a bit reckless. It carried bold notes of caramel and oak, but let’s be honest, most people were too busy wiping tears from their eyes to notice. Bacardi 151 was discontinued in 2016, perhaps for the safety of everyone involved, but its legacy lives on in stories and the occasional burnt cocktail napkin.
Cask Strength Whiskey: The Untamed Spirit
Cask strength whiskey is the spirit equivalent of a wild stallion. Bottled straight from the barrel without dilution, these whiskeys often range from 120 to 140 proof (60-70% alcohol). They offer an untamed taste profile with bold notes of oak, spice, and caramel. It’s a whiskey lover’s dream—or nightmare, depending on how you handle the burn. The beauty of cask strength is in its authenticity; it’s whiskey in its rawest form. Connoisseurs often add a splash of water to open up the flavors and soften the burn, revealing the intricate character beneath the fiery surface.
Overproof Rums: The Tropics with a Twist
Overproof rums like Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum (126 proof, 63% alcohol) bring the heat in more ways than one. Known for their bold, fruity, and estery notes, these rums are a staple in tiki bars and cocktail enthusiasts’ arsenals. They’re the life of the party, the spark that turns a quiet gathering into a roaring bonfire. The burn is immediate and intense, a reminder that you’re not just drinking a rum—you’re drinking an adventure. It’s not just the high proof that sets them apart; it’s the way they bring a tropical warmth to every sip, even if that warmth is akin to a volcano erupting on your tongue.
A Dance with Fire
High-proof spirits are not for the faint-hearted. They demand respect and a bit of caution, much like the emotional journey of a broken heart, as captured in songs like “Someone Light Me a Drink, Pour Me a Smoke.” These spirits serve as a metaphor for the intense highs and lows of life—fiery, potent, and leaving a lasting impression.
But why do we chase this burn? Perhaps it’s the thrill of the experience, the challenge of taming a drink that threatens to overwhelm the senses. Or maybe it’s just the pure absurdity of it—because who in their right mind would ask for a drink that’s more flame than flavor? Yet, in these moments of liquid bravery, we find a certain camaraderie with our fellow drinkers, each of us navigating the burn, one sip at a time.
Auf Wiedersehen and drink responsibly!
