B-side "Spanish Fandango" Format 78 rpm Genre Western swing | Released December 8, 1947 Recorded October 30, 1947 Label MGM Records 10116 | |
"Bubbles in My Beer" is a Western swing song that was originally recorded by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys in 1947. It later became a standard that has been performed by many country music artists. One critic of drinking songs ranks it number 20, calls it "the ultimate self-pity song," and credits it with "setting the tone for a whole genre of songs about drowning sorrows in the barroom."
Contents
The song's origins are the subject of different accounts (see Tommy Duncan for one); but there is agreement that Texas Playboys vocalist Duncan came up with the song's title and refrain, at which point songwriter Cindy Walker became involved. Walker has been quoted as saying: "If you can get a real good title, you’ve got something. I always write from the title. I’ve never written a song without the title."
Chart performance
In 1971, a cover version by Ray Pennington peaked at number 68 on Billboard's U.S. country singles chart.
Album versions
"Bubbles in My Beer" has appeared on albums by Bob Wills and several other notable country artists. The following list excludes compilations: