Exciting things are happening in the world of country music. For example, Shaboozey had his first big hit with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” a country track that heavily samples J-Known’s “Tispy.” Few would expect a crunk anthem like “Tipsy” to become the template for a backwoods hit! However, Shaboozey’s song is better than J-Kwon’s in every way.
J-Kwon’s ‘Tipsy’ and Shaboozey’s ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ are iconic but only 1 is poignant
J-Kwon’s song encapsulated an era. Between its lyrics about alcohol, its stomping beat, and its undeniable chorus, it embodied the crunk movement. It’ll show up on 2000s R&B playlists for decades to come. However, it doesn’t have much emotional resonance or a melody.
Meanwhile, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is the rare drinking song that speaks to the soul. J-Kwon is drinking for fun, but Shaboozey is drinking out of desperation. In a tip of the hat to another famous country song, Shaboozey says he’s sick of working from 9 to 5, so he attempts to drown out his sorrows. His music has sparse, minimal production which makes the track more poignant and sad.
J-Kwon’s ‘Tipsy’ doesn’t have the greatest hook
On top of all that, Shaboozey has a better hook. That simple, repeated call of “Oh Lord” works so well. On one level, the line is a callback to country music’s long history of religiosity. On another level, it’s a subtle cry for help.
J-Kwon’s approach to hooks is a lot more blunt. “Tipsy” is the sort of song that’s catchy because it stomps all over the listener’s ears. It’s hard to forget once you’ve heard it, but it’s not the most pleasant listen. Time will tell, but it seems like “Tipsy” was a song for the moment, but “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” will stick around for a long time.
Shaboozey boldly said ‘I’m finally here’
During a 2024 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Shaboozey said that storytelling is part of his DNA. “My parents thought there was no way to make it in that world at all,” he said. “I was always telling stories, always trying to find ways to create something. Maybe that was a short film with my friends, or writing, but I was always drawn to telling stories.”
The singer gave fans some insight into his creative process. “It’s all very organic,” Shaboozey said. “I just see things that inspire me, and I don’t think too much about why — I just follow my response. Whether it’s a vintage magazine, a movie, a pair of jeans, or a classic car, I just pay attention to what it makes me feel, and somehow that gets translated into music.”
While the future of the singer’s career is unclear, he feels like he’s made it. “I’ve been going to all of these places I’ve never been before, and every day that I wake up, it’s something new,” he said. “It feels like I’m finally here. There were a lot of challenges, places that I could’ve stopped or given up, but it was all part of the journey. And now I’m just looking forward.”
Shaboozey might not be here to stay. At the very least, he gave us an evergreen summer banger.
