WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:13.240
Callaroga shark media. In the storied tradition of country music,
2
00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:16.920
few themes are as enduring as heartbreak and the liquid
3
00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:22.359
courage used to survive it. Morgan Wolland's Whiskey Glasses, released
4
00:00:22.399 --> 00:00:25.640
in twenty eighteen as the third single from his debut
5
00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:28.640
album If I Know Me, is a masterful addition to
6
00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:33.159
this canon, a perfect fusion of traditional country storytelling and
7
00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:37.799
contemporary production that connected with listeners far beyond country music's
8
00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:42.399
typical audience. But to truly understand the impact of Whiskey Glasses,
9
00:00:42.759 --> 00:00:45.880
we need to step back and trace Morgan Wollan's unlikely
10
00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:49.640
journey from small town athlete to reluctant singer to one
11
00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:55.840
of country music's most polarizing superstars. Morgan Cole Wollan was
12
00:00:55.840 --> 00:00:59.799
born in nineteen ninety three in Sneadville, Tennessee, a small
13
00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.240
Appalachian town with a population of less than one thousand,
14
00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:07.120
five hundred. Raised in a religious household where his father
15
00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:11.840
was a Baptist pastor, Wollan's first musical experiences came through church.
16
00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:15.239
But unlike many country stars who grew up dreaming of
17
00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:20.319
Nashville's bright lights, Wollan's early ambitions centered on baseball. A
18
00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:24.120
talented picture with a promising future, his athletic career was
19
00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:27.280
derailed by an elbow injury during his senior year of
20
00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:31.519
high school, a devastating setback that would unexpectedly set him
21
00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:35.840
on a path toward music. At his mother's encouragement, Wollen
22
00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:40.480
auditioned for NBC's singing competition The Voice in twenty fourteen,
23
00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:46.120
despite having limited performing experience. His raspy, distinctive voice earned
24
00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:49.480
him a spot on Usher's team before being stolen by
25
00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:53.359
Adam Levine. Though he was eliminated during the playoff rounds,
26
00:01:53.640 --> 00:01:57.680
the experience ignited something in Wollen. I didn't even know
27
00:01:57.719 --> 00:02:00.840
if I was any good, he later recalled, but people
28
00:02:00.920 --> 00:02:03.480
told me I was, so I decided to see where
29
00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:07.920
it could take me. Following his elimination, Wollen moved to
30
00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:11.280
Nashville and began the hard work of developing his craft,
31
00:02:11.759 --> 00:02:15.840
co writing with established songwriters and performing wherever he could.
32
00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:21.000
His distinctive mullet hair style and laid back, authentic persona
33
00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:24.479
helped him stand out in a crowded field of aspiring
34
00:02:24.599 --> 00:02:29.280
country artists. After signing with Big Loud Records in twenty sixteen,
35
00:02:29.719 --> 00:02:33.280
he released his debut single, The Way I Talk, which
36
00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:37.719
showcased his proudly Southern accent and established his musical identity.
37
00:02:38.599 --> 00:02:42.400
Wallan's debut album, If I Know Me arrived in twenty eighteen,
38
00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:47.520
featuring the moderately successful lead single Up Down featuring Florida
39
00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:51.400
Georgia line, but it was Whiskey Glasses, written by Ben
40
00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:54.960
Burgess and Kevin Kadish, that would become his breakthrough hit,
41
00:02:55.479 --> 00:02:58.960
a song that perfectly captured his voice, style and the
42
00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:03.319
evolving sound of contemporary country music. Released at a time
43
00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:07.680
when country was increasingly incorporating elements of pop, rock and
44
00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:12.080
hip hop, Whisky Glasses struck the perfect balance between tradition
45
00:03:12.479 --> 00:03:17.439
and innovation, setting the stage for Wollan's meteoric rise. What
46
00:03:17.639 --> 00:03:21.879
makes Whisky Glasses so enduringly powerful is its perfect blend
47
00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:27.439
of melody, wordplay, and emotional authenticity. Let's break it down.
48
00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:32.719
The melody of Whisky Glasses demonstrates remarkable craftsmanship in its
49
00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:37.000
ability to shift emotional gears throughout the song. The verses
50
00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:41.879
begin with a restrained, almost conversational quality that draws listeners
51
00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:46.400
into the narrator's heartbreak. Wollan delivers lines like I've been
52
00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:49.719
sitting here drinking on my own with a nuanced blend
53
00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:53.919
of resignation and raw pain, setting up the emotional stakes
54
00:03:53.960 --> 00:03:57.800
of the song. The pre chorus introduces a subtle shift,
55
00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:01.599
with the melody gradually ascending as Wollen sings, so I'm
56
00:04:01.639 --> 00:04:05.919
going to need some whisky glasses. This ascending pattern creates
57
00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:09.840
a sense of building determination, a man gathering the courage
58
00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:13.879
to face his heartbreak. This leads perfectly into the chorus,
59
00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:18.199
where the melody explodes with an anthemic quality that transforms
60
00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:23.560
private pain into communal catharsis. The chorus melody is particularly
61
00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:26.879
effective in how it mirrors the emotional journey described in
62
00:04:26.920 --> 00:04:31.199
the lyrics. The hook I Need some whisky Glasses because
63
00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:33.800
I don't want to see the truth features a melody
64
00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:37.959
that rises and falls like waves of emotion, capturing both
65
00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:41.399
the momentary relief of numbing the pain and the inevitable
66
00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:45.879
crash that follows. This melodic roller coaster makes the chorus
67
00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:49.839
instantly memorable while conveying the complex emotions at the heart
68
00:04:49.879 --> 00:04:54.360
of the song. The structure of Whisky Glasses follows country
69
00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:58.720
music's traditional verse chorus form, but executes it with precision
70
00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:03.240
and purpose. The song opens with a brief instrumental introduction
71
00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:07.959
that establishes the contemporary production style, a blend of traditional
72
00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:12.120
country instrumentation with subtle programming elements that place the song
73
00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:16.600
firmly in the modern era. The first verse efficiently establishes
74
00:05:16.639 --> 00:05:19.839
the narrative a man drinking alone after a break up,
75
00:05:20.120 --> 00:05:23.160
seeking enough liquid courage to numb the pain of seeing
76
00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:26.639
his ex with someone new. The pre chorus acts as
77
00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:30.399
a bridge between private misery and the determination to overcome it,
78
00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:35.040
building tension that's released in the explosive chorus. The second
79
00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:39.160
verse deepens the emotional stakes with details like you look
80
00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:42.759
like you're so in love and you both seem so perfect,
81
00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:46.639
adding specific pain points that make the narrator's heartbreak more
82
00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:50.360
vivid and relatable. The repetition of the pre chorus and
83
00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:54.319
chorus feels earned rather than redundant, as listeners are now
84
00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:58.800
more invested in the narrator's emotional journey. The bridge introduces
85
00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:02.519
a new element, the narrator addressing the bartender directly with
86
00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:06.920
keep them coming till I can't feel nothing. This shift
87
00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:11.480
from introspection to interaction creates a moment of dynamic contrast,
88
00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:15.519
before returning to the chorus for the song's final emotional peak.
89
00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:20.600
The structure creates a satisfying emotional arc that mirrors the
90
00:06:20.680 --> 00:06:26.079
experience of drinking to numb pain, initial hurt, growing determination,
91
00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:31.800
temporary relief, and the inevitable return to reality. The lyrics
92
00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:36.439
of Whiskey Glasses showcase exceptional songwriting in their ability to
93
00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:41.079
transform a familiar country music theme, drinking to forget, into
94
00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:45.920
something fresh and compelling. The opening lines immediately establish the
95
00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:50.199
song's central conceit with vivid economy. I've been sitting here
96
00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:54.279
drinking on my own, wondering what you've been doing. In
97
00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:58.639
just two lines, we understand the narrator's situation and emotional state.
98
00:06:59.399 --> 00:07:02.800
The pre core worus introduces the clever wordplay that gives
99
00:07:02.839 --> 00:07:06.160
the song its title and thematic hook. So I'm going
100
00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:08.879
to need some whisky glasses because I don't want to
101
00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:13.319
see the truth. This double meaning of whisky glasses, both
102
00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:17.040
the glasses containing the alcohol and the metaphorical glasses through
103
00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:20.279
which the narrator will view the world, elevates the song
104
00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:24.319
beyond a simple drinking anthem into something more poetic and resonant.
105
00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:28.759
The chorus expands on this concept with lyrics that balance
106
00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:33.439
clever wordplay with raw emotion. I need some whisky glasses
107
00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:35.800
because I don't want to see the truth if I'm
108
00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:39.000
going to make it through without breaking down and missing you.
109
00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:42.680
The phrase line them up and knock them back has
110
00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:46.639
a satisfying rhythmic quality that mimics the act it describes,
111
00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:51.240
making it both catchy and evocative. The second verse adds
112
00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:55.079
specificity to the heartbreak, with details about seeing the X
113
00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:59.480
with someone new, making the narrator's pain more tangible and relatable.
114
00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:03.519
Lines like you both seem so perfect you know that
115
00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:09.000
it hurts balance conversational directness with emotional depth, exactly the
116
00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:13.040
kind of straightforward yet affecting lyrics that define the best
117
00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:18.319
country songwriting. The bridge's address to the bartender, Hey, bartender,
118
00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:21.240
line them up, Line them up, Line them up, Line
119
00:08:21.279 --> 00:08:25.160
them up creates a moment of immediacy and desperation that
120
00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:29.600
serves as the song's emotional climax. The repetition here isn't
121
00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:34.360
lazy writing, but purposeful emphasis, capturing the increasing urgency of
122
00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:38.360
the narrator's desire to escape his feelings. At its core,
123
00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:43.120
Whiskey Glasses is about the universal experience of heartbreak and
124
00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:47.159
the temporary solace sought in alcohol. What elevates the song
125
00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:52.080
beyond this familiar theme is Morgan Wallen's performance. The authenticity
126
00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:55.360
in his vocal delivery, the slight catch in his voice
127
00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:59.759
during emotional moments, and his ability to convey both vulnerability
128
00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:04.759
and resilience. His distinctive voice, with its raspy edges and
129
00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:08.519
strong Southern accent, gives the song a character and identity
130
00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:13.039
that helped it stand out in the crowded country music landscape.
131
00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:16.840
The production, handled by Joey moy, known for his work
132
00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:22.000
with Florida Georgia Lyne, perfectly balances traditional country elements with
133
00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:28.159
contemporary touches. The prominent steel guitar maintains country authenticity, while
134
00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:32.000
the programmed beats and polished sound design appealed to listeners
135
00:09:32.039 --> 00:09:36.919
beyond traditional country audiences. This sonic balancing act would become
136
00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:41.080
increasingly characteristic of Wallen's music, helping him bridge the gap
137
00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:46.159
between country traditionalists and fans of other genres. More in
138
00:09:46.240 --> 00:10:00.440
a moment, Whiskey Glasses became a pivotal moment in Morgan
139
00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:04.679
Wallen's career, climbing to number one on Billboard's Country Airplay
140
00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:10.240
chart in June twenty nineteen and earning platinum certification. The
141
00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:13.960
song's crossover appeal helped it reach number seventeen on the
142
00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:18.159
Billboard Hot one hundred, introducing Wollen to a wider audience
143
00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:22.639
and setting the stage for his explosive rise to superstardom.
144
00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:27.440
Its music video, which alternates between Wollan's charismatic performance and
145
00:10:27.559 --> 00:10:31.200
scenes of the heartbroken narrator's night out, has amassed over
146
00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:35.360
two hundred million views on YouTube, becoming a visual touchstone
147
00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:38.639
for the new wave of country stars reshaping the genre.
148
00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:43.039
In the years following Whiskey Glasses, Wollan's career has been
149
00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:48.840
defined by both extraordinary success and significant controversy. His twoenty
150
00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:53.919
twenty one sophomore double album Dangerous shattered streaming records, spending
151
00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:57.240
a historic ten consecutive weeks at number one on the
152
00:10:57.279 --> 00:11:02.000
Billboard two hundred, an unprecedented achievement for a country album.
153
00:11:02.279 --> 00:11:06.720
Singles like seven Summers, more Than My Hometown, and Wasted
154
00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:10.120
On You further established him as one of country music's
155
00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:14.840
most commercially successful artists, with a sound that increasingly incorporated
156
00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:19.120
elements of rock, pop, and hip hop while maintaining country's
157
00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:23.679
lyrical traditions. However, Wollen's career has also been marked by
158
00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:28.639
public missteps and controversies. In February twenty twenty one, a
159
00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:32.320
video surfaced of Wollen using a racial slur, leading to
160
00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:36.759
temporary suspension from his label, removal from radio playlists, and
161
00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:41.840
in eligibility for certain award shows. Despite these industry sanctions,
162
00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:46.399
his album sales and streaming numbers actually increased following the controversy,
163
00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:51.840
highlighting the complex relationship between artistic success and personal behavior
164
00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:56.320
in contemporary music. After a period of reflection and apology,
165
00:11:56.679 --> 00:12:00.240
Wollan returned to the spotlight with his twenty twenty three
166
00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:04.519
album One Thing at a Time, continuing his commercial dominance.
167
00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:09.519
The album's thirty six tracks blended country, pop and hip
168
00:12:09.559 --> 00:12:13.879
hop influences even more boldly than his previous work, reflecting
169
00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:18.240
Wollan's position as an artist reshaping country music's sonic boundaries.
170
00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:24.159
Beyond the controversies, Wollan's musical influence has been substantial. His
171
00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:27.200
success has helped usher in a new era of country
172
00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:31.279
music that draws more openly from other genres while maintaining
173
00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:37.000
country's emphasis on storytelling and authenticity. Artists like Hardy Ernest
174
00:12:37.080 --> 00:12:40.960
and Bailey Zimmerman have followed in his footsteps, creating music
175
00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:44.559
that appeals to younger listeners who might not otherwise gravitate
176
00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:49.720
toward country. Wollan's willingness to incorporate his influences from beyond
177
00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:53.720
country music he cited artists from Eric Church to Lil
178
00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:59.320
Wayne as inspirations, has helped expand country's stylistic palette, creating
179
00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:04.039
space for greater experimentation within the genre. His vocal style,
180
00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:08.200
with its distinctive rasp and phrasing influenced by hip hop,
181
00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:12.960
has become increasingly common among newer country artists, establishing a
182
00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:15.720
new template for what a country singer can sound like.
183
00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:20.080
As we look back on Whisky Glasses today, it's evident
184
00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:24.960
that the song represented the perfect introduction to Wollen's artistic identity,
185
00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:29.360
a blend of traditional country themes with contemporary production and
186
00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:33.679
delivery that would come to define his subsequent work. The
187
00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:38.759
song's success demonstrated country music's continuing ability to evolve while
188
00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:43.399
remaining connected to its thematic roots, capturing timeless emotions through
189
00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:47.960
fresh sonic approaches. The song also offers interesting insight into
190
00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:52.600
country music's enduring fascination with alcohol as both problem and solution.
191
00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:57.639
Unlike previous generations, of drinking songs that often romanticize the
192
00:13:57.679 --> 00:14:02.320
barroom lifestyle, Whisky glos Glasses presents a more nuanced view
193
00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:06.960
alcohol as temporary escape rather than permanent solution, a way
194
00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:10.039
to get through the night rather than a sustainable lifestyle.
195
00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:15.159
This reflects changing attitudes toward drinking in contemporary culture, where
196
00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:18.919
its potential pitfalls are more openly acknowledged, even while its
197
00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:23.960
social function is still celebrated. So press play on Whisky
198
00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:27.759
Glasses and let its blend of heartbreak and temporary relief.
199
00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:32.440
Traditional themes and contemporary sound remind you of country music's
200
00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:38.080
enduring ability to capture universal human experiences. Whether you're singing
201
00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:42.279
along to its arena ready chorus, appreciating its clever wordplay,
202
00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:46.559
or simply connecting with its emotional honesty, the song's impact
203
00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:51.360
is undeniable. For in the end, Whisky Glasses isn't just
204
00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:55.159
a song. It's a bridge between country music's storied past
205
00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:59.159
and its evolving future, a testament to Morgan Wollen's distinctive
206
00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:02.600
voice and perspect and a reminder that sometimes the most
207
00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:06.600
universal songs come from the most specific emotions, And with
208
00:15:06.679 --> 00:15:10.879
every listen it reaffirms country music's power to transform pain
209
00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:15.639
into poetry, heartbreak into harmony, and personal struggles into shared
210
00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:20.279
experiences that connect us all regardless of our musical preferences
211
00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:25.759
or personal backgrounds. I'm Andrew Irons and this has been
212
00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:29.679
another engaging episode of The hit Maker Chronicles. Join us
213
00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:32.720
next week as we continue to uncover the stories behind
214
00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:36.000
the songs and artists that have left an indelible mark
215
00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:39.000
on the world. The hit Maker Chronicles is a production
216
00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:43.960
of Calarogus Shark Media executive producers Mark Francis and John McDermott.
217
00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:46.840
Portions of this podcast may have been created with the
218
00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:48.200
assistance of AI