About the song
“There’s a Tear in My Beer” is a country music classic that has been etched in the annals of history for its poignant lyrics and haunting melody. Written by the legendary Hank Williams, this song has undergone a transformation over the years, with multiple versions and interpretations that have captivated audiences worldwide. The original version, recorded by Big Bill Lister in 1952, was a product of Williams’ Nashville sessions in the early 1950s. However, Lister’s publisher and producer, Fred Rose, was hesitant to include references to alcohol in the song, leading Williams to give Lister a demo of the song instead.
Fast-forward to 1988, when Hank Williams Jr. decided to re-record the song with his father using electronic merging technology. This innovative approach allowed the two Hanks to come together in a way that seemed almost magical. The resulting duet was a critical and commercial success, earning the duo a Grammy award for Best Country Vocal Collaboration in 1990. The music video for the song, directed by Ethan Russell, was also a groundbreaking achievement in visual effects, combining footage of Hank Williams Sr. from a 1952 performance with his son’s vocals and guitar playing.
The video tells the story of Hank Jr. performing the song alone in an old house on a stormy night, only to be joined by his father’s ghostly apparition. The editing team’s use of digital technology to superimpose Hank Sr.’s mouth over an actor’s face was a pioneering achievement at the time, and the video’s success paved the way for future innovations in music video production. Today, “There’s a Tear in My Beer” remains a beloved country classic, with its themes of nostalgia, longing, and the power of music to transcend time and mortality continuing to resonate with listeners around the world.
Video
Lyrics
There’s a tear in my beer
‘Cause I’m cryin’ for you, dear
You are on my lonely mind
Into these last nine beers
I have shed a million tears
You are on my lonely mind
I’m gonna keep drinkin’
Until I’m petrified
And then maybe these tears
Will leave my eyes
There’s a tear in my beer
‘Cause I’m cryin’ for you dear
You are on my lonely mind
Last night, I walked the floor
And the night before
You are on my lonely mind
It seems my life is through
And I’m so doggone blue
You are on my lonely mind
I’m gonna keep drinkin’
‘Til I can’t move a toe
And then maybe my heart
Won’t hurt me so
There’s a tear in my beer
‘Cause I’m cryin’ for you dear
You are on my lonely mind
Lord, I’ve tried and I’ve tried
But my tears, I can’t hide
You are on my lonely mind
All these blues that I’ve found
Have really got me down
You are on my lonely mind
I’m a-gonna keep drinkin’ ’til I can’t even think
‘Cause in the last week, I ain’t slept a wink
There’s a tear in my beer
‘Cause I’m crying for you dear
You are on my lonely mind