We take you behind the scenes and explore the making of one of our favorite tunes with The Song Remembers When…
In 2017, Midland released their debut single, “Drinkin’ Problem,” and it peaked inside the Top 5 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. The song went on to receive two Grammy nominations the following year. It was written by the trio, along with songwriters Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.
Lead vocalist Mark Wystrach remembers that the trio’s Jess Carson had said that he was a big fan of the late Gary Stewart. Gary was a popular country artist in the ‘70s, who had a big hit called “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles).” (You can watch Midland talk about Gary Stewart’s influence in this 2017 interview with Kix here.) It was at that point when Shane and Josh knew the “sound” they would create.
Now, Josh Osborne had been holding onto an idea that came to him after watching an episode of the TV show M*A*S*H. The idea was inspired when one of the characters was asked if he had a drinking problem to which he responded, “I have no problem drinking at all.”
It became the trio’s first single, which ultimately would be certified platinum, and it’s this week’s The Song Remembers When – Midland with “Drinkin’ Problem.”
