Crucial Track for August 8, 2025

"I Drink" by Mary Gauthier

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What song makes you want to forgive someone? - It's almost impossible to explain the compulsion to drink that active alcoholism causes. It's pathological, not logical. Presented with a mile-long list of reasons not to, an alcoholic who isn't in recovery will always choose the bottle. This song by Mary Gauthier includes the line "Birds fly, fish swim, I drink" which perfectly captures the nature of a real drunk. It's been nearly 17 years since I had my last drink, but there are plenty of stark reminders not to judge those still trapped in addiction.