10 Best Hangover Songs In Rock Music

Billy Joel Hangover songs

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“Our article, ’10 Best Hangover Songs in Rock Music,’ is filled with tracks that narrate the morning after. Some of these songs directly address the pain and sometimes embarrassment experienced on a Saturday or Sunday morning after a night of revelry—whether it was a blast or a bust. While most of these songs discuss hangovers in the context of drinking, there’s deeper material here, too. A hangover isn’t always strictly about alcohol; it can also involve other issues. Nonetheless, here are ten songs that promise to serve up an entertaining read and a fun listen.”

# 10 – In A Little While – U2

“Well, we open with a fun one by the Irish rock band U2. Without trying to get into stereotypes, although with a name such as Brian and being half Irish, I’ll just say that I think this was an appropriate band to start out a song list about drinking and hangovers. This one starts out with some great guitar work by The Edge. I could listen to him play guitar all day. Bono has said this song was written about a hangover. Although it might not sound like it because of the beautiful melody, it’s in there if you just listen to the lyrics: ‘When the night takes a deep breath, and the daylight has no air, if I crawl, if I come crawling home, will you be there?’ The song was released on U2’s tenth studio album, All That You Can’t Leave Behind. The album was released in 2000 and was produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois.”

# 9 – Stone Cold Sober – Rod Stewart

“If there was ever a rock and roll star who embodied the good-time party attitude, it was the legendary Rod Stewart. Just recently, he talked about his old partying days, saying that at his age, he’s had to slow down. ‘Stone Cold Sober’ was a tribute to those Saturday morning hangovers, with lyrics like ‘But on Thursday, prepare for your weekend, and let Friday disappear into Saturday morning, when you’re stone cold sober again.’ The song was released on Rod Stewart’s Atlantic Crossing album.”

# 8 – Sunday Morning After – Amanda Marshall

“If you’re not yet familiar with this song, I highly recommend watching the video below—it’s fantastic. Amanda Marshall has long been a favorite at ClassicRockHistory.com. Over the past three decades, she’s emerged as one of the great rocking female vocalists who has somewhat flown under the radar. Although she has a loyal fan base, her exceptional talent truly merits a broader audience. Don’t just take our word for it; watch the video below and see for yourself. The song is from her album Everybody’s Got a Story.” There’s no need to explain this one.

Read More: Top 10 Amanda Marshall Songs

# 7 – Morning After – The Criminals

“There’s nothing like a good hardcore punk song about being hungover to inject a little spice into the list. The entire song is about a hangover, but here’s the lyric we love the most: ‘The evil neighbors glare at me, they want us to move away. The yard’s an apocalypse of broken glass, neighbors always complain. Only twelve o’clock in the afternoon, at least it’s cloudy again.’ The song was released on the band’s 1997 album Never Been Caught. Nice cover!”

# 6 – “Tom Traubert’s Blues (Four Sheets To The Wind In Copenhagen)” – Tom Waits

“There is probably a lot more to this story than just a simple hangover, yet it seems to start there. The term ‘Waltzing Matilda’ is actually Australian slang for walking through the country looking for work, with one’s goods in a ‘Matilda’ (bag) carried over one’s back. There is a lot of sadness in this song, as it sings about trying to move on. The song first appeared on Tom Waits’ Small Change album.

“Tom Traubert’s Blues (Four Sheets to the Wind in Copenhagen)” by Tom Waits does indeed incorporate the phrase ‘Waltzing Matilda’ within its lyrics, but it tells a deeper story, often interpreted as a tale of loneliness, displacement, and heartache rather than just a simple hangover. This poignant narrative is woven into music and beautifully intertwines the traditional Australian song ‘Waltzing Matilda’ with a narrative of despair and wandering. It appeared on Waits’ 1976 album Small Change, portraying a deep emotional landscape of sadness and longing. The song delves into themes of alienation and sorrow, making it a powerful piece that resonates on several emotional levels.”

# 5 – Sunday Morning Coming Down – Johnny Cash

“Sunday Morning Coming Down” might not be considered classic rock by some, but we don’t mind—it’s such a great song that we’re making sure to include it on this list. And if you don’t see the connection between classic rock and Johnny Cash or Kris Kristofferson, then you’re not listening closely enough. Written by Kris Kristofferson, the songs captures the essence of a hangover through both its lyrics and the mournful melody that underpins the narrative. The song opens with the singer waking up on a Sunday morning, grappling with a throbbing headache and an existential kind of solitude, evident from lines like, “Well, I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt.” This y sets the scene of a hangover, not just through physical symptoms but also through the lens of reflective sadness that often accompanies the morning after excessive drinking.

Kris Kristofferson’s ability to weave complex emotions into simple, relatable scenarios made this song resonate deeply with audiences, leading to its widespread acclaim and cover versions by numerous artists. The most notable cover, which arguably eclipsed the original in terms of popularity, was by Johnny Cash. Cash’s rendition brought a raw, authenticity to the song, which was aligned with his personal struggles and the man-in-black persona. His version, released in 1970, became an instant classic.

# 4 – Cheap Sunglasses – ZZ Top

“Cheap Sunglasses” by ZZ Top might not explicitly mention hangovers, but it’s easy to see how it can be tied into the theme of a hangover song. The gritty, blues-infused rock track from ZZ Top’s 1979 album Degüello delves into the realm of cool detachment and the need for a bit of anonymity after a wild night out—themes not far removed from the aftermath of heavy drinking.

The song’s lyrics celebrate the simple pleasure of wearing a pair of inexpensive sunglasses, which perfectly captures the morning-after scenario where one might want to shield their eyes from the harsh daylight after a night of excess. The sunglasses serve as a metaphor for protection and a buffer from the world, akin to how one might feel vulnerable and in need of a shield during a hangover. The opening riff, combined with the swagger of the lyrics, brings a sense of rugged, carefree attitude that aligns well with the disheveled yet defiant mood often found in songs about recovering from a night of drinking.

Moreover, the act of putting on “cheap sunglasses” symbolizes a way to cover up the night’s consequences—bloodshot eyes and a weary face—making it a perfect accessory for the morning after. In this way, “Cheap Sunglasses” can be seen as an anthem for those rough mornings, providing a rock ‘n’ roll remedy to the common hangover.

# 3 – Big Shot – Billy Joel

I think most people will think of this one when they hear the term hangover songs. “Big Shot” by Billy Joel, from his 1978 album 52nd Street, captures the essence of a hangover both in so many ways. The song recounts the story of someone who, after a night of overindulgence, wakes up to the stark consequences of their actions. (Supposbay he was talking about Bianca Jagger, but who really knows) With lyrics like “You had to be a big shot, didn’t you? You had to open up your mouth,” Joel highlights the social and emotional aftermath of behaving arrogantly under the influence of alcohol.

However, the song also explicitly addresses the physical symptoms of a hangover. The line “You wake up in the morning with your head on fire and your eyes too bloody to see” directly points to the painful reality of a hangover, illustrating the headache and bloodshot eyes that often accompany excessive drinking. This dual portrayal makes “Big Shot” a compelling narrative about the repercussions of overindulgence, blending both the figurative “hangover” of regret with the literal pain of alcohol overconsumption.

# 2 – We All Had A Really Good Time – Edgar Winter

Edgar Winter’s “We All Had a Real Good Time” from his 1972 album They Only Come Out at Night captures the essence of a raucous night out with its lively and upbeat tempo. While it doesn’t explicitly mention hangovers, the song’s celebratory tone and recollections of a night filled with fun and abandon indirectly set the stage for the inevitable aftermath of such evenings.

The lyrics, “Remember when you didn’t feel quite so bad / What happened to those times we once had,” subtly nod to the nostalgia and perhaps mild regret that often accompanies the clarity of the morning after. The upbeat rock rhythms and energetic delivery suggest the highs of the night’s revelry, which are typically followed by the contrasting lows of a hangover.

In the context of a hangover song, “We All Had a Real Good Time” serves as a reminder of the good times that lead to less pleasant mornings. It’s a celebration of living in the moment, yet the subtext is a playful acknowledgment of the consequences of overindulgence. This makes it a fitting track to play when reminiscing about the night before or even as a lighthearted take on nursing a hangover. The song resonates with anyone who’s ever looked back on a fun night out and thought, “It was worth it,” despite the headache the next day.

# 1 – Do You Feel Like I Do? – Peter Frampton

“Some songs instantly grab you with the first couple of notes, and this one does that tenfold. The studio version of this song is pretty good, but the live version is just phenomenal. Besides the incredible music featured in this song, the opening lyric ‘Whose line, what line, where the hell did I dine?’ perfectly captures the trauma, shock, and memory loss of a hangover more vividly than any other lyric we’ve ever heard. Of course, anyone who’s been around for the past 40-50 years would know that this song is the highlight of a double record set that skyrocketed record sales on the charts and changed the entire landscape of the music industry. It doesn’t get more classic than this.”

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