About the song
“Two More Bottles of Wine” is one of the most spirited and beloved songs in the catalog of Emmylou Harris, the iconic American singer celebrated for blending country, rock, and folk traditions into a sound uniquely her own. Released in 1978 as the lead single from her album Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town, the song became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, affirming Harris’s position as one of the most compelling voices in late-20th-century country music.
Written by Delbert McClinton, the track combines barroom storytelling with a touch of humor, independence, and emotional resilience. Through Harris’s warm, energetic interpretation, “Two More Bottles of Wine” becomes more than just a drinking song—it transforms into a statement of strength and survival in the face of love’s disappointments and life’s unpredictability.
Background and Historical Context
By the time Emmylou Harris recorded Two More Bottles of Wine, she was already one of the most respected figures in the country-rock scene. After her early collaborations with Gram Parsons, Harris had developed a musical style that bridged the traditional country sound of artists like Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn with the more free-spirited energy of the rock and folk movements.
Her band, the Hot Band, was composed of some of Nashville’s finest musicians—many of whom had played with Parsons and other key figures in the 1970s country-rock revival. The result was a distinctive sound: rich harmonies, crisp instrumentation, and a sense of authenticity that appealed to both country purists and contemporary audiences.
Released in early 1978, “Two More Bottles of Wine” fit perfectly into that landscape. Country music was evolving rapidly—urban cowboy themes and crossover hits were on the horizon—but Harris remained rooted in storytelling and human emotion. Her choice to record McClinton’s song reflected her instinct for material that carried both grit and heart.
Story and Themes
At its core, “Two More Bottles of Wine” is a story of resilience and self-reliance. The narrator recounts moving to Los Angeles with her lover, full of dreams about finding success and happiness. But soon after they arrive, the man leaves, and she’s left alone in a tough, uncertain city. Yet instead of despairing, she shrugs it off, finding solace in simple pleasures—specifically, “two more bottles of wine.”
“We came out west together with a common desire,
The fever we had might’ve set the west coast on fire.
Two months later got trouble in mind—
My baby moved out and left me behind.”
These lines establish the song’s central conflict: the collapse of a shared dream. But what’s striking about the narrator’s response is her attitude. Rather than surrendering to sadness, she maintains her humor and defiance. In the chorus, she sings:
“That’s all right ‘cause it’s midnight,
And I got two more bottles of wine.”
This refrain is playful, yet deeply symbolic. The “two bottles of wine” represent more than alcohol—they’re a metaphor for coping, independence, and self-soothing. The narrator’s acceptance of her situation reveals emotional maturity; she’s not bitter or broken, just realistic and determined to carry on.
Harris’s version brings out the feminine strength in this perspective. In an era when many country songs portrayed women as victims of heartbreak, “Two More Bottles of Wine” offers a woman who refuses to wallow. She might be lonely, but she’s still laughing, still singing, and still standing on her own two feet.
Musical Composition and Performance
Musically, “Two More Bottles of Wine” is a rollicking blend of honky-tonk and country rock. The arrangement features electric guitar twang, lively piano fills, steel guitar, and a driving rhythm section that gives the song a sense of movement and momentum—mirroring the narrator’s forward-looking spirit.
Emmylou Harris’s vocal performance is radiant and full of character. She doesn’t sing with sorrow; instead, she delivers the lyrics with confidence, warmth, and a touch of mischief. Her phrasing is light and rhythmic, emphasizing the conversational quality of the story. You can almost picture her smiling through the song, shrugging off life’s troubles with grace and humor.
Backing harmonies from the Hot Band add depth and energy, creating the lively, communal atmosphere of a crowded barroom or honky-tonk dance floor. The song’s upbeat tempo and swinging groove contrast beautifully with its bittersweet lyrics—an approach that keeps it from becoming a sad ballad and instead makes it a celebration of endurance.
Cultural and Emotional Resonance
“Two More Bottles of Wine” became one of Emmylou Harris’s most popular songs not only because of its catchy rhythm but because it embodied her artistic identity. Like many of her best recordings, it balances traditional country storytelling with a modern sensibility. It’s a song about heartbreak, but also about freedom—the freedom to live life on one’s own terms, even when things fall apart.
The song’s popularity also reflected a subtle shift in the portrayal of women in country music during the late 1970s. While earlier generations of female country artists often focused on devotion and loss, Harris (along with contemporaries like Dolly Parton and Rosanne Cash) presented women as independent, emotionally complex, and self-sufficient. In that context, “Two More Bottles of Wine” stands as both a drinking song and a declaration of personal strength.
Over the years, the song has been covered by several artists, including Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride, and Delbert McClinton himself, but Harris’s version remains definitive. It continues to resonate with listeners who recognize themselves in its mix of laughter, sadness, and defiance.
Legacy and Conclusion
Nearly five decades after its release, “Two More Bottles of Wine” endures as one of Emmylou Harris’s signature songs. It captures the spirit of her artistry: emotionally honest, musically adventurous, and unafraid to blend humor with heartbreak.
The song’s timeless appeal lies in its simple truth—life doesn’t always go as planned, but we find ways to keep going, to laugh, and to raise a glass to tomorrow. In Emmylou Harris’s hands, “Two More Bottles of Wine” becomes more than a country tune about lost love; it’s an anthem of survival, a toast to resilience, and a reminder that even in life’s hardest moments, we can still find a reason to sing.