When Noah Kahan’s emotionally charged Dial Drunk found its way to the airwaves in 2023, it struck a chord with listeners, weaving together themes of heartbreak and regret with a folk-infused sound.
The subsequent remix featuring Post Malone, released on July 17, 2023, elevated the song’s impact, blending Kahan’s poignant storytelling with Malone’s unique vocal style.
This track, part of the re-released edition of Kahan’s album Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), exemplifies the power of collaboration in music, drawing from both artists’ strengths to create something truly special.
The Story Behind “Dial Drunk”
Originally featured as a solo effort on Noah Kahan’s album, Dial Drunk quickly garnered attention for its raw, honest lyrics and captivating melody.
The decision to collaborate with Post Malone came after a period of teasing and speculation, culminating in the July 17 release.
This partnership was a nod to the playful nickname “Folk Malone,” given to Kahan by his fans, which caught Malone’s attention and led to their creative convergence.
Crafting the “Dial Drunk” Lyrics and Sound
The song’s evocative lyrics were crafted by Noah Kahan, Post Malone, and Noah Levine, with production handled by Kahan and Gabe Simon.
This team brought together a fusion of folk and alternative elements, creating a sound that is both polished and deeply emotive.
The use of banjo and guitar adds a layer of authenticity, grounding the song’s narrative in a traditional folk aesthetic while allowing for modern influences to shine through.
Unpacking “Dial Drunk” Lyrics
Dial Drunk lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man grappling with the fallout of a broken relationship.
The opening verse sets the scene with the protagonist being escorted into a police car, a consequence of his inebriated actions.
The lyrics, “I ain’t proud of all the punches that I’ve thrown / In the name of someone I no longer know,” reveal a sense of regret and confusion as he struggles to reconcile his past actions with his present reality.
The chorus amplifies this desperation, as the protagonist gives his ex’s number as his emergency contact—a futile attempt to reach out amidst his turmoil.
The line, “I don’t like that when they threw me in the car / I gave your name as my emergency phone call,” underscores the depth of his longing and the stark reality of his situation.
Post Malone’s verse provides a complementary perspective, enriching the narrative with his distinctive vocal style and lyrical introspection.
His contribution, “Talking about last time I was in the back of a cop car, I fell in love / My face on the cold window, try to sober up and loosen my cuffs,” offers a raw glimpse into a shared experience of love and loss, enhancing the song’s emotional resonance.
Themes and Symbolism
The recurring theme of intoxication as a means of coping with heartache runs throughout the song.
The protagonist’s repeated attempts to contact his ex symbolise a deeper struggle with identity and self-worth, encapsulated in the refrain, “I dial drunk / I’d die a drunk / I’d die for you.”
This line poignantly captures the protagonist’s internal conflict and his dependence on alcohol to numb his pain.
The interplay between moments of introspection and alcohol-induced indifference creates a rich tapestry of emotion.
The protagonist’s journey is a stark commentary on the difficulty of moving on from a past relationship, highlighted by the police officers’ questioning of his mental state: “Son, are you a danger to yourself?”
Musical Composition and Impact
Musically, Dial Drunk stands out for its blend of folk and alternative sounds. The prominent banjo riff provides a jaunty yet melancholic backdrop, mirroring the protagonist’s conflicted emotions.
Kahan’s raw vocal delivery, combined with Post Malone’s distinct voice, creates a powerful and haunting soundscape.
Since its release, Dial Drunk has been met with widespread acclaim, resonating with listeners across different genres.
The song’s success on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 43, underscores its broad appeal and the impact of this unique collaboration.
Reflections from the Artists
Noah Kahan has expressed deep gratitude for the song’s reception and the opportunity to work with Post Malone.
In a heartfelt message shared with fans, Kahan reflected on the inspiration and connection that Dial Drunk has sparked.
He emphasised that while the song tells a story of desperation and heartbreak, it is not intended to glorify alcohol use but rather to shed light on the struggles of a “desperate burnout clinging onto a relationship.”
Conclusion
Dial Drunk by Noah Kahan and Post Malone is a masterful exploration of heartbreak and self-destruction, wrapped in a genre-blending package that appeals to a broad audience.
Its raw lyrics, coupled with the innovative collaboration between Kahan and Malone, make it a standout track in both artists’ discographies.
As we move through 2024, Dial Drunk remains a poignant reminder of the power of music to convey complex emotions and tell deeply human stories.
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Noah Kahan & Post Malone Dial Drunk Lyrics
Verse 1: Noah Kahan
I’m rememberin’ I promised to forget you now
But it’s rainin’ and I’m callin’ drunk
And my medicine is drownin’ your perspective out
So I ain’t takin’ any fault
Am I honest still? Am I half the man I used to be?
I doubt it, forget about it, whatever
And the dial tone is all I have
Chorus: Noah Kahan
I ain’t proud of all the punches that I’ve thrown
In the name of someone I no longer know
For the shame of bein’ young, drunk, and alone
Traffic lights and a transmitter radio
I don’t like that when they threw me in the car
I gave your name as my emеrgency phone call
Honey, it rang and rang
Evеn the cops thought you were wrong for hangin’ up
I dial drunk, I’ll die a drunk, I’d die for you
Post-Chorus: Post Malone
I’ll die
Verse 2: Post Malone, Noah Kahan & Post Malone
Drinks pourin’, couldn’t stop it
Turn another slow dance into a mosh pit
Tuck my head, then I heard the lock and
Told him that my first car was a Crown Vic
Talkin’ ’bout last time I was in the back of a cop car
I fell in love
And my face on the cold window
Try to sober back up and loosen my cuffs
And it’s all the same anyway
Chorus: Noah Kahan & Post Malone, Post Malone
Mm, I ain’t proud of all the punches that I’ve thrown
In the name of someone I no longer know
For the shame of bein’ young, drunk, and alone
Traffic lights and a transmitter radio
I don’t like that when they threw me in the car
I gave your name as my emergency phone call
Honey, it rang and rang
Even the cops thought you were wrong for hangin’ up
I dial drunk, I’ll die a drunk, I’d die for you
Post-Chorus: Noah Kahan
Well, I’d die for you
Bridge: Noah Kahan, Noah Kahan & Post Malone
I beg you, sir, just let me call
I’ll give you my blood alcohol
I’ll rot with all the burnouts in the cell
I’ll change my faith, I’ll praise the flag
Let’s wait, I swear she’ll call me back
“Son, are you a danger to yourself?”
Fuck that, sir, just let me call
I’ll give you my blood alcohol
I’ll rot with all the burnouts in the cell
I’ll change my faith, I’ll kiss the badge
Let’s wait, I swear she’ll call me back
“Son, why do you do this to yourself?”
Chorus: Noah Kahan & Post Malone,Post Malone,Noah Kahan
And I said I ain’t proud of all the punches that I’ve thrown, ah
In the name of someone I no longer know (I no longer know)
For the shame of bein’ young, drunk, and alone
Traffic lights and a transmitter radio, ah
I don’t like that when they threw me in the car
I gave your name as my emergency phone call
Honey, it rang and rang
Even the cops thought you were wrong for hangin’ up
I dial drunk, I’ll die a drunk, I’d die for you