It Ain't the Whiskey

"It Ain't the Whiskey" is a song written by Greg Barnhill, Jim Daddario and Cole Deggs, and recorded by American country music singer Gary Allan. It is the third and final single from his 2013 album Set You Free. To date, this is Allan's final top 40 single.

"It Ain't the Whiskey"
Single by Gary Allan
from the album Set You Free
ReleasedSeptember 23, 2013 (2013-09-23)[1]
Recorded2013
GenreCountry
Length4:21
LabelMCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)Greg Barnhill, Jim Daddario, Cole Deggs
Producer(s)Jay Joyce[2]
Gary Allan singles chronology
"Pieces"
(2013)		 "It Ain't the Whiskey"
(2013)		 "Hangover Tonight"
(2015)

Content

The song is a ballad with a "gnawing guitar solo and steel" that takes place at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. In it, the male narrator states that his life problems are not caused by substance abuse, but rather by a lost love.[1]

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country wrote that "After two uplifting singles, Gary Allan has become the dark, heartbroken and wretched singer his fans have loved for over a decade. ‘It Ain’t the Whiskey’ is his bread and butter, and the singer sounds better than ever on this highlight from the ‘Set You Free’ album."[3] Joseph Hudak of Country Weekly rated it "A", saying that "Yet for all of the intrinsic sadness of the lyrics…and the hypnotic production, the song doesn’t plod or bore. Rather, it captivates."[1]

Music video

The song's music video was released in December 2013. It is shot in black-and-white, and alternates between shots of Allan performing the song with his band, and shots of him portraying a character "who has lost love".[4]

Chart performance
Chart (2013-2014) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 40
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[6] 36

Certifications
Certifications for It Ain't the Whiskey
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Hudak, Joseph (14 October 2013). ""It Ain't the Whiskey" by Gary Allan". Country Weekly. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  2. "Set You Free". Discogs. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  3. Dukes, Billy (5 September 2013). "Gary Allan, 'It Ain't the Whiskey' – ToC Critic's Pick [Listen] Read More: Gary Allan, 'It Ain't the Whiskey' - ToC Critic's Pick". Taste of Country. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  4. Allers, Hannahlee (11 December 2013). "Gary Allan Releases 'It Ain't the Whiskey' Video". The Boot. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  5. "Gary Allan Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  6. "Gary Allan Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.
  7. "American single certifications – Gary Allan – It Ain't the Whiskey". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
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