Dial Drunk

Album

Stick Season

Label

Republic Records

Genre

Dance-pop

Composer(s)

NOAH KAHAN;NOAH LEVINE

Entered Chart

Jun 24, 2023

Peak Date

Aug 5, 2023

In this raw and introspective narrative, Noah Kahan finds himself in a dire situation, having just been arrested for drunk driving and desperately needing help. Struggling with his own demons and breaking a promise, he dials his ex's phone number, which he knows will go unanswered. From the very beginning of the song, the tone is set, as he reflects on the irony of remembering his promise not to contact his ex, yet succumbing to the allure of the past while under the influence of alcohol. Kahan tries to distance himself from the blame in the first verse, attributing his actions to the drowning effect of his chosen coping mechanism. His medicine, in the form of alcohol, drowns out his perspective, leading him to deny any fault in his continued contact with his ex against her wishes. During the chorus, regret washes over him as he acknowledges the unsavory aspects of his past that contributed to the demise of their relationship. Kahan confesses his shame at the physical abuse he inflicted on her. 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 being young, drunk, and alone Kahan places all his hopes on a single call, relying on the person he once loved to come through for him in his time of need. I gave your name as my emergency phone call Honey, it rang and rang, even the cops thought you were wrong for hanging up I dial drunk, I'll die a drunk, I'll die for you His ex hangs up on the police, rejecting any obligation to assist the vulnerable vocalist. She remains his sole lifeline in this moment, as he grapples with his emotions. As morning approaches, Kahan vows to forget, left only with the haunting sound of the dial tone, a stark reminder of an unanswered call. The story told in the banjo-led song is completely fictional. "I do just want to emphasize that not every song I make is directly about my life experience," said Kahan. "'Dial' lyrics are not meant to glorify the behavior as much as tell a story about a desperate burnout clinging onto a relationship." Republic Records released "Dial Drunk" on June 9, 2023 as part of the deluxe edition of Kahan's Stick Season album. Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever) contains six new songs plus an extended version of the track "The View Between Villages." Kahan co-produced the album with Gabe Simon (Lana Del Rey's "Blue Banisters," James Bay's "Give Me The Reason," Jessie Murph's "Pray"). Noah Kahan wrote "Dial Drunk" with Noah Levine, also known as Noah In The Open. Berklee College of Music student Levine's talent as a guitarist first caught the attention of artists like Olivia O'Brien, Better Than Ezra, and Kahan himself. Impressed by Levine's playing on his Stick Season track "Homesick," Kahan invited him to join his band as his touring lead guitarist. The chemistry between the two Noahs sparked a creative synergy that resulted in two co-written tracks for Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever).

I'm remembering I promised to forget you now
But it's raining, and I'm calling drunk
And my medicine is drowning your perspective out
So I ain't taking any fault

Am I honest still? Am I half the man I used to be?
I doubt it, forget about it, whatever
It's all the same, anyways

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 being 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 hanging up
I dial drunk, I'll die a drunk, I'd die for you

I'm untethering from the parts of me you'd recognize
From charming to alarming in seconds
I'll be bedridden, and I'll let the pain metastasize
But that's morning, I'll forget it

And the dial tone is all I have

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 being 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 hanging up
I dial drunk, I'll die a drunk, I'd die for you

I'd die for you

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?"

And I said
I ain't proud of all the punches that I've thrown
In the name of someone I no longer know (I no longer know)
For the shame of being 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 hanging up
I dial drunk, I'll die a drunk, I'd die for you