Shaboozey Breaks Down 'A Bar Song (Tipsy), Talks Beyoncé, Zach Bryan and More | The Breakdown

When Shaboozey was writing “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” he wanted to keep the arrangements sounding as organic as possible. He built the track around J-Kwon’s 2004 hit “Tipsy,” and within an hour, he had his very own ode to raising a glass - with a country twist. The megahit quickly went viral and topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart, surpassing “Texas Hold ’Em” by Beyoncé. (Shaboozey had actually teamed up with her for two songs on her recent country LP, Cowboy Carter.) Together, they became the first two Black artists to lead that chart back-to-back. The Influences Around the time that he wrote the song, Shaboozey had been listening to a lot of music by artists like Zach Bryan and the Lumineers. But although he was inspired by their stripped-back acoustics, he was also channeling hip-hop heavyweights like Pharrell Williams for the four-to-the-floor instrumental breakdown. (And of course, he wanted to pay homage to J-Kwon’s knack for partying.) “Some people said it reminds them of [Oasis’] ‘Wonderwall,’ ” Shaboozey says. “I don’t hear it.” All Together Now In the same way that J-Kwon captured the essence of the club on “Tipsy,” Shaboozey wanted his song to channel the liveliness of a packed dive bar. Shaboozey achieved the stomp-and-shout elements of the single by bringing in friends to layer on vocals. “We love incorporating gang vocals and all our friends singing things,” the Nigerian American musician says. “I think the more energy and the more people you put on a song, the more it’s felt.” He adds that because he was working with producers Nevin Sastry and Sean Cook, the studio “definitely turned into a party by the end of the song, which is a good sign.”

[@travisbowling6416]

This guys is a game changer. Absolutely love his style.

[@katrinakatrinket]

Appreciate him opening up about his thought process.. super cool 🖤

[@4042buchan]

Song came up as a random on Spotify and I got it on repeat, what a tune 👏👏👏

[@barbaramalone3363]

I don’t drink alcohol but I love this song. There’s so much in it to love and it all fits perfectly together.

[@jessicadeveau3502]

What a humble guy

[@jeremeybuckley]

Been a fan for a minute now. I really enjoy the music.

[@krystalmariie91]

This man’s amazing!

[@najahz052583]

Everybody at the club gettin tipsy!!!! Was my song back in the day

[@paulsgothits]

No matter what era you’re from, nothing is original, so let’s get over that. That’s not the point. If you can make a song like this that can give you an old feel with a new take AND make you feel good, there’s nothing to nitpick. Shaboozey is bringing an entirely new feel to country/hip-hop. This song is a hit no matter what genre you prefer.

[@cocroach1000]

this song can kinda bring America together cause it rallies us all around our mutual love of going out and getting drunk at bars! bars in big cities I can see bumping this, clubs in coastal cities I can see playing this, clubs in college towns I can definitely see blaring, and clubs in the south will most definitely jam to this!

[@charlesbarclay8181]

808 and upright bass is crazy but it worked 😂😂

[@TheArcticPyro]

Love that he’s shouting out Josiah!

[@ItsBugsy]

Imagine if the breakdown sections had volume though

[@brownstonerecordings611]

literally couldn't hear a thing, easily could of played it through the speakers and not the desktop monitor lol

[@dylanholt5755]

Yea cool to hear from shaboozey but as a breakdown this is not on par to the ones genius or complex does

[@MrFastlife2010]

awesome! love this song! very interesting learning how you thought of the song. This will be song of the summer for sure! im gonna try it at karoke to get the bar going!! keep going man we need more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RESPECT!!!!

[@JammerJammer-nb5zy]

Hes amazing..

[@user-yj4mt2pd2q]

This is so amazing how you made your song, brother. I'm really enjoying you as a person and artist. Thank you for crossing cultures and generations barriers. ❤️...

[@DeniseDeion]

I think it’s pretty much the same chords from Wonderwall and sped up. If you sing it it fits on there

[@jillianfisher7385]

The first thing I thought of was the band Mumford and sons for the sound of the music! Ft. Please!

[@pureskatesboii]

bros on new level

[@SinskariBoi5guys66]

If they don’t wanna give me for 6:27 then what should i do.

[@umnmag]

VIRGINIA

[@user-up5oj8gs6e]

E the minion ... no coffee😂 no whisky🎉😂no water in the electrics😂 ...5:46 til 6:03 wale sound😅 ... and collab with the best friends...😊 go on, please!❤😊

[@chiefgee]

🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬

[@AliKadri-wh3rh]

African Americans are just the best teachers.

[@jmduke401]

He's Nigerian Igbo, but African Americans do have Igbo ancestry. He makes nice music.

[@Godlovesu591]

@@jmduke401he first generation Nigerian which would make him African American, the rest of black folk aren’t African American they’re just black.

[@kimlivingston3201]

his song is better than Beyonce ...yes i said it

[@russellwestbrook8747]

where did he say beyonce

[@SinskariBoi5guys66]

No bro it’s 8:11 8:41. Don’t do wrong.

[@JosephThompson-ur2yw]

Let's go 🫡

[@MessiJamesTatum]

When did he even mention Beyoncé? Maybe i missed it

[@morey-xb8de]

wait hes a poser?

[@kondodurham2599]

.....flipping a song but acting as if you've created something original is WILD. 👍🏾

[@quintonchapman1776]

He never said he created the original song he just flipped to country because you drink at both the clubs and bars

[@Tomyohann]

He never said it's an original. Just stop the hate

[@eall5630]

Its not a cover its an interpolation

[@user-fk7mn4fe1m]

Man, I'm white and love country. This guy is awesome if you're going to be negative go somewhere else with it

[@prototypefan1000]

​@user-fk7mn4fe1m out of curiosity, what does race have anything to do with your statement?