About the Song
“Damn Drunk” by Ronnie Dunn featuring Kix Brooks is a soulful, emotionally potent ballad that reunites the iconic duo of Brooks & Dunn in a powerful and unexpected way. Released in 2016 as part of Dunn’s solo album Tattooed Heart, the song blends modern country sensibilities with the classic vocal chemistry that made Brooks & Dunn legends, all wrapped around a raw, romantic narrative of obsession, longing, and unshakable love.
Lyrically, “Damn Drunk” is a song of devotion pushed to the edge. The narrator confesses that he doesn’t need alcohol to feel intoxicated—he’s drunk on love. “I don’t need the whiskey / To drown out your memory” he sings, flipping the traditional country heartbreak narrative on its head. It’s not about trying to forget someone—it’s about being so consumed by love that nothing else compares. The repeated hook—“I’m damn drunk on you”—isn’t vulgar, but earnestly desperate, capturing a love so deep it’s almost disorienting.
Ronnie Dunn’s vocal performance is hauntingly good. His voice, seasoned with time but still capable of soaring power and vulnerable softness, is perfectly matched to the song’s emotional gravity. He sings with aching sincerity, as if he’s confessing his heart to someone just out of reach. Dunn delivers the verses with gentle intensity, gradually building toward a chorus that swells with longing and grit.
Adding to the magic is Kix Brooks, who contributes background vocals and joins in toward the song’s climax. His voice threads seamlessly with Dunn’s, bringing the nostalgic electricity of Brooks & Dunn back into the spotlight. While the roles are more subtle than their usual full-duet approach, the dynamic is unmistakable—and it gives longtime fans a beautiful sense of reunion.
Musically, “Damn Drunk” is contemporary and atmospheric, featuring smooth electric guitar licks, a slow-driving beat, and ambient production touches that give it a moody, late-night vibe. It feels modern but grounded, never straying far from the duo’s traditional country roots. The restrained arrangement lets the vocals and emotional tension breathe.