10 Best Songs With The Word 'Wine' In The Title

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In the world of rock and pop, wine isn’t just a drink, it’s a muse, a confidant, and sometimes a remedy for the troubles that fuel these genres. For decades, artists have turned to wine as both metaphor and companion, threading it through stories of revelry, introspection, passion, and loss. The following list showcases ten unforgettable songs that place wine at the center of their narratives, each track revealing a unique dimension of how it enriches, emboldens, or exposes the human experience.

# 10 – I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer – The Cardigans

Launching our new list of the 10 Best Songs With the Word ‘Wine’ in the Title, “I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer” by the Cardigans perfectly captures the blend of tension, humor, and honesty that makes music about relationships so compelling. Released as the lead single from their 2005 album, Super Extra Gravity, this song marked a darker and more mature direction for the Swedish rock band, both lyrically and musically. Produced by Tore Johansson, the track showcases a rawer, grittier sound than previous Cardigans records, blending indie rock with a dose of emotional intensity. The single, which dropped in September 2005, found considerable success in Sweden, where it debuted at number three, while its presence elsewhere in Europe was more limited.

Read More: Top 10 Songs By The Cardigans

# 9 – Tastes Like Wine – Gov’t Mule

Gov’t Mule’s “Tastes Like Wine” transports listeners into a space of raw introspection, following The Cardigans’ wry “I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer.” Appearing on Life Before Insanity in 2000, this song stands as a testament to Gov’t Mule’s soulful blues-rock, especially poignant as one of the last recordings with founding member Allen Woody. The track’s haunting lyrics—”The gods must be nervous, can’t you feel it shaking inside you?”—paired with Warren Haynes’ masterful slide guitar, create an atmosphere thick with tension and melancholy.

# 8 – Red Wine & Whiskey – Katrina & The Waves

Katrina and the Waves’ “Red Wine & Whiskey” dives into themes of recklessness and resilience, painting a vivid picture of living on the edge—a contrast to the more introspective tone of Gov’t Mule’s “Tastes Like Wine.” This track, from Katrina and the Waves (1985), captures the freewheeling and sometimes chaotic energy that often accompanied new wave music in the mid-1980s. Produced by Pat Collier, the album marked the band’s first major label release.

# 7 – Bring The Wine – Paul Anka

Paul Anka’s “Bring the Wine,” from his 1974 album Anka, is an understated gem that captures a warm and intimate atmosphere, making it a unique entry in the singer’s catalog. Opening the album, this song shows Anka’s ability to blend lush romanticism with pop meets jazz elements, inviting listeners into a private moment of connection. Released under United Artists, the album was overshadowed by Anka’s pop successes, notably “Having My Baby.” Yet, “Bring the Wine” stands out as a well-crafted ballad that highlights Anka’s range as a songwriter.

Read More: Top 10 Paul Anka Songs

# 6 – White Lightning And Wine – Heart

Heart’s song “White Lightning and Wine,” from their debut album Dreamboat Annie, embodies the raw and unapologetic energy that the band brought to the rock scene in the 1970s. Recorded in Vancouver, British Columbia, under the guidance of producer Mike Flicker, Dreamboat Annie captured Heart’s powerful fusion of hard rock and folk influences, with Ann and Nancy Wilson at the creative helm. Released in Canada in 1975 on Mushroom Records, the album quickly gained traction. It eventually reached double platinum status in Canada and rose to number seven on the US Billboard 200 after its 1976 American release.

Read More: 10 Most Rocking Heart Songs

# 5 – Me And My Wine – Def Leppard

The song was originally released on High ‘n’ Dry, the band’s 1981 album. High ‘n’ Dry was produced by Mutt Lange and marked Pete Willis’ last full album with the band, who would go on to release major hits like Pyromania and Hysteria in subsequent years. The album peaked at number thirty-eight on the Billboard 200 and achieved renewed popularity after the success of Pyromania. While “Me and My Wine” may not have reached the same chart heights as later singles, it cemented the band’s image as a gritty, unapologetic force in the rock scene.

Read More: Top 10 Def Leppard Love Songs

# 4 – Summer Wine – Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood

These two made so many legendary duet recordings. No one sounded like Nancy and Lee. Greenwood’s deep voice, sung with that monotone phrasing, perfectly fit alongside Nancy’s uptown attitude that no one would mess with.

Read More: Top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs

# 3 – Red Red Wine – Neil Diamond

“Red Red Wine,” written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond in 1967 for his second studio album Just for You, is a song of aching vulnerability where wine becomes the narrator’s only solace against heartbreak. Although Diamond’s version only reached number sixty-two on the Billboard Hot 100, it resonated deeply with fans who appreciated its quiet melancholia and introspective tone. The song describes a man’s struggle to cope with lost love, turning to wine in hopes that it might numb his lingering memories. Diamond’s evocative delivery captures the song’s essence, delivering a folk-tinged ballad that lays bare a wounded heart.

Unlike UB40’s rendition, which transformed it into a laid-back anthem that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988, Diamond’s version is intimate and restrained, making it feel like a private confession.

# 2 – Spill the Wine – War

“Spill the Wine,” released in 1970 as the debut single for Eric Burdon and War, brought an experimental blend of rock, funk, and Latin influences to the airwaves, instantly catching listeners’ attention. Recorded during sessions for the album Eric Burdon Declares War, the track features the combined talents of Burdon’s surreal, narrative-style vocals and War’s inventive instrumentation. The song, produced by Jerry Goldstein, was an unexpected hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Cash Box Top 100, securing its place as one of the most memorable tracks of the year. Its success introduced War’s sound, which combined cultural and musical diversity, to a wide audience. The single was also popular internationally, charting in Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands.

Read More: Top 10 Songs From The Band War

# 1 – Elderberry Wine – Elton John

Released in 1973 on Elton John’s Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player, “Elderberry Wine” captures the carefree spirit of its era, with a nostalgic look back at simpler times fueled by homemade wine and companionship. Written by the prolific partnership of John and Bernie Taupin, the song is marked by its driving rhythm and rock-influenced instrumentation, which provided a contrast to some of the more reflective songs on the album. Produced by Gus Dudgeon, the track features Elton on piano and vocals, with Davey Johnstone on guitar, Dee Murray on bass, and Nigel Olsson on drums. The song also boasts John’s unmistakable energy and lively piano lines that give it a raucous, celebratory feel, reminiscent of a time when life felt more carefree.