We gave each other more than our hearts
With the help of a mason jar
Drinkin' watermelon moonshine
Cut the burn with a little lime
Watermelon moonshine is a homemade alcoholic beverage that combines watermelon juice, Everclear (a high-proof grain alcohol), and sometimes lime for added flavor. It is typically prepared in a mason jar, giving it a rustic and traditional touch. The drink is known for its sweet and refreshing taste, reminiscent of watermelon with a strong alcoholic kick thanks to the Everclear.
Here, Lainey Wilson takes us on a ride through sweet memories of first love, intertwined with the intoxicating power of the liquor.
Lainey Wilson transports us back to her high school days in this cinematic tale of young romance. She confesses, "I was his, and every inch of that boy was mine." Wilson and her boyfriend were young and green, still figuring out what love truly meant. But they were learning alright, fueled by the dizzying effects of that sweet buzz.
Watermelon moonshine plays a pivotal role in Wilson's story. It's the liquid courage that fueled their fire, the elixir they imbibed when they lost their innocence together. And from that moment on, whenever Wilson makes love, the taste of that intoxicating beverage floods her mind.
"Watermelon Moonshine" shares thematic similarities with Deana Carter's 1996 hit "
Strawberry Wine." Both songs evoke nostalgia and celebrate the memories of young love tied to fruit-flavored alcoholic beverages.
Lainey Wilson wrote the soft ballad with Josh Kear and Jordan M. Schmidt on January 12, 2022. Wilson and Schmidt met in person, but Kear was under the weather and COVID-19 was running wild, so he worked through Zoom. That morning, Kear dialed up the "Watermelon Moonshine" title and the words began to flow. He dove into the first verse and chorus, tapping into the nostalgic realm of a first sexual experience. It didn't take long for Wilson and Schmidt to realize that the fledgling song shared a similar plot and title with "Strawberry Wine." Kear only caught on a bit later in the day.
"By then, I was so in love with the song as it was, I wasn't really worried about it,"
Kear told Billboard magazine. "I felt like what we were creating was worthy in its own right. I also figure the world can probably handle a loss-of-innocence song involving alcohol once every 25 years or so."
The trio crafted a second verse that delved into a woman's memories of having her first taste of both alcohol and love in the same moment. It struck a chord with Wilson, igniting her own recollections of that inaugural sip of liquor. "I remember being 17 years old, and taking a few sips of whatever it was that we were trying to hide from everybody, and that I wanted to be drunk," she recalled. "I wanted to feel like I was drunk, so in my mind, I was like, 'I think I'm a little tipsy,' when the truth is, I probably got more tipsy off mouthwash."
Lainey Wilson recorded the song for her second studio album, Bell Bottom Country, with producer Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Brothers Osborne). Joyce was also heavily involved in the production of Lainey's debut studio album, 2021's Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'.
Moonshine refers to illegally produced or homemade distilled alcohol, typically made in small quantities without proper licensing or regulation. The term traces its origins to the daring escapades of early English smugglers who slyly transported their prized brandy under the veil of moonlight. Other songs in our database about moonshine include:
"
Copperhead Road" by Steve Earle.
"
Moonshine" by Bruno Mars.
"
Mexican Moonshine" by Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers.
"
Moonshine In The Trunk" by Brad Paisley.
"
Moonshine" by Paul Weller
"
Moonshine" by Foy Vance
Lainey Wilson, who plays country singer Abby on the hit TV show Yellowstone, performed the song in the episode "Cigarettes, Whiskey, a Meadow and You." It aired on December 12, 2022.
The "Watermelon Moonshine" video takes us on a heartwarming journey. A spirited gray-haired woman embarks on a quest, unearthing a long-lost moonshine mason jar in a remote field. Memories flood back as she smiles in triumph.
We're transported to the past, where a teenage version of the woman shares moonshine with a charming young man at a barn party. The air crackles with anticipation as they spin the jar, on the cusp of their first kiss. However, the moment is shattered by flashing lights, dispersing the partygoers.
Love perseveres as fate reunites the young couple when the boy becomes a farmhand for the girl's father. They steal moments of bliss in hidden corners, cherishing their secret rendezvous. Yet, all good things must end. With a heavy heart, the girl buries a time capsule in the jar and departs, leaving home in her truck.
The older version of the girl discovers a hidden note in the jar, revealing the plea, "Don't forget me." Amid this narrative, we witness dreamlike visuals of Wilson performing "Watermelon Moonshine" in a mystical field, adding to the enchanting ambiance.
Actors Rachel Lynn Matthews and Sam Sherrod play the couple. "From locking eyes for the first time, to playing spin the bottle with an Ole Smoky mason jar, to being too crazy about each other to tame it, I am so happy with how Rachel Lynn Matthews and Sam Sherrod brought the vision to life through their portrayal of their innocently passionate characters," Wilson said.
The Taste of Country staff and readers ranked this their
Best Country Song of 2023. They wrote:
"One way to tell a song is truly an exception is that the older it gets and the more you hear it, the more you fall in love or relate to the message. Lainey Wilson's 'Watermelon Moonshine' recalls '90s country and (perhaps) your own young-love story. Her lilting vocals show her versatility, but it's the melody and lyrics of this #1 smash that land it on top of our list of the Top 40 country songs of 2023."
