"Drinking in L.A." is a song by Canadian electronica collective Bran Van 3000, released as the band's debut single in 1997 by Audiogram and Capitol. It was the last song to be recorded for the band's debut studio album, Glee (1997). Of the song, James Di Salvio has said "It was almost like one of those movies where an animated blue bird swings by over the real live footage. It's cheesy, but I knew in my heart it was a hit."[1]
"Drinking in L.A." was featured in television commercials for Rolling Rock beer in the United Kingdom, which contributed to its chart success there, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart in August 1999. It also reached the top 10 in Iceland, Italy, Norway and Sweden, as well as number 35 in the band's native Canada. The music video for the song was directed by Adam Courneya. The song appeared in the 2022 film Aftersun.
Background
After a heavy night of drinking, James Di Salvio woke up face-down on a lawn in West Hollywood. With a serious headache, he asked himself: "What the hell am I doing, drinking in L.A.?"[2]
Critical reception
Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic felt that Bran Van 3000 is a "bizarre, stylish mix of club music, techno, hip-hop, lounge and kitsch-pop", adding that the song is "great".[3]Chuck Taylor from Billboard described it as a "atmospheric gem" and "terrifically quirky, with a more or less spoken verse accompanied by a chorale of dreamy background vocals, catcalls, and eerie sounds both sung and spoken and coming at you from all sides." He stated that "there's a hook there, too, as rich and textured as any more clearly defined pop offering. Instrumentally, you couldn't ask for more, with trancy lo fi production". He also complimented it as "glorious and deliciously creative".[4] Scottish Daily Record noted its "slacker hip-hop and brilliant vocals".[5]Music Week complimented it as a "laid back, funky track combining rich vocals of soul diva Maraille and the Beck-like lazy drawl of James Di Salvio."[6] Stuart Bailie from NME commented, "At least 'Drinking In LA' has a point of sorts, a development on the lotus-eater myth. Only now are the hedonists sobering up on Venice Beach, California, troubled by an imminent career crisis. Nice tune, too."[7] A reviewer from Sunday Mirror gave it nine out of ten, declaring it as "one of those oh so wacky tunes that creep under your summer skin and won't budge. Sounds like Beck and will be huge."[8]
Music video
The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Adam Courneya. Ilana Kronick from The Gazette wrote, "In short, the clip for Drinking in L.A. is a visual representation of Bran Van's electro-pop cross-breeding. A veritable bouillabaisse of teched-out trends, digi-rock references and clubby stylings, the video — much like the group — is a trip through the '90s cool pop standards."[9]
^Drinking in L.A. (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Bran Van 3000. Capitol Records. 1997. CDCL 811.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Drinking in L.A. (UK CD single liner notes). Bran Van 3000. Audiogram, Capitol Records. 1999. CDCL 811.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Drinking in L.A. (UK CD single liner notes). Bran Van 3000. Audiogram, Capitol Records. 1998. CDCL 802.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Drinking in L.A. (UK cassette single sleeve). Bran Van 3000. Audiogram, Capitol Records. 1998. 7243 8 87556 4 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Drinking in L.A. (European & Australian maxi-CD single liner notes). Bran Van 3000. Audiogram, Capitol Records. 1998. 7243 8 85381 2 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
