At No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a second week, Shaboozey's “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is a breakthrough crossover hit that combines elements of pop, country, folk and hip-hop.
The song's widespread appeal – the first ever top 10 medley Advertising signCharts Country Airplay, Pop Airplay, Adult Pop Airplay and Rhythmic Airplay – all stem from his seamless blend of genres and influences, which Shaboozey combines with a compelling vocal delivery. The track's unique production and radio-friendly composition make it appeal to a diverse audience and help it stand out in the landscape of 2024's other hits.
Here's a look at the song's many sonic features.
Pop influences
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is heavily influenced by pop, evident in its radio qualities. It features catchy “KISS ME” (keep it simple, singable and memorable) melodies and the arrangement features multiple “APM” (audience participation moment)-primed sing-along moments. Additionally, this genre-defining track seals the deal with modern production qualities, relatable lyrics and infectious hooks, all ingredients highly appealing to pop audiences.
Country influences
Country influences are also evident throughout, most prominently displayed in the song's vocals. Shaboozey's vocal performance features a southern drawl, and the lyrics include references to “two-steppin' on the table” and “a party downtown near 5th Street.” Additionally, the use of acoustic and pedal guitars, banjos, and fiddles in the song's main “hook centers” (third chorus and post-chorus) add to its country appeal.
Popular influences
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” also draws on several folk subgenres, such as stomp 'n' holler and bluegrass. Acoustic instruments and background vocal textures evoke the communal, rustic atmosphere of an old bar.
The use of a pulsating beat and a four-on-the-floor kick drum game in sections like the second post-chorus, third chorus and outro update these genre influences, filtering them through the lens of modern pop production.
Hip-Hop influences
In addition to its pop, country and folk influences, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” incorporates subtle hip-hop elements, due, in part, to the interpolation of J-Kwon's 2004 hit “Tipsy”.
Vocally, Shaboozey's delivery in the second verse takes on a rap beat, and this style is also present to a lesser extent in the pre-choruses. Later in the song, the background vocals include the use of ad libs, a feature of the hip-hop genre.
Lyrically, along with its theme of partying and living, the song also touches on lifestyle, a theme very common in hip-hop. It also features hip-hop-influenced lyricism, including specific references to luxury goods (“My baby want a Birkin”), slang (“Tell my ma, I ain't forget”) and occasional profanity (“We gon' do this s –t again”).
Overall, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has set a precedent Advertising sign's charts and stands out as a masterful blend of different kinds of influences. The song's ability to seamlessly integrate these different elements makes it one of a kind, and that uniqueness helped it reach the top of the Hot 100.
David and Yael Penn co-founders Hit Songs Deconstructed. In October 2023, Hit Songs Deconstructed and fellow song analytics platform MyPart publicly launched ChartCipher, an AI-powered platform that analyzes a deeper range of hit songs as defined by Advertising signgraphs of
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/pro/shaboozey-a-bar-song-tipsy-hit-songs-deconstructed-analysis/
