My Friend the Bottle My Friend the Glass
Jim Ed Brown and the Browns · This Is My Beat! [RCA Victor] [1968]
I found new friends the day you left me
You never told me you'd be back
New friends so kind to one so lonely
My friend the bottle, my friend the glass.
They kept me going when I had to go
Take you back, I wish you wouldn't ask
They now mean more to me than you do
My friend the bottle, my friend the glass.
To ease my mind they give me blindness
So I can see into the past
Sometimes I think they're killing me with kindness
My frind the bottle, my friend the glass.
--- Instrumental ---
While you were gone I learned to need them
Give them up, that's just too much to ask
By now you too might like to meet them
My friend the bottle, my friend the glass.
My frind the bottle, my friend the glass...
My Friend the Bottle My Friend the Glass
Jim Ed Brown and the Browns deliver a soulful rendition of 'My Friend the Bottle My Friend the Glass' on their 1968 RCA Victor release, This Is My Beat!. The track exemplifies the raw, gospel-infused R&B style that defined Brown's career, blending spiritual yearning with secular longing. Recorded during the height of his fame, the song reflects the era's characteristic blend of church music and street life, capturing the duality of faith and dependency. Brown's distinctive vocal delivery anchors the recording, offering a poignant glimpse into the musical landscape of late 1960s soul. This work stands as a testament to his ability to transform traditional gospel themes into accessible, emotionally resonant pop songs that resonated deeply with audiences of the time.