Delbert McClinton was born on November 4, 1940, in Lubbock, Texas, and is a Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter renowned for blending blues, rock, country, and Americana.
Starting his career in Fort Worth’s desegregated roadhouses, he backed legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf before gaining fame as a harmonica player on Bruce Channel’s 1962 hit Hey! Baby.
His solo career took off with the 1980 top-10 hit Giving It Up for Your Love, followed by Grammy wins for collaborations with Bonnie Raitt (Good Man, Good Woman, 1991).
About the Song
Written during McClinton’s tumultuous 1970s move to Los Angeles, Two More Bottles of Wine is a raw country-blues anthem about heartbreak and survival. Originally recorded for his 1975 album Victim of Life’s Circumstances.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Released | 1979 |
| Album | Livin It Down |
| Writers | Delbert McClinton |
| Producers | Johnny Sandlin |
Two More Bottles of Wine Lyrics by Delbert McClinton
Verse 1
We came out west together with a common desire
The fever we had mighta set the West Coast on fire
Two months later, got trouble in time
Maggie moved out and left me behind
But it’s all right ’cause it’s midnight
And I got two more bottles of wine
Verse 2
The way she left sure turned my head around
Seemed like overnight she just up and put me down
Ain’t gonna let it bother me today
I been workin’ and I’m too tired anyway
But it’s all right ’cause it’s midnight
And I got two more bottles of wine
Chorus
I’m sixteen hundred miles from the people, I know
Been doin’ all I can but opportunity sure comes slow
Thought I’d be a star by today
But I’m sweepin’ out a warehouse in west L.A
But it’s all right ’cause it’s midnight
And I got two more bottles of wine
Instrumental Break
Chorus
I’m sixteen hundred miles from the people, I know
Been doin’ all I can but opportunity sure comes slow
Thought I’d be a star by today
But I’m sweepin’ out a warehouse in west L.A
But it’s all right ’cause it’s midnight
And I got two more bottles of wine
Outro
Yeah, it’s all right ’cause it’s midnight
And I got two more bottles of wine
Yeah, all right ’cause it’s midnight
And I got two more bottles of wine
Similar Songs Like Two More Bottles of Wine
Here are similar songs by Delbert McClinton that match the country-blues grit and storytelling of Two More Bottles of Wine:
- Livin’ It Down: From Nothing Personal (2001), this track channels strength and defiance with a roadhouse blues groove, mirroring the raw emotion of Two More Bottles of Wine.
- Before You Accuse Me: A cover of Bo Diddley’s blues classic, McClinton’s version (featured on compilations like Ultimate Collection) blends harmonica riffs and Southern rock energy.
- Givin’ It Up for Your Love: McClinton’s 1980 breakout hit combines swampy rhythms and soulful vocals, ideal for fans of his working-class anthems.
- Sandy Beaches: A reflective track from his 1989 album of the same name, reflecting on life’s struggles with a laid-back country-blues arrangement.
- Heartbreak Radio: A blues-rock hybrid (from Delbert McClinton, 1994) about love gone wrong, driven by gritty guitar and McClinton’s raspy delivery.
Similar Artists Like Delbert McClinton
This is a selection of musicians, including Delbert McClinton, featuring their genres and albums:
- Joe Cocker
Genre: Rock, Blues, Soul
Notable Albums: With a Little Help from My Friends (1969), Mad Dogs & Englishmen (1970) - Taj Mahal
Genre: Blues, Roots, Americana
Notable Albums: Taj Mahal (1968), Senor Blues (1997) - Robert Cray
Genre: Blues, Soul
Notable Albums: Strong Persuader (1986), Bad Influence (1983) - Bonnie Raitt
Genre: Blues, Rock, Americana
Notable Albums: Nick of Time (1989), Give It Up (1972) - Mavis Staples
Genre: Soul, Blues, Gospel
Notable Albums: The Voice (2009), If All I Was Was Black (2017)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Made the Song Famous?
Emmylou Harris’s 1978 cover topped the U.S. and Canadian country charts, becoming the definitive version.
Did McClinton Win Awards for this Song?
No, but Harris’s cover won acclaim, and McClinton earned Grammys for later blues albums like “Room to Breathe.”
Are there Other Notable Covers?
Martina McBride (1995) released a studio version.
