"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." The chorus of the song was provided by the Haitian-born singer Stéphane Moraille; she later recalled that when the song became a hit in the US and UK, she was excluded from the group's press and promotional tour.

"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.

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.?"

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". Chuck Taylor from Billboard described it as an "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 said "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". Scottish Daily Record noted its "slacker hip-hop and brilliant vocals"."Chartslot Wowpop". Daily Record. 20 August 1999. Music Week complimented it as a "laid back, funky track combining rich vocals of soul diva and the Beck-like lazy drawl of James Di Salvio." 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." 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.""Best Singles". Sunday Mirror. 14 June 1998. page 42.

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." The video won a MuchMusic Video Award for "Best Dance Video".

Track listings

US maxi-CD single and UK CD re-release "Drinking in L.A." (edit) – 3:34 "Drinking in L.A." (Fink mix) – 5:36 "Drinking in L.A." (Zoobone mix) – 3:56

UK original CD single "Drinking in L.A." (edit) – 3:34 "The Problem with Sheldon" – 1:23 "Drinking in L.A." (Fink mix) – 5:36 "Drinking in L.A." (Zoobone mix) – 3:56

UK cassette single "Drinking in L.A." (edit) – 3:34 "The Problem with Sheldon" – 1:23 "Drinking in L.A." (Fink mix) – 5:37

European and Australian maxi-CD single "Drinking in L.A." (edit) – 3:34 "Thinking in L.A." – 5:42 "Drinking in L.A." (Fink mix) – 5:36 "Drinking in L.A." (album version) – 3:56

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1997–1999)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)79Canada CHR/Top 40 (BDS)28Denmark (IFPI)Danish Singles Chart 19 June 199815Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)17Iceland (Íslenski listinn topp 40)3Italy (Musica e dischi)8Italy Airplay (Music & Media)3Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)2

Year-end charts Chart (1998)PositionIceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)80Sweden (Hitlistan)89 Chart (1999)PositionUK Singles (OCC)70UK Airplay (Music Week)47

Certifications

Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)CanadaFebruary 1997RadioAudiogramUnited StatesJanuary 26, 1998Modern rock radioCapitolUnited KingdomMay 18, 1998United StatesAugust 25, 1998Contemporary hit radioCapitolUnited Kingdom (re-release)August 9, 1999

References