Emmylou Harris – ‘Two More Bottles of Wine’
‘Two More Bottles of Wine’ became one of the signature hits of Emmylou Harris and helped solidify her place as one of the leading voices in country and roots music during the late 1970s. Released in 1978 from her album Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town, the song combined heartbreak, resilience, and a lively country-rock sound that connected strongly with audiences and eventually gave Harris her first No. 1 country hit as a solo artist.
Interestingly, the song was not written by Harris herself, but by Delbert McClinton, a Texas-born musician known for blending country, blues, and rock influences. McClinton wrote the song after spending time touring with a friend whose marriage had fallen apart on the road. The lyrics reflected the loneliness and instability that often came with a musician’s life, especially the emotional toll constant travel could place on relationships. The song’s narrator tries to cope with heartbreak and uncertainty by simply getting through another day with “two more bottles of wine.”
When Harris discovered the song, she recognized both its emotional honesty and its commercial potential. By the late 1970s, she was already known for her ability to interpret songs with sincerity and depth. After rising to fame through her partnership with Gram Parsons earlier in the decade, Harris had built a successful solo career by blending traditional country music with folk and rock influences.
Her version of ‘Two More Bottles of Wine’ differed from McClinton’s original recording in several ways. While his take leaned more heavily into blues and Texas roadhouse influences, Harris and her Hot Band transformed it into an upbeat country-rock anthem. The recording featured energetic instrumentation, bright guitar work, and Harris’ crystal-clear vocals, giving the sad lyrics an almost celebratory feel. That contrast between heartbreak and musical optimism became part of the song’s charm.
The single climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1978, marking a major milestone in Harris’ career. It also demonstrated her unique talent for introducing lesser-known songwriters to mainstream audiences. Throughout her career, Harris became famous for choosing exceptional material from gifted writers and interpreting it in a way that made the songs unforgettable.
Today, ‘Two More Bottles of Wine’remains one of the best-loved songs in Emmylou Harris’ catalog. Its blend of heartache, humor, and honky-tonk energy continues to resonate with fans, while also serving as a reminder of Harris’ important role in expanding the boundaries of country music during the 1970s and beyond.
