Author: Megan Elizabeth

Her nails are chipped, hairs in knots, jeans are ripped, and that oversized university branded sweatshirt hasn’t been washed in days. Hey, at least she looks how she feels, right? There’s only so many shows on Netflix that can hold her attention long enough to distract her from the racing thoughts. She can only play so many apps, before the distraction wears off. Novels only contain so many pages of escape. It’s the most difficult place to find refuge from the mind. Anything she can do to get an ounce of peace, however, is what she’ll take. Because lately everything seems to be in shambles and her brain has this great way of reminding her 24/7.

Love and men (more like boys), have contributed a great deal to this carnage. He left and she woke up alone. After so many promises, so many plans, and all of the time put-in, he still left. Her heart hasn’t been the same since; actually she, herself hasn’t been the same since. 

What she can’t seem to tell herself, is that this is ok. It’s ok not to be the same after her heart is shattered, because pain changes people. With that said, she has a decision to make. She can take the pain and let it turn her into stone. Become bitter, focus on revenge, let the negative thinking overcome her. Or she can choose to look up, towards the silver lining. Harness the pain and use the momentum to better herself. Use this hurt for good and bring positivity into the world around her. 

And she can’t forget to take a quick glance over her shoulder, just to make sure he’s watching her brush it off like a queen.

Papers, books, finals, degrees, as if all of this doesn’t weigh a literal ton upon her shoulders; she’s also supposed to have a detailed plan of what the next 10 years of her life will look like. If she follows her heart, it will only “land her in a dead-end job, barely making ends meet.” If she takes time to discover her interests “she’ll be thousands in debt and will have wasted so much critical time.” So come on, the world seems to need to know, today! 

Breathe, darling. She is so young, she has a lifetime ahead of her. In 10 years, it won’t matter that she received a C in that class, she’ll most likely fail to remember the snarky comment that professor made, which brought her to tears. Don’t sweat the little moments happening now. She needs to take her time, take all the time. Wherever she chooses to go next, go, and follow with all of her heart. The big picture will come together, precisely how it’s supposed to be painted, all on it’s own.

This ongoing feeling, that one day is just flowing into the next without any real separation, is leaving her in this gloomy state. It’s the same coffee she pours, the same cereal she scarfs down, before rushing out the door to her  9-5. The exact same faces she passes and interactions she has, all to come home and do it all over again the next day. All of this for the minimal paycheck she uses to get by, just get by, never really move forward. 

Stop. No more comparing her own success to that of others. She can’t move towards her goals if she’s constantly looking behind her to double-check for an approval. Everyone is on a different journey. Each with different beginnings and each with different endings. Not everything has to be done by the book. There are no time markers on what has to happen and when. Keep on the grind, her break is on the horizon.

Those friends, the ones that have betrayed her, done her wrong, who whisper behind her back, the ones who seem to glimmer at her failures. It drags her down each and everyday, I understand. Wondering what exactly it is that she did to them to make them turn. Feeling the void in her life, that is their absence.

What she will learn, is that people leave, and often for all the right reasons. She can not flourish, with weeds growing around her. So when these people find the exit sign in her life, it was just their time. Recognize, that those who stay, are meant to for all the right reasons and those who go, also go for the right reasons. And when they’ve left and can’t seem to find kind words to speak of her, all she must remember is that when they go low, she goes high. There’s no room in her life right now, for the pessimist.

Just remember, there’s a light somewhere. I can’t promise her when or where it is, but it certainly won’t be like this forever. No one said life would be easy and I’m sorry that right now, it seems as though she’s learning this lesson the hard way. The best advice I have for her is to just keep going. 

At the end of all of this, she’ll look back and reflect on where she was and be so proud of how far she’s come. I know, it seems so distant right now, but this day will come. On this day, she’ll glance in her rearview mirror, just for a second, and she’ll see the wounded, struggling girl who thought she couldn’t make it through. Then, the strong, fierce, woman made of hellfire she’s become, will stare ahead at the open road and continue to press the gas.

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I rose today.

Yesterday I stumbled around this empty house, looked out of these stained windows and asked the sky “why?”

The sky answered, by asking me the very same question.

Why darling, are you holding yourself up inside this cramped, empty box, when the sun is inviting you to roam beneath its rays?

Why are you sitting in your own self-pitty, when your loved ones surround you and wish to uplift you?

Why are you giving up the activities which ignite a fire inside of your soul, when it’s a stone cold fireplace, waiting to be lit again?

Why are you partaking in self-destruction, when you could re-construct the most beautiful masterpiece for the world?

Why is that queen sized mattress so much more enticing than the experiences this place has to offer you?

Why are you refusing to see the color in the world, when black and white is just so outdated?

Why are you refusing to see the fire in yourself, even though it’s never been properly put out?

Why are you ignoring the beauty radiating from your reflection, when even strangers who pass you on the street can become enticed by it?

I dove deep into myself, for the answer to these questions. Although I couldn’t answer every single one, I found a commonality between the answers I did bring to light- the chemicals.

These chemicals in my brain, the ones we all have. Some of us become a little off balanced by them; when they become unbalanced, themselves. This force of natural chemistry, is sometimes stronger than any physical pain we’ve ever endured in our lives. It’s like fighting a battle with an invisible enemy. At times it’s hopeless and never ending.

Other times, however, on days like today you can look to the sky and see the beginning of a silver lining. The chemicals seem to match up that day, willing to work with me. I take advantage of each and everyday like this that I receive. Because they come few and far in-between, but damn, they’re such good days. They give me something to hold onto. Much like a soldier in battle who holds a picture of his family. These distant silver linings are my picture.

 Much like the same soldier, I’ll hold onto my picture. I will use it to get me through the rough days, the stormy nights, and the lingering pain. I will stand like a soldier against this. I will look my enemy in the eye as I slowly take them out. I will withstand everything this battle has to throw at me, and I will fight like the same soldier, because letting this war within myself overpower me is not how I wish to end. 

My mental illness does not define me, it will not overpower me, and I will not surrender to its battle cries. Which is why I rose today.

We can find our person at any age and at any given point in our lives. I think that they can be someone we’ve known for two months or someone we’ve known for two years. All I can say is that when they come into your life, you just know. How cliche, right?

You know you’ve found them when your heart is at home within them. However far you may wander from the spot on the map where you’ve chosen to exist no longer matters because home is with your person. If you stray from one another whether, in distance or time, you always find your way back. As if there was a north star in the sky leading you to them all of this time.

You will understand each other on a level deeper than you’d even guess anyone could know you. You will know each other’s insides and outsides. You will forgive them for their flaws and find grace in each one, as well as appreciating all of their qualities that make them shine.

Your attraction towards one another will go so far beyond what the eye can see. You will feel yourself craving their smile, their voice, the way they look standing to shut the curtains as the night falls. You will crave them at 3 am when they aren’t sleeping next to you and again at 3 pm when you’re sitting in a lecture hall full of people. 

You would do anything and everything to ensure their happiness because you feel their emotions in your core. Late night phone calls, junk food runs, speeding to their house at midnight to hold them, you do whatever it takes to make them feel that everything will be okay. 

You can push each other to your limits, and possibly even over them at times, but you both come back to one another because unfortunately most of the time the ones who break us the most are also the ones who have the capability to put us back together.

You can lay awake at night for hours next to one another talking about everything under the sun and never seem to run out of words. Even in the daylight they’re the one you want to share every detail of your day with, good or bad. 

If ever you are to lose them, you will feel everything inside of you become numb. The world somehow loses its color and you will look around you as everything crumbles. 

It’s a pain I don’t wish upon my worst enemy. The only way I know to subside it all is to sit with the knowledge that you were lucky enough to find your person in this lifetime. 

The person who you want next to you through all of life’s ups and downs, the one who you pick up the phone and call when you feel as if there is no one else on this earth to listen, the one who can ignite something inside of you that no one else can, the one you can spend a lifetime with and never get tired of, the one who makes you want to be a better version of yourself every day, the one you looked at and just knew. 

That’s your person, hold onto them ever so tightly.

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“At this moment there are 6,470,818,671 people in the world. Some are running scared. Some are coming home. Some tell lies to make it through the day. Others are just now facing the truth. Some are evil men, at war with good. And some are good, struggling with evil. Six billion people in the world. Six billion souls. And sometimes— all you need is one.” -Peyton Sawyer

Out of all of the heart-wrenching love stories that unfolded before us throughout the series, by far the most important relationship was that of which was between Lucas Scott and Haley James. Although they fell very far from any relationship goals, they did give us all serious friendship goals. 

We watched the duo face: heartbreak, loss, joy, tragedy, struggle, and fear. There was nothing “Layley,” couldn’t handle. 

When I see this powerhouse friendship come to life on my television screen, I always think of you, and here’s why:

Girlfriends are great and all, but when you have a guy best friend it changes the whole game. We have more of a brother-sister relationship, which means protectiveness comes with the territory. 

I don’t mind at all, it’s nice to know someone, quite literally, always has my back. Unless you try scaring off my new date, in which case I always tell you when you’re being too crazy.

You take the whole “no topics are off limits,” line to heart. Thanks for listening to my hoe-confessions and about how horrific my cramps were last Friday at work. I know sometimes I make you cringe, but you’re the bomb for toughing it out, and withholding judgement.

That friend you can call at any hour, for any reason; that’s you. I can always rely on you to answer and not be upset when you see its 3am, and I need a ride home. I’m thankful I have you to listen to my late night thoughts or hear me cry over a boy, you told me to stay away from in the first place. 

A quick confidence boost is everything coming from you. Sure, your girls can tell you how great you look all day long, but when it comes from a guys perspective, it makes you feel a little better. So thanks for reassuring me “I don’t look like a potato.” Even when I’m quite sure Idaho farmers would disagree.

Thanks for dealing with my spitfire temper. After giving you the cold shoulder because you lost our snap streak, I wasn’t sure how much more you could tolerate. You’re still here though!

Speaking of a snap streak, thanks for all of the cute selfies you send for me to black mail you with. They keep me entertained and smiling throughout the day.

I can always count on you to get that “wyd,” text. Thanks for making sure I’m never left out and I always have mischief to partake in on Friday nights.

You’re always the one to check-in on me, I’m most grateful for this because it never fails to make me feel important. So thank you for checking up on me, whether I’m going through hard times or rolling through the motions, it means the world to me.

Overall, thanks for just putting up with me all this time and being there to ride through it all right beside me. Out of six billion souls on this earth, I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t found yours.

The world’s largest thank you, to my real life Lucas Scott.

Dear Mr. President,

This presidential race, which ended with you in the white house, was the first race in which I was able to vote. I felt as though if I was given the responsibility of making such a large decision, and believe me when I say I did my research prior to filling in bubbles next to names. 

However, unfortunately, I found I was a rarity amongst my age group. It seemed most my age, wanted to take part in such a large decision, based upon: what they’ve seen on television, heard their family members say, or read on headlines posted by unreliable media sources. 

I will have you know, Mr. President, I take pride in the decision I made, knowing it came from my own thoughts and fact checking. 

My decision to not fill in the bubble next to your name is something I will tell my children and grand children about. 

I take great pride in being a citizen of this country, which is why I take great pride in saying I didn’t choose the person who is sending it up in flames, and sitting back as it crumbles. 

I am a millennial and no, Mr. President, I didn’t shed tears on the night you were elected into office, I didn’t run to school the next morning asking for a safe space with coloring books and Crayolas, out of fear. 

I did, however, lay awake into the late hours of the night, watching red and blue lines grow on my laptop screen, and I did feel my heart sink when the red line stayed permanently ahead of the blue. My heart sank for everyone in this nation, white, black, male, female, young, and old. 

For I had read your policies, ideas, statements, watched debates and campaign clips. From previewing all of this, I thought I knew what this country was in for, and my heart sank deeper. 

I soon learned that no amount of research could’ve prepared me for the next seven months. My single ounce of glimmering hope, that by some grace of god, you would prove the facts wrong and fight against your reputation, faded all too quickly. 

A tiny grain of hope, soon turned to fear and resentment. 

Each sunrise, met with a new headline. Each headline erupting an internal fire, I never knew could exist towards someone, I don’t even know. 

Label me a snowflake, disregard me as another millennial from the left, whatever will make you sleep in peace tonight. 

I would really like to know if you sleep peacefully at night, knowing millions in this nation lay awake in fear.

Living in a constant state of fear, is no way to live, Mr. President. It sickens me that the only reassurance that I can find in all of this madness, is that many others feel the same as myself. 

Each day, I fear for my fourteen year old brother who is autistic, and what his future will look like after Devos’ plans for his education and your plans for his healthcare. 

Each day, I fear for my six year old brother, whose heart is still so pure, and his future after being  surrounded by hatred, ignorance, intolerance, and bigotry. 

Each day, I fear for my friends and family members making the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country, after watching you handle foreign matters. 

Each day, I fear for my transgender hairdresser and my gay friends, after listening to statement after statement of intolerance against those different from you. 

Each day, I fear for my little brothers best friend, who was not born in this country, after a girl in his class told him he should “go back to where he came from, before we build the wall.” 

Each day, I fear for my rights as a woman, after you’ve made it clear several times before that we are all just objects, and after Pence has voiced his opinions on what I should and should not be allowed to do with my own body. 

Each day, I fear for the planet we live on, and all of the creatures that inhabit it, after you’ve decided to remove funding for it’s most vital care takers. 

Each day, I fear for my basic rights as a human being.

Even though I may live in fear of all of these bullet points on your agenda, I will not let fear silence me. I will not let my age, my education, my gender, my ethnicity, my shape, my size, keep me quiet. 

I will continue to voice my opinion, popular or not. In hopes of educating my peers and others, in preparation for the next election. I will hold on to what little hope I have left, that they will realize what great power there is in shading in a bubble next to a name on a long, white piece of paper. 

I will hope that when they are sitting with the ballot in front of them, they not only see a list of names, but they see what changes those names may bring to the world around them and the others around them, living in the same world. 

I’d like to share with you, Mr. President, one of my all time favorite country songs by Alan Jackson. 

In the chorus he sings “I’m not a real political man. I watch CNN, but I’m not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran, but I know Jesus and I talk to God, and I remember this from when I was young; faith, hope, and love are some good things he gave us, but the greatest is love.” 

These lyrics have always resonated with me because I have never considered myself a political guru, but it sure doesn’t take one to understand and comprehend the damage you have done thus far to our great nation and those living in it. 

Mr. President, if you will, please take a hard look at these lyrics and let them resonate with you. Love is the greatest gift we’ve been given. 

Love means: tolerance, acceptance, thoughtfulness, understanding, awareness. You should know this already, after all doesn’t a president love his country and his fellow Americans?

Show it, Mr. President.

Sincerely, 

Just another liberal, millennial, snowflake

It’s been months since we spoke last.  

I only know this because ever since our last conversation, I’ve been ticking off days on the walls inside the prison of my own mind.

You see, out of all the promises we made to each other, that have since broken in half, I never envisioned a day when I wouldn’t have you to fall back on. 

This fact alone was the straw which fell upon and shattered the camels back.

However, when the camel fell, you stepped in with a swift kick, before finishing your exit.

To make a quick exit would’ve hurt, but to exit quickly, leaving your baggage behind was like rubbing salt in an open wound.

The days seemed to blend into one another. I mean this not in the beautiful way, in which the sunrise and sunsets can blend their colors and take your breath away. 

I mean this in a dreadful way, in which the daytime seems to be filmed in black and white. Leaving the night time especially dreadful. Because at night time, there’s nothing else between you and the grim hues of gray, except your own thoughts.

To many these words may have caused concerned, internal thoughts. To you, I know they are only bringing flashbacks, which is why I could only hope for you during these times.

Unfortunately, I’ve found that hope can only get you so far. So I dug deeper. I dug deeper into the bottles, the boys, the adrenaline, the noise, the crowds; until I hit my spine. 

My back bone, it was right there at the end of my shovel. I tapped it a few times, before realizing it wouldn’t break under the blows. With my new discovery in tow, I rose.

I rose up on weak legs, looked down at my trembling hands and then forward, at my still gray skies and I put one foot in front of the other, all on my own. 

You knocked me down and out. 

It’s unfortunate that that’s what it took, but it worked. I’m here now and I’m on my own. I’m making changes that are long overdue. I’m forgiving and also forgetting. I’m moving on and moving forward. I’m facing fears and overcoming anxiety. I’m standing on my own two feet. I’m feeling closer to my silver lining, each day. 

Most importantly though, I’m waiting for you.

You knocked me down, that doesn’t mean I’m not capable of standing up and fighting, again. 

You could knock me down 100 times and I’d stand up once more, just to face you.

It was never me, but it’s ok

I finally uttered the words out loud, to myself. In the mirror, staring at my reflection. It was as if a light bulb flicked on and a fire ignited inside of me. 

It was always her, this whole time. I fought it, for so long, I fended for myself and competed with her for you, for us. There was always an upper hand to be had, and she always got it, regardless of my efforts. 

With every ounce of my being, I wanted to be the one. Unfortunately, things don’t always go the way we wish.

You promised over and over that it was me, it had been me, and it would always be me. That I had nothing to worry about. 

That I was the one your family loved. I was the one who made your mom smile when she saw the way I looked at you. 

I was the one who could make your dad laugh, real, belly rumbling, laughter. I was the one who made your grandmother’s eyes sparkle, as she watched us on snuggling in the morning, intertwined and hazy eyed, sipping hot chocolate.

it sucks that these promises were empty. 

Maybe it was me. Maybe it was my stubborn head, my strong will, my attitude. Maybe it was the fact I had no issues voicing my mind. Maybe it was the way I get anxious in rooms full of people when I can’t seem to open my mouth and utter a simple “hello.” 

Maybe it was the way I was with you; sweet, yet stern.

Whatever it was, it has torn me apart. Shut down my confidence, amped up my self-doubt. It’s made me second guess every word I utter and every step I take, and if its ever in the right direction. 

It’s taken every ounce of pride I once carried so much of. It has driven me crazy for far too long.

I’m done comparing myself, tiptoeing cautiously around my thoughts and actions, trying to understand why I was never good enough, constantly pushing myself to win the affection she had, standing up for myself in a battle that could never be won, with an army of a lone soldier.

It was never me, it was her all along. I’ve never found that statement to be so freeing, until now. 

Because for you, it was never me, but for someone else, it will ALWAYS be me and I can’t wait to find them.

He couldn’t have been more predictable: tall, handsome, mysterious, and “not looking for anything serious.”

She told herself she was ok with that, that something casual would be a good change of pace. Of course, this fantasy was short lived.

Someone always ends up forming real feelings that far outweigh the other person’s. 

She begins to think up cute scenarios she knows will never manifest. She spends nights dreaming about him magically revealing he’s loved her all along, only to wake up to a cold, empty bed and face the day alone.

She spent too much time second guessing herself. 

There will always be other girls and that fact alone kept her up at night, wondering what they have that she doesn’t. She’ll pick herself apart piece by piece until she’s completely empty.

He’ll turn her into a liar. 

The people closest to her will watch her unravel over someone who doesn’t deserve the time she’s putting in. They’ll warn her and she’ll swear up and down that “today is the last day.” 

A week later, she’ll still be there. 

Disappointment will become the norm. 

Canceled plans and unanswered calls and texts won’t even come as a surprise after awhile. 

She’ll lose count of the number of times she’s sat staring at her phone, wearing a full face of makeup and her favorite new shoes, only to face a blank screen for hours. 

Eventually, she’ll give up, let the shoes fall to the floor, remove the mascara that’s now running down her face and fall into bed alone. 

They’re masters of saying just enough to keep you hooked. 

“I just don’t have room for anything serious in my life right now, but you’re someone I could see myself with down the road.” 

Just as her hand comes to rest on the door handle, the words she’s been dying to hear trickle out of his mouth and stop her dead in her tracks. 

Here we go again, back to this relentless, vicious cycle of putting too much faith in someone unworthy of her while not believing in herself enough to walk away.

She’ll find out just how strong you can be when she’s pushed. 

Her best friend will call, worried sick, and she’ll drunkenly pour your heart out about the guy who refuses to realize what he could have with her. 

When she wakes up with a pounding head and swollen eyes, she’ll find the strength to pick herself up one last time. Only now, she’ll tread in the opposite direction, away from him. 

Because she is beautiful, smart, and strong. She deserves so much more than a guy who will never value these parts of her and “just isn’t looking for anything serious.”

It’s time for her to go out and get it.

This article is in response to "To The 'Best Friend' Who Cut Me Out Like I Never Existed."

It killed me to realize that I could no longer be friends with you, but I needed true friends in my life; friends who would listen to and care for me as I do for them (and always did for you.)

As much as we may hate it, sometimes we don't grow at the same rate as the people we love. It's not necessarily anybody's fault, it's just an unfortunate reality.

Losing friends is always painful but I’ve learned that people come into and out of our lives for a reason. The reason may not always be immediately apparent, but it's there. 

I needed someone to confide in, a shoulder to lean on. I needed friends who would reciprocate the love I gave them. I needed more than the one-sided friendship you offered.

You say that you forgive me for stepping away from our friendship and that’s fine, but I don’t need to be forgiven. I make no apologies for doing what was best for me. 

When I think about the time we spent together and the memories we made, I have no regrets. What I do regret is sitting in silence as you let everything fall upon my shoulders. 

There are two sides to every story and hearing mine was never a priority for you. It was far easier for you to let me take the blame for our falling out.

Since leaving our friendship, I’ve never spoken poorly of you. It saddens me to hear that hasn’t been mutual. I don’t see the point in trying to hate someone you truly cared for who just doesn’t fit into your life anymore. 

I agree, our memories can never be devalued. I still talk about them to this day. Sometimes I look back on them and reminisce fondly. Other times, I think back and remember exactly why I left. 

I’m not angry anymore because this “break-up” has taught me that I’m so much bigger than all of the pettiness that came out of it. It has also reassured me that I made the right decision by walking away. 

I hope you find this eventually because here’s what I need you to hear:

Thank you for being my person and making so many memories alongside me.

Know that I don’t hate you and I never will.

I'll always be here for you, that will never change.

Our friendship meant the world to me too.

I had to leave because you just couldn’t be the friend I needed.

If you ever wanted to talk about it, I’d be more than happy to. 

I’m sorry for hurting you, but I’m not sorry for ending our friendship.

I genuinely hope that you're happy and wish nothing but the best for you.

“Jack Daniels”- Eric Church
This song fits most appropriately on the top of the list, for its complete honesty and accurate description of what a night along side “Jack,” really looks like. In this boot-tapping ode to the main man himself, Church compares the Tennessee Whiskey to his “kryptonite.” Explaining “ that black label’s like black powder for my soul,” and “my head feels like a bomb about to blow.” Quite frankly, I’ve yet to hear a better description for the emotional and physical repercussions faced after indulging in the black label. However, I never said it wasn’t worth it. 

“Jack Daniels”-Miranda Lambert
Lambert earns the number two slot on the list, after putting her own twist on a 1981 David Allan Coe song (Jack Daniels if You Please), by using his chorus and filling in the rest with her own lyrics. This upbeat and twangy song, talks about Jack Daniels as if he were still in human form, and seems to be fairly close friends with Lambert. She describes him as, “the only man who’s ever knocked me to my knees,” and says “he sure has made a woman out of me.” Towards the end of the song, its revealed that she’s singing to Jack Daniels, after losing love. All too relatable. 

“That’s Why They Make Jack Daniels”-Ronnie Dunn
Ronnie Dunn (previously of Brooks and Dunn) gives the best heartache advice you will ever find in a song, in this slower tune, that is sure to draw you in. He slides into number three on the list, for no sugar coating anything here. As he writes “some nights just never end. Sometimes I need to forgive you again. That’s why they make Jack Daniels.” Lets all be honest with ourselves here and give Dunn applause for painting a picture of where we’ve all been, and then making it even more real by singing, “it ain’t gonna make it any better, but it won’t hurt as bad.” Because we’d all be lying by saying we haven’t used Jack as a numbing agent before.
The label might as well read, “Jack Daniels, healing emotional and physical wounds, since 1875.”

“Ain’t Worth The Whiskey”-Cole Swindell

Swindell steals our number four spot, with his 2014 country hit, appropriately titled Ain’t Worth The Whiskey.” This song is perfect for car rides after a heart break, where you can scream all of the lyrics at the top of your lungs, and not be (completely) judged for it. Swindell tells it how it is, in describing how he’ll raise his glass to just about anything, except the girl who did him wrong. The basis is, that he hopes she won’t fall under the impression that he’s drinking his sorrows away, when in reality, she just wouldn’t be “worth the whiskey.” Even though this song may not specifically call out Jack Daniels, we all know Swindell wouldn’t drink any other form of whiskey, or at least we can hope. 

“What I Can’t Put Down”-Jon PardiI 

In our number five spot, is Jon Pardi, with his breakthrough hit What I Can’t Put Down. This song is the perfect reminder of all of the fun we’ve actually had with the smooth Tennessee Whiskey. It differs greatly from the songs in the past couple spots on our list, with its more upbeat and “party-like,” feel. Even though Pardi describes the whiskey by singing, “the devil wears black, and he goes by Jack, and he’s really good at helpin’ me forget,” we can all agree with the conclusion of the song, which is that we’ll never put it down.

*insert drum-roll*
Although the title of this article states that Jack Daniel’s is the only man you’ll ever need in this lifetime, we have to reserve one song for when that special someone does come along. After all, Jack’s by your side on all occasions, not only heartbreak. 

“Tennessee Whiskey”-David Allan Coe
Although we are all most likely used to hearing Chris Stapletons slow and jazz like rendition of this song, it was actually first recorded by David Allan Coe in 1981. Since its original recording, the song received most of its attention after being recorded by George Jones, in 1983, when it hit number two on country billboards. Popularity died down again, until Stapleton recorded his version of the love song in 2015.
Who knew a song comparing alcohol, to a significant other could be so sexy. With lyrics like “you’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey.” and “I stay stoned, on your love, all the time.” There’s no doubt as to how this songs popularity has grown after making women everywhere, drool at the thought of being someones “fifth of whiskey.”