The song "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink" by Merle Haggard is a country classic about a man who has been rejected by a woman and decides to drown his sorrows in alcohol. He acknowledges that he could be holding the woman he loves, or doing something productive with his life, but instead he chooses to sit at the bar and drink. The lyrics suggest that the man is aware of his self-destructive behavior, but he is too consumed by his pain to care. The line "putting you down won't square the deal" implies that he is not seeking revenge or trying to make the woman feel guilty for rejecting him. Instead, he is resigned to his fate and chooses to numb his emotions with alcohol. The chorus of the song emphasizes the man's determination to stay at the bar and drink. He is not interested in finding another woman or pursuing any other activity, even though he knows that his behavior may be harmful to himself in the long term. The line "ain't no woman gonna change the way I think" suggests that he has given up on the idea of finding love and is resigned to his solitary existence. Overall, "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink" is a poignant and relatable song about heartbreak and the lengths that people will go to in order to cope with their pain. The lyrics capture the feeling of hopelessness and resignation that can come with rejection, and the chorus is a reminder that sometimes the best we can do is simply endure our pain and wait for the storm to pass.
