Might As Well Get Stoned

Chris Stapleton's 'Might As Well Get Stoned' delves into the depths of personal despair and societal disillusionment. The song begins with the protagonist facing the immediate aftermath of a breakup. His partner has left him, and he finds himself in a bleak situation, living in a single room and sleeping on the floor. The imagery of kicking off his boots and putting on music suggests a desire to find solace in familiar comforts. However, the refrain 'I might as well get stoned' indicates a turn towards substance use as a means of coping with his loneliness and emotional pain.

The chorus reinforces this theme of escapism. With nothing but time on his hands and a bottle as his only companion, the protagonist sees getting stoned as a way to numb his mind and temporarily forget his troubles. The repetition of the phrase 'I might as well get stoned' underscores a sense of resignation and hopelessness, highlighting how he feels trapped in his current state with no immediate way out.

In the second verse, Stapleton broadens the scope of the song to include societal issues, specifically the ongoing loss of soldiers in conflict. The mention of soldiers dying, brothers being lost, and mothers crying adds a layer of collective sorrow to the personal grief already expressed. The protagonist's wish for the soldiers to come home so 'we could all get stoned' serves as a poignant commentary on the desire for peace and the universal need to escape from the harsh realities of life. This juxtaposition of personal and societal pain makes the song a powerful reflection on the human condition and the ways people seek to cope with their struggles.