Blame It (On The Alcohol)

The Song: Blame It (On The Alcohol) by Jamie Foxx

Main Point: If we lose control to alcohol, there could be some very serious consequences to face. In the aftermath, we may want to “blame it on the alcohol” but really, we are to blame.

Vital Info Before You Get Started: The following info should help you contextualize this very popular song so you can have a great discussion about it with your kids.

 

• IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS: We at The Source for Youth Ministry believe that certain elements in our youth culture can serve as good discussion jump starters with students. At the same time, we would never hope to introduce teens to a negative influence that they haven’t already encountered. This balance is a delicate one. In our experience most teens, churched and unchurched, keep pretty current with music and music videos like this one. Thanks to YouTube, MTV.com, and iTunes, the most popular music videos and songs are free to access only a click away. If you decide to use this, do so by catering it to fit your family’s needs.

 

• The song is performed by Jamie Foxx, a very talented musician and actor (Ray, The Kingdom of Heaven, etc). In great part, his extraordinary musical abilities make this completely un-subliminal song all the more disappointing.

 

• “Blame It” was released in early 2009 and rocketed to #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. There were many reasons for the song’s popularity: it was catchy, the music video featured cameos by Jake Gyllenhaal, Ron Howard, Forest Whitaker, and Samuel L. Jackson, and many more, plus Foxx was joined by rapper T Pain.

 

• The song’s message is a dangerous one. Over and over again, Foxx croons “blame it on the alcohol” as though that will get users off the hook. Getting dizzy? Blame it on the alcohol. Make a sexual mistake? Blame it on the alcohol. Ruin a relationship? Blame it on the alcohol. You get the point.

 

• Don’t appear as if you have a “canned” discussion in your head and rattle off questions like a teacher giving a pop quiz—your kids get enough of that in school. This is a guide, primarily—not a verbatim script. Just familiarize yourself with the content here and start a conversation in the most natural, unforced way you know how.

Introducing the Song:
I know you’ve heard Jamie Foxx’s “Blame It” a million times, but I want us to watch the music video together and then spend a few minutes discussing it. I want you to take note of his attitude toward life after it has been influenced by alcohol. Very specifically, I want you to see how he uses alcohol as a scapegoat for the troubling situations he finds himself in after drinking. Let’s see if that strategy makes any sense.

The Music Video:
The song can be found on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfjtpp90lu8

The Song’s Lyrics:

Blame it on the goose, gotcha feeling loose
Blame it on the ‘tron, catch me in a zone
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the a-a-alcoholShe said, she usually don’t
But I know that she front
‘Cause shawty know what she wan’t
She don’t wanna to seem like she’s easy
I ain’t saying what you won’t do
But you know what we’re probably gon’ do
What you been feenin’ deep inside
Let it out now, girl what you drinkin’, gon’ let it sink in
Here for a weekend, thinkin’, we can
See where we could be if we press fast forward
Just one more round and you’re down I’d know it
Fill another cup up, feelin’ on your butt what
You don’t even care now, I was unaware
How fine you was before
My buzz set in, my buzz set in

Blame it on the goose, gotcha feeling loose
Blame it on the ‘tron, catch me in a zone
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the vodka, blame it on the henny
Blame it on the blue tap, got you feeling dizzy
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol

Ooh see, she spilled some drink on me
And now I’m knowin’ she tipsy
She put her body on me
And she keeps staring me right in my eyes
No tellin’ what I’m gon’ do
Baby, I would rather show you
What you been missin’ in your life when I get inside
Girl, what you drinkin’? Don’t let it sink in
Here for the weekend, thinkin’, we can
See where we could be if we press fast forward
Just one more round if your down, I’m fallin’
Fill another cup up, feelin’ on your butt what
You don’t even care now, I was unaware
How fine you was before
My buzz set in, my buzz set in

Blame it on the goose, gotcha feeling loose
Blame it on the ‘tron, catch me in a zone
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the vodka, blame it on the henny
Blame it on the blue tap, got you feeling dizzy
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol

Girl, I know you feel good
Just like you look, couple more shots
You open up like a book, I ain’t trippin ’cause I’ma read yaShawty,
I ain’t trippin’, I jus’ wanna please ya
I’ma take a shot of Nuvo, shawty, then you know
It’s going down, we can go kick it like Judo
You know what I mean Shawty got drunk, thought it all was a dream
So I made her say I,
Now she got her hand on my leg
Got my seats all wet in my ride
All over my ride
She look me dead in the eye
Then my pants got bigga
She already knew what to figga
Had her lookin’ at her boyfriend like, “F**k dat nigga”

Blame it on the juice, gotcha feeling loose
Blame it on the ‘tron, catch me in a zone
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the vodka, blame it on the henny
Blame it on a blue tap, got you feeling dizzy
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol

Now to the ballas poppin’ bottles
With they henny in they cups screamin’
Money ain’t a thing, if it ain’t throwin’ it up in the sky
Hold your drinks up high
And to my independent ballas
Who can buy they own bottles
If you lookin’ like a model
When them broke fellas holla, tell ’em, bye
Hold your drinks up high
You can blame it on the goose, gotcha feeling loose

Blame it on the ‘tron, catch me in a zone
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the a-a-alcohol
Blame it on the vodka, blame it on the henny
Blame it on the blue tap, got you feeling dizzy
Blame it on the a-a-alcoholBlame it on the a-a-alcohol
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What was the main message in Jamie Foxx’s song?

A: Over and over again, Jamie was trying to blame his problems on the alcohol he’d been drinking. If he was in trouble, he wanted to “blame it on the alcohol.” If he hurt someone, he wanted to “blame it on the alcohol.” If he ruined a relationship, he tried to “blame it on the alcohol.”

Q: In his song, Foxx says “blame it on the alcohol” but is that even possible? Why or why not?

A: He might try to blame alcohol for his consequences and choices, but nobody will buy that in the real world. Nobody gets a pass for trying to “blame it on the heroine” or for trying to “blame it on the lust” etc. The world will hold us accountable for our habits and failures…no matter how cool the song might be.

Q: Speaking of consequences, what are some of the outcomes of losing control to alcohol?

A: Any number of things could be listed as a consequence: broken relationships, sexual mistakes including infection or pregnancy, impaired judgment, sickness, hangover, habit-forming behaviors, and so on.

Where to Take It from Here:
Wherever it feels natural. If these questions lead to a longer discussion on the topic, wonderful! (There’s a guide just after this paragraph that helps you do just that.) If your kids are barely uttering grunts, don’t get discouraged—the next time it feels right, try out another song. Keep engaging them.

For Deeper Discussion:
(If your kids seem into diving in deeper and looking at what the Bible has to say on the subject, the following discussion guide can help take you there.)

Want help getting your teenager engaged in conversation? CLICK HERE for a helpful article from our “Parenting Help” page providing you with 3 Essentials to Talking with Today’s Teens.

Transitional Statement:
Blame it on the alcohol. That’s not possible. Can we get away with that? “Yo, I know I pulled the trigger, but you gotta blame his death on the alcohol.” “Yeah, she’s pregnant at the age of 17, but don’t blame her; blame the alcohol.” “Sure, I said some mean things last night, but you just gotta blame the alcohol.” NOBODY is buying that line. But this song was wildly popular when it came out…maybe because folks thought they could escape the consequences of their actions by pointing an accusing finger at an empty bottle. The reality is quite different, though. If we lose control to alcohol, there can sometimes be very serious consequences to face. Even if we want to “blame it on the alcohol,” there is no one or nothing to blame but ourselves. Let’s talk about that for a few minutes.

More Discussion Questions:

 

1. HAVE ALL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ANSWER: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our favorite musician/group.
2. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What were some of the things in Foxx’s song that people could regret later after the alcohol wears off?
3. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Without naming any names, have you ever seen someone lose control with alcohol? If so, what happened?
4. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Have you ever heard someone try to blame their actions on alcohol? If so, did others buy it? Why or why not?

Say the following:
Let me read you a few lines from a recent study performed by The Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Binge drinking is a dangerous behavior that can lead to tragic circumstances. It’s not often recognized as a women’s health problem but nearly 14 million U.S. women binge drink about three times a month, and consume an average of six drinks per binge.

The report highlights how binge drinking puts women at increased risk for many health problems such as breast cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, heart disease, and unintended pregnancy. Pregnant women who binge drink expose a developing baby to high levels of alcohol, which can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and sudden infant death syndrome.

In addition, the report finds that about 1 in 5 high school girls report binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks on an occasion for women and girls. Drinking too much, including binge drinking, causes about 23,000 deaths among women and girls in the United States each year.

Also, The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism claims that “25% of American women have experienced sexual assault, including rape. Approximately one-half of those cases involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, victim, or both. Alcohol contributes to sexual assault through multiple pathways, often exacerbating existing risk factors.

1. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: I know these reports kinda focused on girls, but in your opinion, who has the biggest drinking problem, guys or girls? Why do you say that?
2. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: We probably all know someone who has made mistakes with alcohol – or continually makes mistakes with alcohol. What would you say to them to help them?

Read the following passage:

1. 1. Ephesians 5:15-18 (NIV)

Be very careful, then, how you live– not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

1. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Even though we only read four short verses, Paul gave us lots to think about. List some of the things he says TO DO and NOT TO DO.
2. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Why do you think that Paul says to not get drunk on wine (alcohol)? Why did he take the time to write that down?
3. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Who would Paul say was to blame if we get drunk and make foolish choices?
4. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Be filled with alcohol…or be filled with the Spirit. Are there any negative consequences associated with being filled with the Spirit like there are with being filled with alcohol?
5. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: How important is God’s will in your life? Can you understand what God’s will is if you’re constantly losing control to alcohol?
6. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: As your parents, what could we do to help you avoid making mistakes with alcohol?

HAVE ALL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ANSWER: What steps will you take and what decisions will you make to ensure that you are never “drunk on wine” and out of control?

Wrap Up:
Alcohol. It seems like it’s everywhere. It’s on billboards, TV commercials, and the pages of magazines. It’s celebrated in movies and some people’s lives. It’s even tucked away inside many of our friends’ fridges. Alcohol will be a temptation that everyone has to deal with.

Jamie Foxx basically says that if we make mistakes with booze, we can just blame it on the alcohol. In other words, if we wreck our lives, or our relationships, or our health, we can just point a guilty finger at alcohol. But even though it made for a really popular and catchy song, his advice is horrible. We can’t get off the hook when we make foolish mistakes by blaming the alcohol. It’s utterly ridiculous! Murderers can’t blame alcohol, neither can rapists.

Neither can anybody who abuses alcohol.

That’s why God’s Word tells us to avoid being drunk on alcohol. In His infinite wisdom, God knew that there would be consequences for losing control to alcohol. He wanted us to avoid that pain, so He tells us to be filled with His Spirit, not with alcohol. But the passage that we read from Ephesians isn’t the only place where God talks about the dangers of alcohol. Let me share two other quick passages with you from the Book of Proverbs.

• Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

• Proverbs 21:17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.

Again, God seems to be painting us a picture about the consequences associated with losing control on alcohol. He says we will be led astray and that we will be mocked and that we will be poor if we abandon our self-control to alcohol. I don’t want any of those things to happen to our family.

I know that we live in a world where it’s highly popular to blame others for our mistakes and shortcomings, but that’s a weak and flawed way of dealing with our failures. We can’t blame each other if we get drunk; neither can we blame the alcohol if we get drunk.

The best plan is to avoid it altogether…and then you won’t need anyone or anything to blame in the first place.

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith