| "Stronger Beer" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song by Tim Hicks | |
| from the album Throw Down | |
| Released | August 27, 2013 |
| Genre | Country |
| Length | 3:03 |
| Label | |
| Songwriters |
|
| Lyric Video | |
| "Stronger Beer" on YouTube | |
"Stronger Beer" is a song recorded by Canadian country music artist Tim Hicks. He wrote the song with Jeff Coplan.[1] It was included on Hicks' debut studio album Throw Down.[2]
Background
[edit]Hicks and frequent collaborator Jeff Coplan wrote "Stronger Beer", intending for it to be a joke to show Hicks' American manager at the time.[3] Hicks wanted to play "Stronger Beer" for his manager first, then show him a more serous song that he actually intended to record. His manager urged him to release "Stronger Beer".[3] Hicks initially was hesitant to do so, believing lyrics such as "We've got bigger balls and longer fields" (a contrast between Canadian football and American football) would prevent him from being taken seriously as an artist.[3] Nonetheless, Hicks subsequently recorded the song for his debut album.
The song was never released as a single to radio or digital platforms, but a lyric video was released to YouTube.[4] The original demo of the song that Hicks presented to his manager was ultimately released, as Hicks felt that any attempt to re-record it would not match the energy they brought in the demo.[5]
Lyrical content
[edit]"Stronger Beer" is a humorous cultural comparison, intended to show the differences between Canada and the United States.[6] The song is sung from the perspective of a Canadian, and highlights direct contrasts between both countries such as popular brands of chocolate ("We eat Smarties, you eat M&M's") to well-known celebrities ("We got Bryan Adams, but hey you got Bruce Springsteen").[7]
Hicks described the song as a representation of if "two drunk guys were sitting in a bar and one was from the states and one was from Canada, what would they be talking about? Maybe about stronger beer.”[8]
Commercial performance
[edit]Despite never having been released as a single, "Stronger Beer" has been certified Double Platinum by Music Canada.[9][10]
Music video
[edit]The official lyric video for "Stronger Beer" premiered on YouTube on March 8, 2013.[11] The video was created by graphic designer Mitch Nevins.[5]
Credits and personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from Apple Music.[12]
- Rob Blackledge — background vocals
- Nick Buda — drums
- Jeff Coplan — background vocals
- Tim Hicks — lead vocals, guitar
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[9] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "Stronger Beer, Song by Tim Hicks". Spotify. Open Road Music Inc. August 27, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ "Tim Hicks "Throw Down" Out Today". Top Country. August 27, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ a b c Miller, Logan (November 1, 2022). "[ON THE PORCH S1:E22] A Million and Six Answers with Tim Hicks". Front Porch Music. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ "TC Exclusive Interview: Tim Hicks' 5:01 out now!". Top Country. August 5, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ a b Krewens, Nick (2017-08-30). "How Tim Hicks' "Stronger Beer" Hopped Up His Career In 2017". FYI Music News. Archived from the original on February 23, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ "Tim Hicks: A Deep Dive Into One Of Canada's Biggest Stars". Front Porch Music. August 10, 2024. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ Bowen, Laurie (September 11, 2022). "Tim Hicks got the crowd singing at CityFolk on night three". Roots Music Canada. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ Freeman, Jennafer (March 10, 2025). "Tim Hicks gets stronger beers and longer cheers". Western Gazette. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Tim Hicks – Stronger Beer". Music Canada. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ Gonshor, Bram (June 29, 2017). "Tim Hicks presented with pair of Platinum plaques in Toronto". Music Canada. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "Tim Hicks - Stronger Beer (Lyric Video)" (video). YouTube. March 8, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "Stronger Beer, Song by Tim Hicks". Apple Music (Canada). Open Road Music Inc. August 27, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2025.