It Ain't the Whiskey
{{Infobox song
| name = It Ain't the Whiskey
| cover = ItAinttheWhiskey.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Gary Allan
| album = Set You Free
| released = {{Start date|2013|9|23}}{{cite web|url=http://www.countryweekly.com/reviews/it-aint-whiskey-gary-allan|title="It Ain't the Whiskey" by Gary Allan|last=Hudak|first=Joseph|date=14 October 2013|work=Country Weekly|accessdate=21 March 2015}}
| recorded = 2013
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Country
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=21}}
| label = MCA Nashville
| writer = Greg Barnhill, Jim Daddario, Cole Deggs
| producer = Jay Joyce
| prev_title = Pieces
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = Hangover Tonight
| next_year = 2015
}}
"It Ain't the Whiskey" is a song written by Greg Barnhill, Jim Daddario and Cole Deggs, and recorded by American country music singer Gary Allan. It is the third and final single from his 2013 album Set You Free. To date, this is Allan's final top 40 single.
Content
The song is a ballad with a "gnawing guitar solo and steel" that takes place at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. In it, the male narrator states that his life problems are not caused by substance abuse, but rather by a lost love.
Critical reception
Billy Dukes of Taste of Country wrote that "After two uplifting singles, Gary Allan has become the dark, heartbroken and wretched singer his fans have loved for over a decade. ‘It Ain’t the Whiskey’ is his bread and butter, and the singer sounds better than ever on this highlight from the ‘Set You Free’ album."{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/gary-allan-it-aint-the-whiskey/|title=Gary Allan, 'It Ain't the Whiskey' – ToC Critic's Pick [Listen] Read More: Gary Allan, 'It Ain't the Whiskey' - ToC Critic's Pick|last=Dukes|first=Billy|date=5 September 2013|work=Taste of Country|accessdate=21 March 2015}} Joseph Hudak of Country Weekly rated it "A", saying that "Yet for all of the intrinsic sadness of the lyrics…and the hypnotic production, the song doesn’t plod or bore. Rather, it captivates."
Music video
The song's music video was released in December 2013. It is shot in black-and-white, and alternates between shots of Allan performing the song with his band, and shots of him portraying a character "who has lost love".{{cite web|url=http://theboot.com/gary-allan-it-aint-the-whiskey-video/|title=Gary Allan Releases 'It Ain't the Whiskey' Video|last=Allers|first=Hannahlee|date=11 December 2013|work=The Boot|accessdate=21 March 2015}}
Chart performance
| class="wikitable sortable"
!align="left"|Chart (2013–2014) !align="center"|Peak |
| {{singlechart|Billboardcountrysongs|40|artist=Gary Allan|artistid=166883}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardcountryairplay|36|artist=Gary Allan|artistid=166883}} |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for It Ain't the Whiskey}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Gary Allan|title=It Ain't the Whiskey|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2013|certyear=2019|access-date=August 12, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Gary Allan}}
{{authority control}}
Category:MCA Nashville Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Jay Joyce
Category:Songs written by Greg Barnhill