The Moods - Rum Drunk (1966)

Not to be confused with bands in Texas or New York of the same name, this band came from Melbourne, Australia. They released at least two singles (four songs), but I am only familiar with their second release, featuring the song heard below and backed with the B-Side “Say Hello to Me.” The band members were in their mid-teens and consisted of Kevin Fraser (lead vocals), John Livi (lead guitar & songwriting), Peter Noss (bass), Mick Hamilton (rhythm guitar) and Carl Savona (drums).

This song, written by John Livi, was released on the band’s second single as the A-Side. What’s interesting is that the entire song revolves around the idea of using rum to soothe the singers woes. Livi, the song’s author, was only fifteen years old when he wrote it.



The Moods - Rum Drunk (1966)

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Lyrics:

I’m a boy
Lord, I’m good
I’ve got no one
No one ‘cept you

I was brought up
Brought up in the slums
Now I’ve come back
With nothin’ but rum

Got no money to pay my rent
Haven’t got one whole cent
My only hope is to get on the run
And bring with me my little bottle of rum

Alone, the people pass me by
But when they say I’m no good, it’s no lie
And though I might just lay down
And say I want to die
My precious little bottle of rum
Never passes me by

I’m a boy
Who’s down on my luck
Had a girl
For one whole month
My only hope is to get on the run
And bring with me my little bottle of rum

Alone, the people pass me by
And when they say I’m no good, it’s no lie
And though I might just lay down
And say I want to die
My precious little bottle of rum
Never passes me by

I’m a boy
Who’s down on my luck
Had a girl
For one whole month
My only hope is to get on the run
And bring with me my little bottle of rum