Gary Stewart’s “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles)” Becomes a Country Barroom Classic and Epitomizes Heartbreak Honky-Tonk in 1975
Released in March 1975, Gary Stewart’s “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles)” stands as one of the most iconic heartbreak anthems of its time—a honky-tonk lament soaked in whiskey, betrayal, and raw emotion. The single quickly climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, becoming Stewart’s only #1 hit. But its success went far beyond commercial numbers; the song captured the essence of honky-tonk music at a time when country was expanding into more polished territory, preserving the rougher, emotionally charged roots of the genre for generations to come.
Gary Stewart was born in 1944 in Jenkins, Kentucky, and raised in Fort Pierce, Florida. His upbringing straddled the rural traditions of Appalachian mountain music and the barroom grit of Southern honky-tonks. With a voice that could tremble like George Jones and a delivery as wild as Jerry Lee Lewis, Stewart became known for his ability to express pain with startling vulnerability. Unlike many of his smoother contemporaries, he brought a rock ‘n’ roll edge to his country music—reveling in emotional messiness, slurred notes, and a kind of musical recklessness that felt both dangerous and genuine.
“She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles)” was penned by songwriter Wayne Carson, whose catalog included other classics like “Always on My Mind.” The lyrics were simple but devastating: a man watches the woman he loves act like she’s unattached, so he drowns his heartbreak in alcohol. There’s no resolution, no hope—just resignation and sorrow. When Stewart heard the song, he knew instantly it was his kind of material. He could wear the pain in his voice like a second skin, and Carson’s lyrics gave him a vehicle to deliver one of the most emotionally charged performances of his career.
The song was produced by Roy Dea and produced under RCA’s stewardship. The arrangement featured a classic honky-tonk setup—steel guitar, fiddle, piano, and a backbeat that felt like the slow shuffle of a drunk making his way across a dimly lit dance floor. Stewart’s vocal is what truly sets the song apart. He sang with a slightly slurred phrasing, as though the whiskey referenced in the lyrics was flowing through his own bloodstream. Every line trembled with desperation, the words dragged out just enough to sound like a man barely holding it together.
Upon release, the song struck a nerve with audiences across the country. It raced up the Billboard charts and remained a jukebox staple in bars, honky-tonks, and dive joints. Country radio embraced it wholeheartedly, and it stayed on the charts for 11 weeks. Critics praised its brutal honesty and the power of Stewart’s performance, though some Nashville purists viewed his wild style as too unpolished. Nevertheless, the public responded with enthusiasm, and the song quickly became Stewart’s signature hit.
Culturally, “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles)” landed at the intersection of outlaw country and traditional honky-tonk, bridging the gap between the genre’s past and its edgier future. At a time when country music was leaning increasingly into pop influences, the song was a reminder of the genre’s roots in heartbreak, loneliness, and barroom confessionals. It spoke to working-class fans who found more truth in a glass of bourbon and a neon glow than in polished pop-country harmonies.
The song marked the peak of Stewart’s career, launching him into headlining tours and cementing his reputation as one of country music’s most distinctive voices. While he would go on to chart several more singles, including “Out of Hand” and “Your Place or Mine,” none would match the emotional intensity and widespread recognition of “She’s Actin’ Single.” It opened doors for him on both the country and southern rock circuits, where his gritty authenticity resonated deeply.
Its influence stretched beyond Stewart’s catalog, helping to inspire a resurgence in barroom ballads and emotionally vulnerable male performances in country music. Artists like Dwight Yoakam, Chris Stapleton, and Sturgill Simpson would later cite Stewart as an influence, drawn to his ability to balance vulnerability with edge. The song also set a template for what would become known as “hard country”—music that didn’t shy away from the darker corners of love and life.
Over the years, “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles)” has been covered by artists such as Ronnie Dunn and indie rock band Whiskeytown, led by Ryan Adams. Each brought a new perspective to the song, but none could quite replicate the tortured, lived-in feel of Stewart’s original. His version remains the definitive take—part cry for help, part drunken whisper in a smoky bar.
The song was released during a volatile time in Stewart’s life, both personally and professionally. His battles with addiction and depression mirrored the anguish in his music, and the authenticity of his performances often came from real emotional pain. In many ways, the success of “She’s Actin’ Single” was both a blessing and a burden, putting Stewart in the spotlight while his personal demons lingered behind the curtain.
Decades later, the song remains a favorite on classic country stations and is frequently listed among the greatest honky-tonk songs ever recorded. Its title has become a cultural shorthand for heartbreak-fueled drinking, and its presence in dive bars and jukeboxes has never faded. It is one of those rare songs that feels like it was written in neon and spilled whiskey.
In terms of long-term influence, the track helped ensure that raw, emotionally charged country music remained part of the genre’s DNA—even as radio leaned toward more commercial sounds. Its sparse, honest production and gut-punch lyrics have inspired generations of songwriters to write with similar candor and courage.
Following Gary Stewart’s death in 2003, “She’s Actin’ Single” took on new poignancy. It was played at memorial tributes, celebrated in retrospectives, and rediscovered by younger fans drawn to its timeless emotional truth. For many, it remains the perfect embodiment of Stewart’s artistry: honest, bruised, and unforgettable.
Ultimately, “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles)” is more than just a country song—it’s a moment captured in a glass, a soul laid bare in three minutes of music. It encapsulates the ache of love gone wrong with such clarity that it still resonates, decades later. It stands as Gary Stewart’s most enduring legacy and one of the genre’s most honest expressions of heartbreak ever recorded.
