Yes, ‘Damn Darlin'” IS A Christmas Song… According To 49 Winchester

Happy “Damn Darlin'” day to all who celebrate.

“Damn’ Darlin'” is a staple from the Castlewood, Virginia band’s catalog. Released in 2022 as the third single from their debut album, Fortune Favors The Bold, the song has become a beloved favorite among 49 Winchester fans. It has also sparked debate over whether it’s categorized as a Christmas song.

In true 49 Winchester fashion, “Damn Darlin’” is a honky tonkin’ heartbreaker that combines clever lyricism with soulful vocals, and it fully embodies the genre-bending sound the band has curated, now known as “Appalachian soul.” Penned by frontman Isaac Gibson, the tune puts an original twist on the classic country heartbreak story we all love, with a breakup that takes place at Nashville’s legendary Exit/In.

For those unfamiliar with the famed venue, the black box style music hall, Exit/In, is a  50+ year old music venue and bar that has hosted the likes of Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Buffett, Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM, Willie Nelson, and many more of the best artists and bands ever to play music.

In the lyrics, the band references the history and the heartbreaking songs sung on that stage over the years.

“And then that tear that Hank talked about, fell right on in
Out of your eye and over the rim
Of that glass that just became your only true friend
Hearts break harder, at the old Exit/In…”

However, the first lines of the tune sparked a debate among fans regarding whether “Damn Darlin'” is a Christmas song.

“It was the night before Christmas, 1995
You broke her poor heart, and she shattered your pride
Outside that little honky-tonk in Nashville, Tennessee
Neon never looked so dim to me…”

While the honky tonk heartbreaker is far from the merry and bright anthems that we are accustomed to listening to this time of year, the specific setting has led many country music fans to dub “Damn Darlin'” as a Christmas song. While it’s no “Jingle Bell Rock,” it does fall into line with the more tragically beautiful holiday songs like Dolly Parton’s “Hard Candy Christmas,” or Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper,” so I see where this theory is coming from—and 49 Winchester agrees.

Earlier this month, the band took to their social media platforms to confirm that “Damn Darlin'” is indeed a Christmas song.

“Yes, it’s a Christmas song.”

So in honor of it being the night before Christmas, fire up “Damn Darlin’.” We hope that your Christmas Eve isn’t filled with heartbreak like the poor character in this heater of a tune.

The post Yes, ‘Damn Darlin'” IS A Christmas Song… According To 49 Winchester first appeared on Whiskey Riff.