Though “thirst”/“thirsty” are relatively new additions to the cultural lexicon, this state of borderline desperation has proven to be a fitting match for the hedonism of popular music for as long as popular music has existed. A touch of sexual and/or romantic thirst almost feels like a requirement in pop lyrics, but over time musicians’ thirst has grown more overt — and expanded to encompass different types of desire.
Let’s not forget about the thirst for drugs or fame itself, both of which have inspired indelible songs ranging from the Rolling Stones’ “Sister Morphine” to the Counting Crows’ “Mr. Jones” to Kendrick Lamar’s “Backseat Freestyle.” We delve into all categories of thirst — sex, love, drugs, and game — in our list of 30 of the thirstiest songs ever.
