“I Love You Like an Alcoholic” by The Taxpayers

What is easily ascertainable is that The Taxpayers’ “I Love You Like an Alcoholic” is akin to a love song. However, what’s being put forth isn’t particularly straightforward, as perhaps to be expected from the type of band that calls itself The Taxpayers.

In this piece there is a male and female vocalist, who respectively take on the role of two lovers, in a manner of speaking. And as for said male, that would theoretically be one Henry Turner, this eccentric character from the ‘hood whom Rob Taxpayer apparently befriended.

So with that said, what the lyrics revolve around is a love-at-first-sight type of scenario. The aforementioned Henry Turner was someone who reportedly favored riding the bus, and by the looks of things the two characters found in this song meet at such a venue, i.e. a bus stop. 

As for the female, she is depicted as being soothingly attractive, while the male is “some handsome dark stranger”. And to make a long story short, they instantly develop a friendship/romance. However, considering the prevalence of the phrase “one last kiss” as found in the lyrics, it may be such, all wording considered, that said relationship did not extend beyond the night that they met.

Song’s Title (“I Love You Like an Alcoholic”)

Meanwhile concerning the titular metaphor, although it isn’t necessarily a complicated one it is quite ambiguous. And amongst the sparse analyses available of this piece, there does not appear to be consensus as to what it’s supposed to mean.

But for most of us, when we hear the phrase “love you like an alcoholic”, what likely comes to mind is something akin to a maniacal affection. 

But it is actually other metaphors found in the chorus which are more revealing in elucidating what the title is supposed to mean. And that is the vocalists knowing that despite the fact they managed to instantly hit it off, an actual relationship between the two of them is not meant to be.

Or viewed from a different angle, they’re at a point in their respective lives when the last thing they need at the moment is to get caught up in a spontaneous romance. Or put another way, the male and female involved are mature enough to recognize that even though they are in “love”, said love is in reality more akin to a passing infatuation and one that would be fruitless or detrimental to actually pursue.

Who are the Taxpayers?

The Taxpayers is a band that originated in a part of Portland, Oregon known as St. Johns. By the looks of things they aren’t terribly popular across the world. 

The Taxpayers appear to be a semi-comedic act, and as such the frontman of the group is recognized as one Rob Taxpayer. Other known members of the act are as follows:

• Noah Taxpayer
• Danielle Taxpayer
• Kevin Taxpayer
• Andrew Link
• Phil Gobstopper
• Alex Saxplayer

When was “I Love You Like an Alcoholic” released?

This track is from the 2012 LP The Taxpayers released through Asian Man Records, which is titled “God, Forgive These Bastards: Songs from the Forgotten Life of Henry Turner”. 

The song itself was released on the 23rd of June 2012.

Credits

The entire band produced “I Love You Like an Alcoholic”, with the song being written by Rob Taxpayer.