On stage, Townshend claimed that he wrote the song on the night that he gave up drinking.[1] Lead singer Roger Daltrey refused to sing the song, possibly because (according to Richard Barnes) the song was too personal.[1] Alternatively, it was speculated by authors Steve Grantley and Alan Parker that Daltrey wanted to make it clear that Townshend had the drinking problem, rather than himself.[2]
Townshend later said about his drinking with the Who:
Drinking around the Who is the greatest thing gutter-level life can offer. The bawdiness of the humor, the sheer decadence of the amount put away, the incredible emotional release of violent outbursts against innocent hotel-room sofas; all these count to get a body through a lot of trouble. But at the end of the orgy, the real cancer still lies untackled deep in the heart.[1][2]
The song, containing additional lyrics not seen in the final version, was originally demoed with the working title of "No Way Out."[1][2] This version later appeared on Townshend's demo collection album, Scoop 3.
"However Much I Booze" addresses themes including loneliness, the illusion of reality within the entertainment world and Townshend's own feuding with Who lead singer Roger Daltrey.[2] The song's cheerful melody contrasts with the grim subject matter.[3] The melody is complemented with energetic playing from drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle, further contrasting the mood of the lyrics.[2]