A Brief History
Over the years, especially in the 1960s, many hit songs have made overt or covert references to drug use. Here we list 10 of the best songs that do just that. (Note: We are not including songs just about drinking or alcohol; these will get their own list.) Please also make note that we are not promoting the illegal use of drugs or the abuse of prescription drugs. Regardless of how you feel, what songs would you have included in this list?
Digging Deeper
10. “Wildwood Weed,” Jim Stafford, 1974.
Kind of a fun little story song, it only reached #7 in the U.S. but made it all the way to #3 in Canada. Yes, it is about marijuana.
9. “Mother’s Little Helper,” The Rolling Stones, 1966.
Similarly themed to The Valley of the Dolls (best-selling book of 1966), this song is about a harried housewife who deals with life’s trials and tribulations by using prescription pills (Valium). The Stones got to #8 with this social comment. Honorable mention to “Valley of the Dolls” by Dionne Warwick from the 1967 film by the same name.
8. “Because I Got High,” Afroman, 2001.
Obviously, the Christmas “Be Claus I got High” parody by Bob Rivers is lumped together with this hilarious classic. All these things that happened or did not happen “because I got high.” Kids, do not play this for your parents! The tune only reached #13 in the U.S. but made it to #1 in many other countries. Go figure.
7. “Girl on LSD,” Tom Petty, 1994.
The B-side of “You Don’t Know How it Feels,” this tune speaks of over a half-dozen drugs, including coffee with its dose of caffeine. The poor guy kept finding girlfriends who were addicted to drugs.
6. “No No Song,” Ringo Starr, 1975.
Ringo proved he was more than just a pretty face when he took this classic to #3 in the U.S. and #1 in Canada. (Are Canadians into drug music or something?) This time, Ringo sings about more than just one drug, in particular moonshine.
5. “White Rabbit,” Jefferson Airplane, 1967.
This is a cautionary song about allowing children to read fantasy books (Alice in Wonderland) that presumably lead to drug use. Goofy logic, but it’s a classic rock song that was written by lead singer Grace Slick and became a #8 hit. Slick said the music to the song was also inspired by Ravel’s “Bolero.”
4. “Just Dropped In,” Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, 1968.
This song is about an LSD experience, which the listener quickly picks up on. (Yes, this is the same Kenny Rogers who sang“Islands in the Stream” with Dolly Parton.) Recorded by other artists (including Jerry Lee Lewis) before Kenny, it was The First Edition version that became a hit, becoming the first song to break the top 10 for Rogers.
3. “Itchycoo Park,” Small Faces, 1967.
Keeping the trend going, this psychedelic song hit #3 in Britain, but only #16 in the U.S. The record featured pioneering electronic techniques. The BBC had initially banned the tune for its blatant drug allusion but allowed it when the record producers explained that “itchycoo” referred to a park with stinging nettles, a ruse to get the song on the air. The ruse worked.
2. “Cocaine,” Eric Clapton, 1977 (single in 1980).
One of Eric Clapton’s signature songs, it is actually a cover of the original song that was written and recorded by J.J. Cale in 1976. The classic hit peaked at #2 in Canada, but only go to #30 in the U.S. (What are they doing up there?)
1. “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” The Beatles, 1967.
Another song banned by the BBC (Do they really think censorship actually reduces drug use?), this is (we think) the “King (or Queen) of Drug Songs.” John Lennon had claimed the inspiration for the name of the song came from his school-aged son, but Paul McCartney finally confirmed the LSD connection in 2004. The song was #1 in the U.S. as well as #1 in Canada! Finally! Elton John also had a hit song covering this tune.
Question for students (and subscribers) to ponder: What more can be done to discourage illegal drug use?
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Cottrell, Robert C. Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Rise of America’s 1960s Counterculture. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2015.
Herman, Gary. Rock ‘n’ Roll Babylon: 50 Years of Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Plexus Publishing, 2008.
Mcguire, Judy. The Official Book of Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll Lists. Catapult, 2012.
