Hitting a high note.

May 22, 2008 5:20 AM

Reefer Man - Heroin - Cokane In My Brain - Sister Morphine - Purple Haze - Don't Bogart Me - The Pusher.

There's plenty more drug songs out there. Links welcomed and encouraged.

posted by flapjax at midnite (165 comments total)

Would you believe The Pusher was written by Hoyt Axton?
posted by Sailormom at 5:26 AM on May 22, 2008

This song has been blowing my mind lately: I Can Get Off On You.
posted by ND¢ at 5:26 AM on May 22, 2008

Too High for the Supermarket
posted by procrastination at 5:37 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

White Rabbit - Mother's Little Helper - Kid Charlemagne.
posted by three blind mice at 5:45 AM on May 22, 2008

Ozzy!
posted by jbickers at 5:46 AM on May 22, 2008

Because I Got High is a more recent favorite....
posted by three blind mice at 5:49 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

God Luck and Good Speed
posted by The Straightener at 5:50 AM on May 22, 2008

One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer: John Lee Hooker? Maybe not the drug you had in mind. He does describe getting high and stoned off the booze though.

How about Needle and Spoon by Savoy Brown? That's a good heroin tune:
If you get married you can divorce your wife/
but when you're married to H then you're married for life
posted by BinGregory at 5:51 AM on May 22, 2008

Maybe not the drug you had in mind.

Yeah, alcohol, once you get into alcohol songs, well, this thread might never end...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:53 AM on May 22, 2008

Cocaine by Eric Clapton, but that's too easy.
posted by BinGregory at 5:54 AM on May 22, 2008

Ob: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

Black Coffee.

I'm Down to My Last Cigarette.
posted by Slithy_Tove at 5:55 AM on May 22, 2008

Shel Silverstein - The Great Smoke Off
posted by lordrunningclam at 5:55 AM on May 22, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Needle and the Damage Done?

I think this would be harder for me if I had to think of songs not about drugs....
posted by three blind mice at 5:56 AM on May 22, 2008

Having said that, though, I guess I'd include Let's Go Get Stoned, even though Ray only references booze in the lyrics. Still, he says "stoned" and we *know* what he means...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:56 AM on May 22, 2008

Wait, no cocaine?
posted by darkripper at 5:57 AM on May 22, 2008

I think this would be harder for me if I had to think of songs not about drugs....

Well, yeah, if love is a drug, then I guess you have a point.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:58 AM on May 22, 2008

Your mama's on crack rock!
posted by PeterMcDermott at 5:58 AM on May 22, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Wait, no cocaine ?

I never link to Eric Clapton. Never.

But I knew someone would. At least once.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:00 AM on May 22, 2008

Rollin down the street, smokin indo, sippin on gin and juice
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:01 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

My new favourite is Amy Winehouse's Addicted.
posted by yellowbinder at 6:02 AM on May 22, 2008

Also, are we talking about this cake in this song?
posted by darkripper at 6:02 AM on May 22, 2008

I don't suppose you want a Bob Marley discography either, but how about Easy Skanking from Kaya?
Excuse me while I light my spliff/
Oh God I got to take a lift/
posted by BinGregory at 6:02 AM on May 22, 2008

Uno, duo, Uno, duo, tre, quatro!
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:04 AM on May 22, 2008

PeterMcDermott, that song is hilarious.
posted by Max Power at 6:05 AM on May 22, 2008

Your mama's on crack rock!

Thank you PeterMcDermott. That was truely the best of the web.

And of course the classic:

Cab Calloway's Reefer Man!
posted by three blind mice at 6:05 AM on May 22, 2008

From the recent Acoustic Mainlines tour, the best song about drugs ever:

Spiritualized (pt1) - I Think I'm In Love (pt2).

Accept no substitute, except this one: the excellent Deep Dish version of the excellent Chemical Brother's version of the same track.
posted by vbfg at 6:09 AM on May 22, 2008

And my absolute all time favourite drug song. Can't find the James Booker original, so a Dr. John cover will have to stand in for the awesomeness: Junco Partner

I want whiskey, whiskey, whiskey when I'm thirsty
I want water when I'm dry
I want my lover when I'm lonely
And a little heroin, just before I die
With a little cocaine, little cocaine, little cocaine on the side
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:10 AM on May 22, 2008

Cab Calloway's Reefer Man!

Check FPP, 3bm, check FPP. Or maybe you oughtta start linking to love songs!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:13 AM on May 22, 2008

Cab Calloway's Reefer Man!

Check FPP, 3bm, check FPP. Or maybe you oughtta start linking to love songs!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:13 AM on May 22, 2008

Hmm... a comment so nice they posted it twice.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:13 AM on May 22, 2008

repeat after me

FLAPJAXFILTER!
FLAPJAXFILTER
FLAPJAXFILTER!


the man is too cool for school
posted by timsteil at 6:17 AM on May 22, 2008

Check FPP, 3bm, check FPP. Or maybe you oughtta start linking to love songs!

My bad flapjax at midnite. Your good.

And dude, I AM linking to love songs.

Five songs that are obviously all about drugs but the artists insist are about fluffy by bunnies and such like...
posted by three blind mice at 6:18 AM on May 22, 2008

James Booker: Junco Partner
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:22 AM on May 22, 2008

Bongzilla:

Sacred Smoke

Grim Reefer

Smoke Like the Wind

Keefmaster

Amerijuanican

These guys love weed so much they've dedicated every song they've ever written to it. Wait, that's not true. Every now and then they sing about hash.
posted by The Straightener at 6:22 AM on May 22, 2008

Two songs in which addiction is a metaphor for love:
Skull Snaps - My hang up is you
Montclairs - Hung up on your love
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:27 AM on May 22, 2008

Don't Bring Harry | Heroin
posted by mattoxic at 6:28 AM on May 22, 2008

The Reefer Song, by Mindless Drug Hoover.
posted by biscotti at 6:28 AM on May 22, 2008

Andre Nickatina:
Ayo for Yayo
posted by generalist at 6:29 AM on May 22, 2008

whoops!
posted by mattoxic at 6:30 AM on May 22, 2008

More Andre Nickatina:
Smoke Dope and Rap
posted by generalist at 6:33 AM on May 22, 2008

oops
Smoke Dope and Rap
posted by generalist at 6:34 AM on May 22, 2008

Acid Queen
posted by mattoxic at 6:39 AM on May 22, 2008

Al Kooper version of the John Prine song Sam Stone.

John Hartford Two Hits and the Joint Turned Brown.

John Lennon - John Sinclair.

Gun Club - She's Like Heroin To Me.
posted by Sailormom at 6:42 AM on May 22, 2008

The Monks - Drugs in my Pocket. I loved that song in the 80's and I still love it today. The youtube can't be the video for it though.

thanks flapjack!
posted by ashbury at 6:43 AM on May 22, 2008

The video for Soulwax's E Talking has the whole alphabet.
posted by OutlawedYeomen at 6:46 AM on May 22, 2008

Blue Oyster Cult:
Flaming Telepath

I'm after rebellion
I'll settle for lies
posted by generalist at 6:46 AM on May 22, 2008

here's an nice series of youtube videos of 30s & 40s reefer jazz (a la the first link that flapjax at midnight posted)

off their second album, there's The Goats "Wake and Bake" - myspace here, fourth song down
includes the immortal line: yeah, reach for the stash, cuz you know what I want? a Supercalifragilistic-stoopid-fat-blunt!

and let us not forget Radio Gnome Trilogy from the mighty Gong
here come the Pothead Pixies in their Flying Teapot!

thank you, flapjax at midnight! great idea for a post
posted by jammy at 6:47 AM on May 22, 2008

Here come the nice. He's always there if I need some speed.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 6:53 AM on May 22, 2008

D12:
Purple Pills

Cool, calm, just like my mom
With a couple of valium inside her palm

posted by generalist at 6:58 AM on May 22, 2008

I'm in love with...
posted by stifford at 7:04 AM on May 22, 2008

After too many White Lines, it's no use resisting Rehab: prepare yourself for Cold Turkey.
posted by progosk at 7:11 AM on May 22, 2008

Thanks Three Blind Mice: I'd never known that the Strangler's Golden Brown was about Heroin...i've just always liked the 'bouncy' harpsichord riff.

I think my favorite is Henry (Originally by the New Riders of the Purple Sage)
posted by schyler523 at 7:11 AM on May 22, 2008

Bauhaus - Departure. At first, he thought he'd imagined it because it would not have been out of place with the other strange hallucinatory events of that night

The Dead Kennedys - Too Drunk to Fuck. Went to a party/I danced all night/I drank 16 beers/And I started up a fight

Morphine - Honey White. (well, i think it's about drugs, anyway) And when he smiles he knows Honey's coming back - Honey's gonna want some more angel food
posted by the painkiller at 7:12 AM on May 22, 2008

Third Eye Blind - Semi charmed life
I only found out recently what it was about, and I told my friend and she looked at me like I was retarded.

And does Placebo - Pure Morning ("a friend with weed is better") count?
posted by jacalata at 7:20 AM on May 22, 2008

Merle Haggard: White Line Fever
The Fall: White Line Fever
Motorhead: White Line Fever
posted by generalist at 7:22 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Magazine: Permafrost
posted by flabdablet at 7:24 AM on May 22, 2008

Ween - Booze Me Up and Get Me High
posted by stifford at 7:27 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

No online copies of The Lebron Brothers - Let's Get Stoned, Psychic TV Tune In (Turn on the Acid House) or The Latin Blues Band Featuring Luis Aviles - Take a Trip, so you'll have to take my word for it that they shingaling your boogaloo.

So instead, you get a low quality version of the shamen - phorward (can you pass the acid test?) from 1988 and the stupid, but popular Deadkirks - Your Son is Dead. Higher quality rips of Empirion - Narcotic Influence (giving them drugs taking their lives away) are available for your listening pleasure though.

While we are around the subject, the more positive message of Phuture - We Are Phuture. Doesn't mention drugs, but does mention acid music, which may be considered to be drug influenced, alledgedly.
posted by asok at 7:27 AM on May 22, 2008

More Magazine: Cut Out Shapes - for those with an appreciation of fine anti-psychotics.
posted by flabdablet at 7:30 AM on May 22, 2008

I can't, alas, find any more than a one minute clip from Fats Waller's "Reefer Song." All the YouTube versions are terrible. This one is particularly bad—the guy sings it like he's trying to seduce the joint instead of smoke it.
posted by felix grundy at 7:33 AM on May 22, 2008

"Puff the Magic Dragon".
"Velouria" by the Pixies.
"There She Goes" by the La's.
Just about everything from Perry Ferrell.
posted by Dizzy at 7:34 AM on May 22, 2008

How have we gotten this far without anyone mentioning Rick James - Mary Jane?
Other favs:
Crucial Conflict - Hay
Buckcherry - Lit Up
posted by nooneyouknow at 7:34 AM on May 22, 2008

A couple of more songs I thought of that I'm surprised I haven't seen above:

First, I can't find a good version on you tube but "Down To Seeds And Stems Blues" by Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen.

Also Shel Silverstein (again) I Got Stoned And I Missed It.
posted by lordrunningclam at 7:34 AM on May 22, 2008

There She Goes
posted by imitura at 7:35 AM on May 22, 2008

Take a Trip

Oh yeah, that reminds me!

Northside: Shall we Take a Trip

Dear lord, when I was a wee lad, I thought that was the best song EVAH. Sing LSD/Sing LSD/Aha/Aha/Aha.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 7:35 AM on May 22, 2008

For the record, "cocaine" is a jj cale song.
posted by dan g. at 7:36 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Lil Whyte: Oxy Cotton

From the always excellent YouTube comments:
oxycottin is not prescibed regularly you need govement perition to have it
posted by generalist at 7:37 AM on May 22, 2008

That Fats Waller song is, however, on the whole album of the 30s and 40s Reefer Songs that jammy posted above, if you're downloading.
posted by felix grundy at 7:41 AM on May 22, 2008

Ringo - The No No Song
posted by evilcolonel at 7:45 AM on May 22, 2008

TBD nailed one of my first two thoughts, though I think this is a better version.

My other would be the lesser known Crack City on David Bowie's underappreciated first Tin Machine album, one of the best psychedelic albums nobody knows. It's also one of the nastiest anti-drug songs ever written, IMHO.

I can't do better than this LastFM snippet, sorry.
posted by rokusan at 7:45 AM on May 22, 2008

Never a frown, Golden Brown.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:46 AM on May 22, 2008

How have we gotten this far without anyone mentioning Rick James - Mary Jane?


I did (sort of....) only shortly before you though. :)
posted by stifford at 7:46 AM on May 22, 2008

Totally forgot Ween's Bananas and Blow!
posted by schyler523 at 7:47 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

James Brown - King Heroin
posted by stifford at 7:48 AM on May 22, 2008

Steely Dan: Dr. Wu

Don't seem right
I've been strung out here all night
I've been waiting for the taste
You said you'd bring to me

Hey Nineteen

The Cuervo Gold
The fine Colombian
Make tonight a wonderful thing


Time Out of Mind

Tonight when I chase the dragon
The water will change to cherry wine

Aw fuck it. EVERY STEELY DAN SONG EVER.
posted by generalist at 7:50 AM on May 22, 2008

Tell it To Me, Cocaine Habit Blues
posted by Miko at 7:51 AM on May 22, 2008

The Lebron Brothers - Let's Get Stoned

Great fucking song!

Kilo by Ghostface

A Kilo is a thousand grams, it's easy to remember!
posted by Divine_Wino at 7:56 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Of Montreal - Lysergic Bliss (this version just Kevin and BP)
posted by stifford at 7:57 AM on May 22, 2008

Lennon's Cold Turkey

Marianne Faithful's awesome cover of the Stone's Sister Morphine

Traffic's Hole in the Shoe.

And now it's boozing time.
posted by three blind mice at 7:59 AM on May 22, 2008

I was going to post Golden Brown by the Strangler's also but I see that I was beaten to the punch, twice. Great song. I listened to that tune for over 20 years before I found out it was about heroin!
posted by cazoo at 8:00 AM on May 22, 2008

Soapbar
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:01 AM on May 22, 2008

MC Chris "The Tussin"
(the video isn't official, someone cut Trigun clips to the song).
posted by stifford at 8:01 AM on May 22, 2008

Chinese Rock
posted by cazoo at 8:04 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

And was it Folkjokeopus or Flat Baroque and Berserk on which Roy Harper credited his valued collaborator, one H. Ash?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:05 AM on May 22, 2008

Descendents: Bikeage

sitting there with your mouth fucked up
your eyes are glazed your face is red
who's gonna pick you up and use you for tonight
Not Me
posted by generalist at 8:07 AM on May 22, 2008

The Ramones - Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue
posted by stifford at 8:08 AM on May 22, 2008

No Curtis yet? Superfly, Pusherman, Freddy's Dead.

Best Blaxploitation Soundtrack Evar!
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:28 AM on May 22, 2008

Queens of the Stone Age - The Feel Good Hit of the Summer mentions seven drugs.
posted by euphorb at 8:29 AM on May 22, 2008

Oops. My Freddie's Dead link was borked. Lets try again:

So you wanna be a junkie? Why?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:31 AM on May 22, 2008

And a little Steve Marriott

Itchycoo Park, Thirty Days in the Hole.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:35 AM on May 22, 2008

Some Cypress Hill...
posted by stifford at 8:36 AM on May 22, 2008

Supersuckers - I Want The Drugs (Live).
posted by soundofsuburbia at 8:39 AM on May 22, 2008

Toots & the Maytals 54-46 was My Number
posted by stifford at 8:39 AM on May 22, 2008

And clearly, lots of you people are addicted to bad music. Fortunately, there is a cure for this condition. You just need to sign up to the Reverend Larry Love's Recovery Programme.

Alabama 3, Hypo full of Love
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:48 AM on May 22, 2008

Alabama 3's other great drug song: Cocaine Killed My Community
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:51 AM on May 22, 2008

Lou Reed, I 'm Waiting for the Man
Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Needle and the Spoon
posted by kirkaracha at 8:56 AM on May 22, 2008

"Cocaine by Eric Clapton"
Written and recorded by JJ Cale, ruined by Eric Clapton.
posted by 2sheets at 8:58 AM on May 22, 2008

There is also Eminem's Drug Ballad
posted by skewedoracle at 8:59 AM on May 22, 2008

A Perfect Circle — The Package
posted by Electrius at 9:04 AM on May 22, 2008

Don't forget some classic Debby.
posted by chococat at 9:08 AM on May 22, 2008

How about
Home is where the hatred is - Esther Philips
by Gil Scott Heron and by the same man
Angel Dust.
And wasn't Lou Reed's Perfect Day about a junkie maybe having a day off?
posted by dprs75 at 9:14 AM on May 22, 2008

There is also Eminem's Drug Ballad

I never meant to give you Mushrooms, girl....

(Eminem "My Fault")
posted by stifford at 9:25 AM on May 22, 2008

Did anybody say "Let's Go Smoke Some Pot" by Pennywise? Sung to the tune of 'Let's Go To The Hop' if that helps.
posted by fixedgear at 9:27 AM on May 22, 2008

Bales of Cocaine - Reverend Horton Heat.

Non-Addictive Marijuana - SUPERSUCKERS!
posted by peep at 9:37 AM on May 22, 2008

err, 'At The Hop.'
posted by fixedgear at 9:37 AM on May 22, 2008

fixedgear, I thought that was Dash Rip Rock .
posted by joseph_elmhurst at 9:45 AM on May 22, 2008

I can't believe this one's not linked yet, maybe y'all have seen it too many times to be moved by this amazing song that sounds like it was recorded with the muppet orchestra-

Sniff Swig Puff featuring Bea Arthur and Rock Hudson.
posted by cometwendy at 9:50 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

One of my favorites is a song poem called "Junkies and Monkeys," (sorry for the self link, but it doesn't appear too many places on the net since the SP Archives took down the mp3s).

It's a song in favor of smoking weed over doing heroin and taking LSD. I think.

It's sung by Kay Weaver, a mainstay on the song poem circuit and a feminist filmmaker.
posted by sleepy pete at 9:50 AM on May 22, 2008

Warren Zevon: Carmelita
Linda Ronstadt: Carmelita
GG Allin: Carmelita

He hangs out down on Alvarado Street
At the Pioneer Chicken stand


The man's still there, as far as I know.
posted by generalist at 9:57 AM on May 22, 2008

The Modern Lovers: I'm Straight
posted by hydrophonic at 10:09 AM on May 22, 2008

not that there's a pioneer chicken on alvarado or anything.
posted by generalist at 10:10 AM on May 22, 2008

Super Furry Animals: Something for the Weekend.

First time, I did it for the hell of it
Stuck it on the back of my tongue
And then swallowed it.

Pretty much everything else Gruff Rhys has recorded also qualifies, I suppose.
posted by ceiriog at 10:10 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Drugs have been a continuous theme for the Stones. Sticky Fingers and Let it Bleed are their twin masterpieces of opioid degeneracy with almost every track being somehow junk related, but there's a lot of good stuff in their earlier work as well.

For example, straight people always though Lets Spend the Night Together was about sex. Mods, on the other hand, knew he was singing about something very different.

I'm off my head and my mouth's getting dry.
I'm high, But I try, try, try (Oh my)
Let's spend the night together

We could have fun just moving around,
And around, and around...

Or their ode to respectable drug use, Mother's Little Helper

Mother needs something today to calm her down
And though shes not really ill
Theres a little yellow pill
She goes running for the shelter of a mothers little helper
posted by PeterMcDermott at 10:14 AM on May 22, 2008

Also, for anyone with more than a passing interest in the subject, I'd commend the work of my old friend Harry Shapiro. All his books are good, but his, 'Waiting for the Man' is the definitive treatment of this subject.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 10:17 AM on May 22, 2008

"Something 'bout those little pills..."
posted by neroli at 10:20 AM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Too $hort: City of Dope
posted by generalist at 10:26 AM on May 22, 2008

"The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane" - Jeffrey Lewis

Horrible video really. Sorry.
posted by paddysat at 10:36 AM on May 22, 2008

Germs: Not All Right

living in a fury
life's kinda blurry...
all the scribes are working

posted by generalist at 11:00 AM on May 22, 2008

I'd been kinda morose today, and this thread cheered me up. I started thinking, "Maybe partying will help. Or perhaps I should turn to Jesus and tequila."
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:01 AM on May 22, 2008

Jeez, can't believe noone put this in already Snowblind Friend
posted by lumpenprole at 11:08 AM on May 22, 2008

All this way and no Asylum Street Spankers? Spanker Madness is full of lovely songs, including Beer, Winning the War on Drugs, Wake and Bake, and High as You Can Be.
posted by gingerbeer at 11:33 AM on May 22, 2008

There's also Dealer, by Traffic, off their first album. No video, but here are the lyrics.

Damn, I do like Traffic.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 11:43 AM on May 22, 2008

And how can we forget: Sex, Drugs & Rock and Roll by Ian Dury and the Blockheads.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 11:46 AM on May 22, 2008

The Tubes - White Punks On Dope

AA Bondy - Vice Rag

Tom Petty - Girl on LSD

New York Dolls - Pills

And of course Sweet Leaf
posted by Sailormom at 11:48 AM on May 22, 2008

C is for Cookie

Let's think of other things that starts with "C"!
Uh. . .Uh. . . Who cares about da other things?!

Yeah, he's totally high.
posted by spec80 at 11:56 AM on May 22, 2008

Rodriguez: Sugar Man
posted by Flashman at 12:09 PM on May 22, 2008

Lords of Acid - Marijuana in your Brain
posted by Glow Bucket at 12:12 PM on May 22, 2008

Why is the screen STILL changing colors?

I must be getting a contact buzz.
posted by not_on_display at 12:26 PM on May 22, 2008

Folks at Gawker are adding to the list via their comments.

"Metafilter is trying to compile a list of all the great drug-themed songs. A fool's errand. The Peter Tosh catalogue alone is too great to fathom."

posted by ericb at 12:42 PM on May 22, 2008

How 'bout Minor Threat's "Straight Edge"? Just to be perverse.
posted by bardic at 12:46 PM on May 22, 2008

Jolie Holland: Old Fashioned Morphine
posted by everichon at 1:50 PM on May 22, 2008

Smoke Two Joints by Sublime (words and music by Bob Marley).
posted by doctor_negative at 1:59 PM on May 22, 2008

The Streets: Blinded By The Lights

That's proper rank; that tastes like hairspray...
posted by everichon at 2:10 PM on May 22, 2008

What, no Brewer & Shipley?
posted by joseph_elmhurst at 2:24 PM on May 22, 2008

Brewer and Shipley: One Toke Over the Line
posted by doctor_negative at 2:28 PM on May 22, 2008

Or on preview, what joseph_e said
posted by doctor_negative at 2:29 PM on May 22, 2008

My favorite, Johnny Cash - Cocaine Blues
posted by sanka at 2:29 PM on May 22, 2008

Casey Jones
posted by doctor_negative at 2:31 PM on May 22, 2008

Summer Of Drugs by Victoria Williams.

Here is Soul Asylum doing a cover version.
posted by elmono at 2:50 PM on May 22, 2008

Modest Mouse - The Good Times Are Killing Me
posted by ninjew at 3:34 PM on May 22, 2008

There really are too many to mention. But here are some more in the same vein (ahem). Ezee posse - Everything Starts with an E (as seen previously). More recently, a jolly remix of a classic; Marshall Jefferson - Mushrooms. Enjoy the wicked visuals!

How about food as a theme for your next themed mlytp, Mr Jack?
posted by asok at 3:37 PM on May 22, 2008

stretching the def a bit for a bitchin song:
Dead Moon: D.O.A
posted by generalist at 3:46 PM on May 22, 2008

Low - Dragonfly (about imaginary "dragonfly pills")
posted by troubles at 4:32 PM on May 22, 2008

How about "Ebenezer Goode" by The Shamen? (I don't like the song but there's not much subtlety going on in the lyrics - E's good! E's good! How blatant!)
posted by h00py at 5:53 PM on May 22, 2008

Wow -- can't believe White Horse by Laid Back hasn't already been mentioned.

Don't ride the white horse... ride the white pony

One of the many things that outraged my father back in the day.
posted by bpm140 at 5:53 PM on May 22, 2008

The Frogs - I've Got Drugs.
posted by p3t3 at 6:15 PM on May 22, 2008

"Puffy Clouds" by Ween (Spoken Word Version by a different group)

"Got To Get You Into My Life" was McCartney's love song to marijuana.

"What's The New Mary Jane" by The Beatles

"Old Red Eyes Is Back" by The Beautiful South

Stew (by himself and with The Negro Problem) has some great drug use songs, the best of which is probably "Rehab," though “The Drug Suite (I Must’ve Been High/I’m Not On A Drug/Arlington Hill)” is also pretty amazing

"Red Red Wine" as made popular by UB40

"Cracklin' Rosie" by Neil Diamond

"Bad" by U2 is about heroin

and who can forget the greatest song about attempted drunken date rape ever:

"Funky Cold Medina" by Tone Loc
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:32 PM on May 22, 2008

Jack White interview from Australia's Big Day Out festival. From my personal experience and seeing people who were on coke, I'd say Jack's probably (actually, obviously) partaken of the stuff just prior to being interviewed. And the White Stripes are supposed to be named after the candy of the same name, but some people think they're named after nose candy, and after seeing this interview, I'd have to agree.

Pato Banton -- Legalize It

Pato Banton -- I do Not Sniff the Coke I couldn't find the single or album version, and all the YouTube clips are live and of poor quality. This one had the best audio of the lot, but it's still not great. Here are the lyrics (which I always found amusing):

Now this one is dedicated to the people all over
Remember the words of your crucial entertainer
When I say I do not sniff the coke I only smoke the sensimilla

I do not sniff the coke i only smoke. sensimilla!

Without a doubt I am the boss, in my class I am the teacher
If music is the fruit of life then I will be a reaper.
If M.C. business was a school then iI would be head master
If a car I'd be the driver, if a bike I'd be the rider.
If M.C. business was a church Pato would be the vicar
Then instead of calling me M.C. you all would call me preacher
But fun and joke aside I want to get serious in this matter
And dedicate this style to each and every cocaine dealer

In February 1985 Pato became a winner
Because I did that tune called Hello Tosh Gotta Toshiba!
It shooted up the charts and nearly gave my mom heart failure
She looked at me and said:

"Son me glad me grow you proper
A son like you would be the pride and joy of any mother
No make the fame get to your head just think about your future."

Those words of encouragement just made me push on further
To break down any walls and also break through any barrier
I got a lot of guidance from G.T. who is my manager
Assistance from Don Christie fashion helped me cross the border
I also got a lot of aid from good good sensimilla
That's why I do not snort the coke I only burn the ganja!

One day I had to catch a train from Birmingham to London
Half way on my journey was approached by this white ruffian
With greasy hair and scruffy jeans he looked just like a villain
He sat down opposite me with a Tennants (lager) in his right hand
But I don't judge appearance i just check the way you galong
So I introduced myself to him as Mr. Pato Banton

"Nice to meet ya, my name's Roadie and I work with P.A. hire
I've heard your name some place before but I just can't remember
But anyway I'm very very very glad to meet ya
And I've got some dope it's first class coke you can have this for a fiver."

I looked down on the table and saw a piece of silver paper
Inside this silver paper was some powder looked like flour
Me asked: What it do for you? It give you strength and power?
Now everyone I want you to hear the way that Roadie answered:

"Well Mr. Pato Banton the sensation is fine
It makes me see green men and then I go to cloud nine
All my worries and problems are left miles behind
So no matter where I am I have a brilliant time
If you don't believe me hold on and I'll fix you a line
Just take one sniff of this and you'll be out of your mind."

But I took the coke and threw it right outside the carriage window
Before he could say a word I quickly built up a five-sheeter
Into my pocket for my sensi and my lighter
I lit it with a flash and then to Roadie passed it over
I could see that he was loving it because of his expression
Me tell him: This is sensi the healing of the nation
In some places doctors use it for herbal medication
Ronald Reagan smoke it just before him go on television
After Margaret Thatcher visit him she bring some back to England
Then distributes it equally throughout the House of Commons
But fun and joke aside it gives me deep deep meditation
It fills my heart with niceness and I get nuff inspiration
You could be any colour any creed or any nation
After smoking sensimilla I know you'll find the reason
Why I do not sniff coke i only smoke sensimilla!
posted by Devils Slide at 7:04 PM on May 22, 2008

The Verve -- The drugs don't work
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:15 PM on May 22, 2008

And if you give me weed, whites and wine,
And if you show me a sign,
I'll be willin'
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:22 PM on May 22, 2008

Renegade SoundWave - Cocaine Sex (fast version. slower one is better, IMO)

Scratch Acid - Mary Had A Little Drug Problem (live. bad sound.)
posted by Zack_Replica at 7:31 PM on May 22, 2008

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:32 PM on May 22, 2008

Ooh and here's a bit of lovely, cringy Australian nostalgia: "Marijuana Australiana" by The Bushwackers.
posted by h00py at 7:34 PM on May 22, 2008

How about The Cramps - New Kind of Kick and Drug Train.
Urge Overkill - What is Artane?

I'm so tired of bleeding
It's like some fallen angel
On sixty third at cottage grove
Don't you know that I'm on Artane?
posted by Sailormom at 8:07 PM on May 22, 2008

High As Hell by Nashville Pussy

High As F#%k by Jon LaJoie
posted by BartonFink at 8:08 PM on May 22, 2008

Urge Overkill - What is Artane?

I don't think the anti-psychotics have any place in this celebration of recreational drug use. ;-)
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:15 PM on May 22, 2008

Who Put The Benzedrine In Mrs Murphy's Ovaltine (but not alas by Harry The Hipster, qv)
posted by motty at 8:34 PM on May 22, 2008

Sorry for the Wikipedia link, but I thought Herman Brood should be in this thread.
posted by kozad at 10:20 PM on May 22, 2008

Got a couple classics from the Velvet Underground catalog missing, don't we?

White Light/White Heat
Heroin
posted by hippugeek at 10:24 PM on May 22, 2008

Mary Jane - Janis Joplin
posted by goo at 12:47 AM on May 23, 2008

Mariguana cha-cha-cha - Ákos Stefi (1958)
posted by jammy at 5:29 AM on May 23, 2008

GWAR:
Jagermonster
Krak Down
Nitro Burning Funny Bong
... and a great deal of between-song banter.
posted by eccnineten at 7:36 AM on May 23, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Got a couple classics from the Velvet Underground catalog missing, don't we?

Sister Ray is the Velvets best drug song. It's got everything: intravenous drug use, shoplifters, rent boys, oral sex, transvestites, sailors, guns a fantastic farfisa and a beat that never lets up.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 11:55 AM on May 23, 2008

The Beatles - Doctor Robert
The Temptations - Cloud Nine
Frank Zappa - Cosmik Debris
posted by TrialByMedia at 4:55 PM on May 23, 2008

The Warlocks have Shake the Dope Out and another called The Dope Feels Good--but the YouTube video of that one is terrible.
posted by bink at 5:14 PM on May 23, 2008