meandthestereo

Can cause Murder?

Many musicians and rock songs have made mention of recreational pharmaceuticals. Whether it be an overt declaration or a discreet revelation, these substances have made their way into the lyrics of songs of most every genre for many, many years. But one recreational substance is mentioned very frequently. Can you guess which one it is? From bammy to zambi and ganja to weed; cannabis by any other name is still cannabis. And it is the old faithful of recreational drugs…at least according to music.

From the time Stephen Tyler declared he’d be “…sleepin’ late and smokin’ tea!”, MJ has been referred to hundreds, if not thousands, of times in musical compositions all around the world. Although, some songs I find more entertaining in their use and description than others.

There is a great song from Sublime called ‘Smoke Two Joints’. It makes me laugh every time I hear it. There’s one line in particular that cracks me up…it goes something like this: “I smoke two joints before I smoke two joints, and then I smoke two more”. Instant classic! Okay Brad, did you see any foreshadowing here? Apparently not, but we didn’t listen to this song for formal education. We listened to it for the ecstatic celebration of the singer’s favorite substance to abuse.

I see what you did there...

Another great one comes from our friends in Cypress Hill. The song is called ‘Hits From the Bong’. It is just as entertaining as the previous song I mentioned, but this singer openly declares his love for this pharmaceutical. He even provides a mini-lesson: “…And then take that finger off that hole, plug it, unplug it, don’t strain! I love you Mary Jane!” I wonder if Mary was blushing after that heart-felt assertion? No surprises; these dudes are insane in the membrane!

No discussion of burning a blunt would be complete without mentioning the quintessential song about the leaf that is loved (or hated) by so many. I’m talking about the song from Black Sabbath entitled ‘Sweet Leaf’. This song probably has one of the most distinct opening lines: Ozzy coughing in an endless loop until Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi come crushing in with a kick-ass, sludgy guitar riff to get the song moving. Ozzy declares his love for pharmaceuticals in this way: “My life is free now, my life is clear, I love you sweet leaf, though you can’t hear!” Ah, unrequited love. Poor Ozzy. What’s a man to do when he declares his love, but gets nothing in return? No wonder he’s ‘Flyin’ High Again’.

I neither condone nor condemn the use of recreational pharmaceuticals. I stand before you neutral on the subject. But there is no denying the celebrated obsession with this activity in music. From the psychedelic 60’s to the grungy 90’s, it seems many musicians found comfort in dating Mary Jane.