Todays Apocalypse Sign: Yes, A Top Ten List

I thought today I would delve into something outside my main blog theme and get something out of my head that has been running around in there denting up my skull.

Once I decided to do a top ten on this subject, I quickly realized that this most likely will be a multi-part mini-theme as there are lots of...

Songs With Overt or Covert Drug Lyrics

I know top ten lists are not original and the subject most surely isn't but it is MY list in MY order and it may stimulate some memories, provoke some thoughts, and maybe stir up some controversy...who knows. Anyway, I wanted to do this to see how deep this really goes beyond the obvious songs (like "Cocaine") and once my brain latches onto a thought or a subject it runs off on its own to have fun exploring. Sooooo...

Here are the top ten for this post. Feel free to comment or get your brother to comment:

#10
      Snowblind Friend - Hoyt Axton/Steppenwolf     Drug Reference: Cocaine, whatelse?
         I first heard this song not long after Born To Be Wild came out. At the time I really didn't get it but the song had a nice melody to it and was somewhat catchy to sing a long to. Then I got it. Until recently I never new Hoyt Axton recorded this song.

#9
      Eight Miles High - The Byrds      Drug Reference: Take your pick, Pot, Heroin, LSD, etc.
         This is another one I heard when I was growing up and just liked the song for its ethereal sound. And like #10, I didn't get it at the time. it is however a keeper as I periodically listen to to this day.

#8
      Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix        Drug Reference: LSD
         This is the album you had to hide from your parents. I know I did. This represented a whole new kind of experience, if ya know what I mean. The song just screamed anti-establishment and counter-culture. It separated the enlightened from the squares. Alas I speak too much. Known of course for that early great mis-quoted lyric '' 'scuse me while I kiss this guy". I had friends wanting to fight someone who didn't believe that was the lyric.

#7
      White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane       Drug Reference: LSD
          With the unforgettable line "One pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small, and the ones that mother gives don't do anything at all."  Pretty clear this was not Carroll's child's novel. As with most people who got into the Airplane, this song was my first flight.

#6
      Needle and Spoon - Lynerd Skynerd      Drug Reference: Heroin, obviously
          This song hit it hard, "with a needle and a spoon, take a trip to the moon." All of Skynerd's songs of that time were just rockers and I loved them all. But this one was a little intense like a shot between the eyes.

#5
      People Are Strange - The Doors       Drug Reference: LSD, peyote, etc.
          Ah...Jim Morrison...there was no hiding the intent of this song. Just review the lyrics and you can bet he was writing from experience. I am a huge Doors fan and I listened to their vinyl until it wouldn't play anymore.

#4
      Hotel California - The Eagles        Drug Reference: Heroin or none...this is a controversial one
          Most people think this song is just what it sounds like a good time California drug and sex orgy. Others believe it has to do with satanical cults and there are a couple other theorys. I side with most people. Who hasn't been drivin' late at night when this song came on and then sang every word to it? It is one of many great Eagles songs.

#3
      Cocaine - Eric Clapton          Drug Reference: Asprin...just kidding, cocaine of course
         To me Eric Clapton is one of the great musicians and guitar players. Layla is one of my all-time favorite songs and Cocaine is a close second. It has that instantly recognizable intro that just pounds your brain and runs for the whole song.

#2
      Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin        Drug Reference: Hallucinogens, take your pick
          This one is another controversial one. I just loved this song so much I never really tried to decode it. Zep is the be all end all when it comes to originality, creating outside the box, and staying power of the music. I am kind of on the fence with this one after reading so much about those  lyrics from so many people. It may or may not belong on this list but it is Zep, and it is one of the greatest songs of all time for both Plant and Page...just brilliant stuff. Probably some drug involvement given the times.

#1
       Sweet Leaf - Black Sabbath       Drug Reference: Marijuana
           Loved Sabbath in this whole era (when Ozzie was really Ozzie and not the mummy he is now). When the opening cords of this song come on, it's like a punch in the gut...hard driving bass that never lets up. Ozzie was at his best vocally and the song is just mesmerizing. I listen to it frequently still.

So there you it...the first ten. I am sure i should have organized better and maybe even sub-sorted by drug type but I really didn't want to overthink it. If you have something to say, please feel free to comment.

Until next time...don't try this at home.