Top 10 Heroin-Inspired Songs

Does Keith Richards remember co-writing this tune with Mick Jagger? Probably not. Does "dead flowers" refer to heroin, a relationship gone sour or both? Who knows. Does "little susie" = brown heroin? Very likely. "Dead Flowers" - as performed by the late, great Townes Van Zandt - appears on The Big Lebowski soundtrack. The song also has been recorded by Steve Earle and Poison, among others. "Well when you're sitting back in your rose pink Cadillac/Making bets on Kentucky Derby Day/Ah, I'll be in my basement room with a needle and a spoon/And another girl to take my pain away . . ."

According to an urban legend, "Fire and Rain" deals with a girlfriend of Taylor's who died in a plane crash. In actuality, the "Suzanne" of the song was actually an acquaintance of Taylor's who committed suicide. The rest of "Fire and Rain" focuses on Taylor's efforts to kick his heroin addiction. "Won't you look down upon me, Jesus/You've got to help me make a stand/You've just got to see me through another day/My body's aching and my time is at hand/And I won't make it any other way . . ." [Read the review]

A haunting ballad from The Joshua Tree, "Running to Stand Still" deals with a strung-out chick who lives in the notorious Ballymun Flats area of Dublin. "She runs through the streets/With her eyes painted red/Under black belly of cloud in the rain/In through a doorway she brings me/White gold and pearls stolen from the sea/She is raging/She is raging/And the storm blows up in her eyes/She will . . ./Suffer the needle chill/She's running to stand still . . ." [Read the review]

Let's face it, most if not all of the members of Guns N' Roses were strung out at one time or another during the band's meteoric rise and fall. Izzy Stradlin, who wrote the lyrics for "Mr. Brownstone," later sobered up and quit the band during the middle of its infamous world tour in 1991. "Now I get up around whenever/I used ta get up on time/But that old man/He's a real muthafucker/Gonna kick him on down the line . . ."

A personal poem by lead singer Anthony Kiedis detailing his battles with drug addiction, "Under the Bridge" evolved into the band's biggest hit - reaching No 2 on the Billboard Charts. The song also served as a lament for original RHCP guitarist, Hillel Slovak, who died of a heroin overdose in 1988. "Under the bridge downtown/Is where I drew some blood/Under the bridge downtown/I could not get enough/Under the bridge downtown/Forgot about my love/Under the bridge downtown/I gave my life away . . ."

"Discovered" by Kris Kristofferson, Prine released his self-titled debut album to critical acclaim in 1971. "Sam Stone" vividly depicts a heroin-addicted Vietnam veteran ("the gold rolled through his veins, like a thousand railroad trains") who ends up a "flag draped casket on a local hero's hill." The John Prine album also contains such classics as "Hello in There" and "Illegal Smile," among others. "There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes/Jesus Christ died for nothin' I suppose . . ."

One of the most famous anti-heroin songs ever, "The Needle and the Damage Done" was directed at original Crazy Horse guitarist, Danny Whitten, who overdosed at the age of 29 several months after the song's release. Young later remarked about the song: "I am not a preacher, but drugs killed a lot of great men." The song appears on Harvest, which was the best-selling album of 1972. "I've seen the needle and the damage done/A little part of it in everyone/But every junkie's like a settin' sun . . ."

One of Trent Reznor's most personal songs of despair, self loathing and addiction, "Hurt" first appeared on The Downward Spiral, which was recorded at the Benedict Canyon home where actress Sharon Tate was murdered by the Manson family in 1969. Johnny Cash covered the song to critical acclaim on his 2002 album, American IV: The Man Comes Around. Not only did Cash personalize the song to such an extent (with help from an awesome video) that he turned it into a moving tribute to his entire life and career, but he also changed one of the lines from "I wear this crown of shit" to "I wear this crown of thorns." Bottom line: "Hurt" is one of the most depressing songs of all time. "I hurt myself today/To see if I still feel/I focus on the pain/The only thing that's real/The needle tears a hole/The old familiar sting/Try to kill it all away/But I remember everything . . ."

The greatness of "Hotel California" lies in the wide range of interpretations the song has provoked over the years. Is it a metaphor for the music business, the mindless hedonism of California in the 1970s, Satan worship, Christian mysticism, drug addiction or simply excess in general? In an interview, Don Henley said the song was "our interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles." Drug references certainly abound throughout "Hotel California," including the word "colitas, which means "little bud" in Spanish. However, some critics say the whole song actually details a descent into heroin addiction. By the way, the image used on the album cover is actually the Beverly Hills Hotel. "There she stood in the doorway/I heard the mission bell/And I was thinking to myself/This could be Heaven or this could be Hell . . ."

Many critics at the time "Heroin" was released asserted that the song advocated drug use. However, the lyrics clearly neither condemn nor endorse heroin. "I'm Waiting for the Man" is another classic Velvet Underground song dealing with heroin. Author Denis Johnson took the title of his acclaimed short story collection, Jesus' Son, from "Heroin" (the story itself was later made into a 1999 cult film starring Billy Crudup and Jack Black). "I don't know just where I'm going/But I'm gonna try for the kingdom, if I can/Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man/When I put a spike into my vein/And I'll tell ya, things aren't quite the same/When I'm rushing on my run/And I feel just like Jesus' son . . ."

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User Comments - Add a Comment

None - 2007-10-21 19:06:29

What about Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd?

Anonymous - 2007-10-28 14:07:52
Has everyone missed the implications of Simon and Garfunkle's "Bridge Over Troubled Water"?

DW - 2007-11-07 13:06:30
"Signed D.C." by Love?

tourniquetspun - 2007-11-09 08:34:52
how bout Junkie's Promise by Sonic Youth? great song

Anonymous - 2007-11-27 14:34:47
How about "Dancing on Glass" by Motley Crue?

Violetsveil - 2007-12-17 13:33:56
Needle in the Hay By Eliot smith is one.

binarycore - 2007-12-21 20:37:05
skinny puppy - "love in vein"

Dave - 2007-12-24 05:05:43
Ah, how about Cold Turkey by John Lennon?

hawaii bill - 2007-12-29 01:08:58
how about "apple needle kok" by the grapefruit kokpoolers? or "burning lips raisens" by the heroin kokdunkers

Spenny - 2007-12-31 14:53:21
I agree where is Comfortably Numb??

Cat - 2008-01-08 18:50:05
gg allin and the murder junkies "carmelita"

Anonymous - 2008-01-29 12:59:32

She Talks to Angels by the Black Crowes

Joey - 2008-02-08 06:19:11
The Stranglers -"Golden Brown"?

Cheen - 2008-02-10 11:55:27
Yeah the Stranglers 'Golden Brown'.

Paul - 2008-02-12 15:46:58
America - A Horse with No Name 'nuff said.

Frank - 2008-02-25 17:04:16
Yes, I agree, where is Comfortably Numb...?

Einar - 2008-02-26 13:35:27

What about "Perfect day" by Lou Reed

lolo - 2008-02-29 19:30:37
what about poolshark by bradley nowell from sublime

"Jane Says" - 2008-03-02 21:37:54

gonna kick tomorrow

nociv - 2008-03-05 08:46:16
the stranglers - Golden brown should be no 2...

p0op - 2008-03-11 22:10:59

NUTSHELL ALICE IN CHAINS or pretty much their whole catalog could be included

Anonymous - 2008-03-12 20:04:51

What about "Voodoo" by Godsmack

grrl - 2008-03-12 22:51:46
obviously "heroin" by alice in chains. thats an obvious though!

JR - 2008-03-20 00:54:04
"The Abandoned Hospital Ship" or "Spiderbite Song" by The Flaming Lips? "Well it took some time/cause its a lot God, it's a bunch/It's such a big, old, black golden buzz/And yeah it took some help/with lots of machines, the experts could tell/with their equipment pushed to the max... And sure it seems easy now but I tell you what/We were perplexed finding the needle/in the needle's disguise" or "When you got that spider bite on your hand/I thought we would have to break up the band/To lose your arm would surely upset your brain/The poison then could reach your heart from a vein I was glad that it didn’t destroy you/How sad that would be/Cause if it destroyed you/It would destroy me"

Javo - 2008-03-26 21:45:01
fiuk!! all music is made under drugs influence its so hart to choose the top 10

jfh - 2008-03-31 12:03:23
um, happiness is a warm gun- beatles???

someoneelse - 2008-04-06 13:07:31
heroin girl by everclear

JuggsNDrugs - 2008-04-10 20:16:59
"My First Day" by Haystak Since Haystak remains relatively unknown to the MTV/TMZ Generation, then I doubt most people would consider "My First Day" to be one of the Top 10 Heroin-Inspired Songs. Then again, I imagine most of those tossing in nominations have never even tried heroin, much less been addicted to it. So really, what do you expect. Anyway, for those of you who capable of appreciating music that does not conform to Clear Channel Communications/Billboard standards for Top 40 radio play, I suggest you check out this song. Here is a video I found on YouTube. It's not an official video to the song, but rather an individual (and incorrect) interpretation of the song's message. So listen to the song, but pay no attention to the video. Enjoy. JuggsNDrugs "My First Day" by Haystak [ Intro ] Sometimes I write about something, that like something I went through Or something my people went through And I felt like they needed some motivational shit And it usually ends up going something like this... ( Chorus ) My first day, without you in my life Things felt strange, a bit deranged Even so, I hope you're doin okay Take it slow, you just never know... ( just never know, oh!) Yo, you just never know... nooo (just never know, oh!) You just never know... nooo (just never know, oh!) ( Verse 1 ) My systems caught in conniption, stomach in knots Feedin for my medicine, overcoming addiction The first step is quittin, nah the first steps admittin I got a problem, I need help, this is something I can't beat myself I almost felt like I can't be cured Rehab won't take me cuz I ain't insured Layin in the bath tub, shakin like a new born Searchin for the courage it'll take for me to move on I've been livin life like this way too long Beggin God please, bring me home I stopped before, three or four days Always end up back in the same place People call me a junkie, dope fiend How they gonna judge me, they don't even know me Lights off, wanna be left alone, I'm tryin to enjoy the methodone Put a Jimi Hendrix record on, and excuse me while I kiss the sky Dosed off, woke up, sick to my stomach, ran to the bathroom Started to vomit, the methodone wore off and the withdrawal started That first day was the hardest... ( Chorus ) ( Verse 2 ) Stayed strong, endured the rough weather I ain't fully recovered but I'm doin much better I can keep my food down to shakes and calms They lowerin the doses of methodone I eat V's and blow lots of dro It's like chewin gum when you're tryin not to smoke Keep my mind occupied, calm my nerves It's not the same high, deep inside I... Just want one more but I can't turn back this week for it But I done made it, almost a month With just a couple of V's and I blew some blunts But that weed and gonna make me OD That other shit was gonna kill me Six weeks, and everything seem so clear Before I knew it, time flew and I was clean for a year Can't believe something started off socially Something I almost allowed to take over me Days went by and it was sixteen months And I swear to God I didn't fall off once I, feel like a brand new guy and I'm definetly livin a brand new life Some days I still resist the thirst but none's worst than the first (believe that) ( Chorus ) ( Verse 3 ) Two years and I ain't touched it Got a lot done, I been so productive Rebuilt, I was so constructive Can't believe I was so self destructive Got a good job and I make big bucks Went to the lot and got a new pick up Got a brand new crib and a brand new kid I think anybody can quit if I did If you wanna quit, get up and go get the shit Walk straight to the toilet, drop it, flush it, fuck it, fight it Just resist it and if this helps then just keep listenin When you start slippin I'll send you another one Sonny, wasup?, we just saved another one I know it's so hard like there's no God But through him you're able to go so far Hey, I don't wanna sound corny I'm just like you either hungry or horny Seems as though we get hooked so easily Quitting becomes an impossibility I ain't sayin treat your body like a church Just don't let dope put your body in a hearse The streets inside you, you just gotta search And know that no day be harder than the first ( Chorus ) [ Outro ] Yo, all my people, goin through they thing Whatever they thing may be Just know, God got his hands on you And he'll grant you the serenity To change the things you can't And you can change that, aight Hold me down and I'ma hold you down... one

Lottie - 2008-04-25 03:40:51
Beetlebum by Blur

sqrl - 2008-05-03 01:48:18
there she goes by the las

esmith - 2008-05-08 04:09:45
Another Girl, Another Planet by The Only Ones... that's a good one.

feedyourhead - 2008-05-08 12:00:40
Horse With No Name is just a song. The lyrics mean nothing in particular let alone being about heroin. This is what the band members of America said. I always thought that it was about heroin too. It caught my interest when it first came out because I liked to indulge myself. Hotel California isn't about anything either. The Eagles say not to read into the song. As far as Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd: "Roger Waters wrote the lyrics. While many people thought the song is about drugs, Waters claims it is not. The lyrics are about what he felt like as a child when he was sick with a fever. As an adult, he got that feeling again sometimes, entering a state of delirium, where he felt detached from reality."

Anonymous - 2008-05-14 13:49:36
Captain Jack Billy Joel

TJ - 2008-05-16 23:24:11
obviously you have never done drugs if you think that comfortably numb isn't about drugs. watch the movie. they shoot him up while he sings it. And horse with no name refers to a pale white horse... cocaine... they ALWAYS say its not about drugs because back then it wasnt okay

Anna Bodot - 2008-05-30 12:14:14
"Cold Blue Steel & Sweet Fire" - Joni Mitchell. Clearly about H. I lost my darling friend Terri to an overdose - probably suicide. Cuts me to the bone let alone his mom and sister. Terri tried suicide once before. I went to the hospital to see him and the staff treated him like shit. He said, "I'm just tired. Ya know, just tired." 44 year old genius lost.....why?????

Ben - 2008-05-31 20:45:27
This is about materialism and excess. California is used as the setting, but it could relate to anywhere in America. Don Henley in the London Daily Mail November 9, 2007 said: "Some of the wilder interpretations of that song have been amazing. It was really about the excesses of American culture and certain girls we knew. But it was also about the uneasy balance between art and commerce." On November 25, 2007 Henley appeared on the TV news show 60 Minutes, where he was told, "everyone wants to know what this song means." Henley replied: "I know, it's so boring. It's a song about the dark underbelly of the American Dream, and about excess in America which was something we knew about." (thanks, Emma - Westfield, ME)

dick_fitts - 2008-06-01 20:22:46
I can't believe nobody here has mentioned "China Girl" -- the classic tune written by Iggy Pop and recorded and brought to prominence in 1983 by David Bowie (both of whom had well-documented struggles with heroin). There are so many veiled references to smack and addiction in the song, and they're given life in Bowie's 1983 video for it. Notice the changes in the little China girl's appearance and wardrobe, the way they constantly morph from deathly pale to outright ostentatious and vibrant, in the video. It mirrors the life and psychosomatic viewpoint of the addict caught in the hell of the high brought about by the drug and the subsequent withdrawal sickness after the high has disappeared: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSfndZfKFNU&feature=related

baldy13 - 2008-06-21 22:47:48
can't forget about jane say's-janes addiction..