Psychedelic Sounds with Drug References: Which Rock is That?
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In this blog post, we’ll be discussing psychedelic sounds with drug references in rock music. We’ll explore how these sounds are used to create an atmosphere of drug use, and how they can be used to enhance the listening experience.
The Beatles – “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”
The Beatles were one of the most influential bands of all time, and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is one of their most iconic songs. The lyrics are believed to be about LSD, and the song was reportedly inspired by a drawing that John Lennon’s son, Julian, made of his classmate Lucy O’Donnell.
The Rolling Stones – “Mother’s Little Helper”
The Rolling Stones – “Mother’s Little Helper”
The 1966 song “Mother’s Little Helper” by The Rolling Stones is a commentary on the use of drugs by housewives in the 1960s. The lyrics refer to various drugs such as LSD, heroin, and speed.
The Kinks – “Lola”
The Kinks created one of the most famous songs about transvestitism with “Lola,” released in 1970 on their album Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One. The song is written from the perspective of a young man who has just met a pre-operative transgender woman in a bar and is instantly smitten.
In an interview with Smash Hits in 1981, Ray Davies said that the song was based on a real encounter he’d had in Paris. “I changed a few details, because I wanted to protect her identity, but everything else – including meeting her in a club where Rolling Stones player Ronnie Wood was also hanging out – is true,” he said.
The Who – “I Can See for Miles”
The Who’s “I Can See for Miles” is a perfect example of a song that uses psychedelic sounds to create an otherworldly atmosphere. The ethereal opening riff is played on a theremin, an early electronic instrument that is controlled without being touched – which gives it a spooky, disconnected sound. The riff is doubled by a distorted guitar, and then the whole band comes in with a massive wall of sound. The lyrics are about longing for someone who is far away, and the vastness of the soundscape mirrors the vastness of the emotions being conveyed.
Led Zeppelin – “Ramble On”
“Ramble On” is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, appearing as the eighth track on their second album Led Zeppelin II. It was composed by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant while they were on tour in Jönköping, Sweden in September 1969. The majority of the lyrics were written by Plant during a stopover in Mumbai, India.
The opening lines of the song are a reference to Lord of the Rings: “Leaves are falling all around, it’s time I was on my way.” The next verse makes a veiled reference to lettered highway Route 66: “Thanks to you I’m much obliged for such a pleasant stay.” The chorus includes the line “Ramble On, Gollum,” which is sung in a high-pitched voice by Plant and is a direct quote from J.R.R Tolkien’s character Gollum in The Fellowship of the Ring.
The song has been interpreted as being about Plant’s travels and experiences with drugs. In an interview with Guitar World in 1993, Page spoke about how drugs influenced the making of Led Zeppelin II: “We were touring nonstop and doing a lot of drugs… We were just trying everything because it was all available and it was something to do… We were constantly searching for something new.”
Pink Floyd – “The Wall”
While not as popular as some of their other albums, “The Wall” is one of the most well-known Pink Floyd albums – and for good reason. The album is a concept album that tells the story of a man who is slowly driven into insanity. The lyrics are full of drug references, and the sound is very psychedelic.
The Doors – “The End”
The Doors’ classic tune “The End” is one of the most well-known and iconic pieces of psychedelic music. The song is laden with drug references, from the opening line “Father, I want to kill you” to the repeated statements of “I need you. / I can’t explain it / I just need you.” The latter line is especially significant, as it is often interpreted as a plea for help from an addict begging for their next fix.
Despite its dark subject matter, “The End” is an incredibly powerful and haunting song that exemplifies the best of what The Doors had to offer. The band’s use of keyboards and guitars create a wall of sound that envelops the listener, while Jim Morrison’s vocals are both seductive and chilling. It’s no wonder that this song has become synonymous with the psychedelic era.
