Tag: music

Drugs have been a part of rock and roll since day one. Eric Clapton, in “Cocaine,” from the 1977 hit record, Slowhand, openly talks about the varying aspects of cocaine.  The Expendables, in their stoner anthem, “Bowl For Two,” off their 2004 album, Getting’ Filthy, did the same thing- only regarding cannabis. Both artists had a very close tie to their subject matter- drugs. Not Clapton and the Expendables, but both of them and their drug of choice were an inspiration to one another.

At one point in history, whether it was in our lifetime, our parent’s, or even our grandparents, cocaine, as well as marijuana weren’t thought about twice. Since the time cocaine was discovered in the mid 1880s, up until it became illegal in the U.S, everyday people used it everyday. Cocaine was sold in the forms of cigarettes, powder, and a mixture that came packaged with a needle. In the United States, first restrictions for the sale of cannabis started in 1906 in the District of Columbia. Although it was later criminalized completely by the federal government, a few forms of state government have decriminalized the substance.

There is however, a difference between the two drugs. Both have taken different paths that every new creation must take. Cocaine has been found to serve no good in just about every possible way. It is now illegal, and along with that comes stigma. Marijuana, on the other hand, is currently coming full circle and although critiqued by just about everyone, the two no longer share the same platform. At one point it was equally, if not more, socially accepted by the general public than cocaine. Both songs mentioned above were written at a time when talking about the usage of particular drugs was acceptable for rockstars. The social issues both these songs address will always relate to anyone who takes part in listening, fully understanding, and/or partaking in the themes of their music choice.

Eric Clapton and The Expendables both have a very open take on their drug of choice. It is no secret that the two artists clearly practiced what they preached. Clapton went through drug troubles of his own while The Expendables are still practicing cannabis users. Personal experience translates their highs into lyrics. For example, Clapton sings, “If you got bad news and you want to kick them blues; cocaine.” On the other hand, The Expendables sing, “gonna kick back relax, make sure the ganja’s packed, and we’ll feel alright.”  They also refer to the different kind of highs from the drugs, cocaine-“upper” and marijuana-“downer.” In the end, however, they are both searching for the same thing- a substance to help them escape, and or let loose.

In “Cocaine,” and “Bowl For Two,” drugs are the sole topic of the songs. If one were to take a look at the lyrics from “Cocaine” lay them flat on a page, the word cocaine would appear in every last line. Neither of the two artists takes a back-seat perspective regarding their drug of choice. Every single reference throughout “Bowl For Two” has to deal with smoking marijuana. Both highs are described through metaphors and imagery. The Expendables sing, “we’re flying high now, we’re flying high now, I cannot feel the ground.” They repeat and emphasize, “we’re flying high now, we’re flying high now, my world is spinning round.” Clapton sums it up in a single line: “When your day is done and you wanna run; cocaine.” Cocaine and Marijuana will both pick you up, but in two opposite ways. Clapton describes it as extra energy while The Expendables use it to relax and come down.

Clapton has struggled with drug addiction many times throughout his life. In regards to his drug use, he said, “it might be giving the wrong message to people who were in the same boat as me.” This fact makes it clear that while Clapton was recording the song, cocaine had everything to do with the song. At the same time Clapton was battling his drug problems, he was going through difficult times in his love life and with his band. It is apparent that “Cocaine” was motivated by his current lifestyle because drugs were always around him. In one interview he stated, “…the band was getting very, very loaded, doing way too much.”

“Bowl For Two,” is a direct product of the band’s environment The Expendables grew up and emerged in. Unquestionable, the band developed expertise in California surf rock. They have played in clubs and at house parties all over Santa Cruz for the past 13 years. They are no strangers to marijuana because it goes hand-in-hand with the whole the California surf rock theme. Ryan DeMars, the writer of the song, was asked by NUG Magazine about “Bowl For Two,” and  how cannabis has been a part of the bands lives, and music. He responded, “For me, marijuana helps the creative process in song writing. I stopped smoking for a few months last year and I suffered the worst writers block ever.”

For the average person, it is almost considered taboo to talk about drugs so openly. Rockstars on the other hand, cannot only get away with freely expressing their beliefs and feelings about drugs, but they are even recognized for it. Eric Clapton and The Expendables have a very close tie their respective drugs and are often categorized by it. Drugs have played their part in music long before Clapton was on top of the rock world and will continue to do so long after The Expendables come down.

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