Drug Songs in Folk Music

Cocaine, Marijuana, and Heroin in Blues and Traditional Genres

Jun 15, 2009

Music and drugs have had a long and sordid love affair. Read on for the history of drugs in folk music.

Folk music, perhaps more than any other genre, is a reflection of the culture of the people. And to be blunt, people like drugs. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is a long history of drugs in Folk songs, from the bawdy drinking songs of Ireland to the Blues cocaine ballads of the American South, and all vices in between.

Three common drugs that are sung about in folk music are marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.

Marijuana in Folk Music

Drugs are forever associated with the counter-culture of the 1960’s. Also associated with that time is folk music. But while LSD was the drug in ‘sex drugs and rock and roll,’ folk music was not as involved in it. If anything, the drug of choice was marijuana, and was generally not an influence until the merging of Folk and Rock in the late 1960’s and early 70‘s.

Below are two examples of marijuana oriented songs from the late 60’s and early 70’s, “Panama Red” and “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.”

Panama Red, by Peter Rowan

Panama Red is a strain of marijuana that is very popular among users for its intensity of high. It is also a cleverly worded song by Peter Rowan first recorded by his band, Old and in the Way, a progressive bluegrass band featuring such notables and Jerry Garcia and David “Dawg” Grisman.

“Panama Red” tells the story of a “man,” Panama Red, who comes to town and affects the townsfolk. Nobody wants to work, everyone acts lazy and crazy, and all the ladies are sneaking off with Panama Red. The double meaning is obvious to those who know what Panama Red is, but it was hidden enough that the song became a minor radio hit for the band The New Riders of the Purple Sage.

Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35, by Bob Dylan

“Everybody must get stoned!” is the refrain to “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” went, and you can be sure that Bob Dylan meant it. Rainy Day Women uses the multiple meanings of the word “stone” to show how society grinds-- or stones-- the average person down:

“They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin to make a buck/ they’ll stone ya and then they’ll say ’good luck.”

The song was very controversial at the time, but the controversy only added to its popularity. Rainy Day Women reached #2 on the U. S. pop singles chart.

Cocaine in Folk Music

There is a long history of cocaine in traditional folk and blues. Cocaine was an easy to get goodtime drug and stimulant in America during the 1800’s and until regulation in the 1900’s. Cocaine is a highly addictive drug, and it is not uncommon to act irrationally and violently on it.

As folk ballads are often based on truth, many songs about cocaine, both positive and negative, appeared in the culture. An example of the latter is “Cocaine Blues.”

Cocaine Blues, by Traditional & Red Arnall

There are actually several songs that go by the name “Cocaine Blues.” The one referred to here is a variation of the traditional murder ballad “Little Sadie.”

This version of “Cocaine Blues” was written by Red Arnall, but made famous by Johnny Cash at his 1968 concert and recording at Folsom Prison. It is the story of a man, who while high on cocaine, shoots his cheating wife. He tries to go on the run, but is taken in, tried and sentenced to 99 years in prison.

Heroin in Folk Music

Heroin is one of the most dangerous of drugs ever conceived. There are many songs about heroin in Rock and Punk--sometimes it seems that every song by the Velvet Underground is about or is inspired by heroin, and the early New York punk scene was awash in heroin. Heroin worked its way into folk music as well, but on a smaller scale.

Miss Heroin, by Anonymous & Peggy Seeger

The anonymous poem “Miss Heroin” first started appearing on posters in the early 1970’s. It is a brutally honest poem, using the metaphor of an unhealthy love affair to express the horror of heroin addiction.

Folksinger Peggy Seeger, brother to Pete and Mike and wife to folksinger Ewan MacColl, recorded an a cappella version of “Miss Heroin” for MacColl’s album Kilroy Was Here. The lack of accompaniment showcases the uncompromising nature of the lyrics.

Songs are a reflection of culture, and every culture has its vices. Whether its marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or even cigarettes and alcohol, addictions have made their way into all aspects of culture. That even includes music.

The copyright of the article Drug Songs in Folk Music in Folk Music is owned by Craig Sanders. Permission to republish Drug Songs in Folk Music in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.