http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPVSuq5Kacw
This is the music video to Semi-charmed Life by Third Eye
Blind. Lyrics are below the video. I recommend reading the lyrics with the
music and then watching the video.
It won't give anything away to say that this song is about
being addicted to crystal meth.
The questions, however, are how does this song balance the
elation of being high with the despair of being addicted? What does the video
itself lend to the topic of addiction? Is it ironic that such a light-hearted
pop song is explicitly about amphetamine addiciton, yet blends in to the
musical landscape of the late 90s? I bet most of us have heard this songs
numerous times and never realized it was about addiction.
We listen to songs with drug references everyday, from Amy
Winehouse to Willy Nelson and a plethora of artist between. A lot of us would
probably agree that music is a pretty important part of our lives. Considering the sometimes clandestine
nature of song meanings, what are some of your favorite songs about addiction?
Does considering the meaning change your mind about that song in any way?
Personally I was amazed that the song was about crystal meth. I've heard it numerous times over the radio and on even have it on my ipod. The song underestimates the consequences of addiction, however it highlights the potential escape that it provides. It almost displays meth as a better alternative when life isn't exactly the way you want it. The song leaves out the negative reality that meth brings with it but simply focuses on why its so great. Weezer's "We're all on drugs" captures the mindset that, in the everyday life of an addict, they are constantly confined to the fact that they are in fact an addict. In the music video, the singer is going somewhere and everyone around him is reminding him he's on drugs. Society can label the individual and remain consistant in reminding them they're an addict.
ReplyDeleteI really like this song, and the funny thing is that this was one of my favorite songs when I was 6 years old. I obviously had no idea of what it was about. All that I liked about it was the "doo doo doo doo doo" part! It is so strange how a song can sound so upbeat and happy even though it is about being addicted to crystal meth. In a way it gives a lighter tone to the subject. I think this song is so popular just because of its catchiness. I don't think that the music listening population particularly enjoys songs about drugs and addiction but what is truly attractive is the music itself.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that such a popular song, that many kids know too, is about being addicted to crystal meth. This song is about how he is using meth to get through life though he no longer wants to be addicted. The girl wants more than just the sex in drugs from him, and when she says goodbye he does not care because he is addicted and just wants more. The upbeat happier feel of the song makes it seem like being addicted is not as big of a deal as it actually is. This does not change my mind about the song is any way because there are so many other songs out there that are also about drugs and or sex.
ReplyDeleteEven if it's ironic that this catchy, 90's power pop song is about amphetamine use, it's not atypical. Other 90's rock bands, like Fall Out Boy, NOFX, and Everclear also have written pop songs about amphetamine use. I think this trend is interesting and potentially revealing.
ReplyDeleteAs is common knowledge, record executives are in the business for the money. Therefore I think this trend in pop songs in that time period can be explained by a contract between the record companies, which these bands were signed to, and drug cartels that were selling amphetamines in the US. The record companies made their bands write catchy pop songs about amphetamines so that their listeners would do and buy more amphetamines from the pushers who were in business with the them. Like with the musicians' record sales, I'm sure the record companies got a significant cut of the profits from the drug sales.
this is about addiction? i never knew this song was speaking about crystal meth. the upbeat jingle tempo makes it seem as though that they can be addicted to a drug and nothing be wrong with it.
ReplyDeleteMany artists do use drugs to get inspirations for their songs. I don't think the lyrics doesn't make a problem since personally, I don't think many people listen to songs for their lyrics but rather the melody at first. Then, if they like it, the lyrics goes into their heads automatically but I don't think it'll influence teens to doing drugs and getting addicted to them. Some of them would but not most of them.
ReplyDeleteMost of the songs I enjoy, I enjoy for the instrumental bits rather that the lyrics. I can't say this has ever been one of my favorite songs, but there are plenty of songs about drug addiction that I do enjoy. The fact that they are about addiction has never really changed my opinion of them.
ReplyDelete