Songs about relationships with addicts
October 15, 2022 7:50 AM Subscribe
Any genre welcome. Thoughtful lyrics appreciated. I'm looking for songs about people in any kind of relationship with a loved one who is experiencing addiction. I already have A Minor Incident and Bad, but what else should I add to this playlist?
Definitely not looking for songs with the point of view of "you're worthless because you're an addict."
Thanks.
Drunken Angel by Lucinda Williams.
posted by splitpeasoup at 8:08 AM on October 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by splitpeasoup at 8:08 AM on October 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
Neil Young-The Needle and the Damage Done
posted by ActionPopulated at 8:25 AM on October 15, 2022 [10 favorites]
posted by ActionPopulated at 8:25 AM on October 15, 2022 [10 favorites]
Maria's Last Words (recording quality is really bad, sorry)
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:54 AM on October 15, 2022
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:54 AM on October 15, 2022
The Mother Who Bore You in Pain by Ron Hynes (note: basically a rhyming version of his mother's words begging him to go to rehab and talking sbout hiw addiction stole her son).
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:07 AM on October 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:07 AM on October 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
“Kiss the Bottle” by Jawbreaker or the more melodious Sparta. Although it’s about a relationship between addicts.
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:09 AM on October 15, 2022
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:09 AM on October 15, 2022
"Sam Stone" by John Prine
posted by Rash at 10:05 AM on October 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Rash at 10:05 AM on October 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
Turn Around by the Postal Service
"Don't say you're done, cause you're brave, and you're loved, and this town, this sea, it won't drag you underneath"
posted by bleep at 10:27 AM on October 15, 2022
"Don't say you're done, cause you're brave, and you're loved, and this town, this sea, it won't drag you underneath"
posted by bleep at 10:27 AM on October 15, 2022
There are a lot of Mountain Goats songs on this theme. I'll suggest "Your Belgian Things" as one of the most obvious examples.
"What Became of the Likely Lads" by The Libertines covers the friendship angle well.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 10:29 AM on October 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
"What Became of the Likely Lads" by The Libertines covers the friendship angle well.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 10:29 AM on October 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Two Little Girls by Ani di Franco, music and lyrics
posted by Jesse the K at 10:46 AM on October 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Jesse the K at 10:46 AM on October 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Rock Bottom Riser, by Smog/Bill Callahan
Take This Bottle, by Faith No More/Mike Patton
posted by desert exile at 10:48 AM on October 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Take This Bottle, by Faith No More/Mike Patton
posted by desert exile at 10:48 AM on October 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
So Much Wine by the Handsome Family
posted by crocomancer at 11:06 AM on October 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by crocomancer at 11:06 AM on October 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
“Happiest Girl” by Depeche Mode
“Mississippi” by Cactus Blossoms (from the addict’s perspective)
posted by infinitewindow at 11:27 AM on October 15, 2022
“Mississippi” by Cactus Blossoms (from the addict’s perspective)
posted by infinitewindow at 11:27 AM on October 15, 2022
Aimee Mann wrote a country-rock concept album based on a relationship with an addict, where the perspective switches around for each song. Titles most relevant to the question:
Going Through the Motions
That's How I Knew This Story Would Break My Heart
I Can't Help You Anymore
posted by rollick at 11:58 AM on October 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
Going Through the Motions
That's How I Knew This Story Would Break My Heart
I Can't Help You Anymore
posted by rollick at 11:58 AM on October 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
Came here to say The Forgotten Arm by Aimee Mann, but rollick beat me to it. I'd disagree with the characterization of "country-rock" though - contemporary pop/alternative pop would be the genre I'd put it in. Really the entire album fits the bill.
Maggie by Colin Hay is about losing a childhood crush/love that became an addict.
Many of the songs on Dirt by Alice in Chains are first-hand about addiction. "Down in a Hole" is about someone struggling with addiction talking to their loved one and doubting they can be "saved."
posted by jzb at 1:30 PM on October 15, 2022
Maggie by Colin Hay is about losing a childhood crush/love that became an addict.
Many of the songs on Dirt by Alice in Chains are first-hand about addiction. "Down in a Hole" is about someone struggling with addiction talking to their loved one and doubting they can be "saved."
posted by jzb at 1:30 PM on October 15, 2022
Twilight by Elliott Smith. And likely dozens of other songs.
posted by Woodroar at 4:02 PM on October 15, 2022
posted by Woodroar at 4:02 PM on October 15, 2022
While the original sourcing is vague, Quasi's Poisoned Well is thought to be a comment on the aforementioned Elliott Smith's relationship with addiction and other people.
You only hurt the ones you love, that may be true, but better said, you only hurt the one who loves you.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 4:38 PM on October 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
You only hurt the ones you love, that may be true, but better said, you only hurt the one who loves you.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 4:38 PM on October 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
Richard Thompson's Beeswing. I learned this one off Donal Hinely, who's been extremely gracious to me over the years, for no reason I can discern.
posted by sourcequench at 5:08 PM on October 15, 2022
posted by sourcequench at 5:08 PM on October 15, 2022
The title track from Blue by Joni Mitchell
Drive by the Cars
Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty
I’d Do It All Again by Corinne Bailey Rae
Neon by John Mayer
posted by armeowda at 5:41 PM on October 15, 2022
Drive by the Cars
Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty
I’d Do It All Again by Corinne Bailey Rae
Neon by John Mayer
posted by armeowda at 5:41 PM on October 15, 2022
The album that "Belgian Things" is from, We Shall All Be Healed, is primarily about the time in the lead singer's life when most of his friends were drug addicts, so you may be interested in it in its entirety.
There's also "Song for Dennis Brown" ("It took all the coke in town/to bring down Dennis Brown/on the day my lung collapses/we'll see just how much it takes").
posted by praemunire at 8:06 PM on October 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
There's also "Song for Dennis Brown" ("It took all the coke in town/to bring down Dennis Brown/on the day my lung collapses/we'll see just how much it takes").
posted by praemunire at 8:06 PM on October 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Oh, and "Waiting for the Man," originally by the Velvet Underground, covered memorably by Bowie.
posted by praemunire at 8:07 PM on October 15, 2022
posted by praemunire at 8:07 PM on October 15, 2022
Blue - Joni Mitchell
posted by an opinicus at 1:05 AM on October 16, 2022
posted by an opinicus at 1:05 AM on October 16, 2022
Steve Earle - Goodbye
(Emmylou Harris does a great version, too)
posted by Bron at 9:30 AM on October 16, 2022
(Emmylou Harris does a great version, too)
posted by Bron at 9:30 AM on October 16, 2022
Lua, by Bright Eyes
My Drug Buddy, by Lemonheads
posted by baseballpajamas at 12:33 PM on October 16, 2022
My Drug Buddy, by Lemonheads
posted by baseballpajamas at 12:33 PM on October 16, 2022
Stoneface by Veruca Salt.
Didn't notice I was gone
Cause you were tying up your arm…
[…]
And when it comes right down to it
I'm gonna run right back to him
I want a peace mapped out with him
Cuz I really love his stoneface oh
posted by ejs at 9:05 PM on October 16, 2022
Didn't notice I was gone
Cause you were tying up your arm…
[…]
And when it comes right down to it
I'm gonna run right back to him
I want a peace mapped out with him
Cuz I really love his stoneface oh
posted by ejs at 9:05 PM on October 16, 2022
"Served Faithfully" from Ani Difranco, maybe.
and maybe "Mad Mission" from Patty Griffin? Less on-the-nose than some of these other excellent suggestions.
Maybe these are more about troubled relationships with troubled people, and there happens to be booze involved.
posted by adekllny at 5:20 AM on October 17, 2022
and maybe "Mad Mission" from Patty Griffin? Less on-the-nose than some of these other excellent suggestions.
Maybe these are more about troubled relationships with troubled people, and there happens to be booze involved.
posted by adekllny at 5:20 AM on October 17, 2022
I lost my sister to her alcohol addiction, and the song that always comes and gets me is Fire Away by Dawes. Here's the album track, and a live version.
posted by AgentRocket at 7:19 AM on October 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by AgentRocket at 7:19 AM on October 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
"Essence" - Lucinda Williams
"She Talks to Angels" - The Black Crowes
"Red River" - Rocky Votolato
posted by easy, lucky, free at 3:56 PM on October 20, 2022
"She Talks to Angels" - The Black Crowes
"Red River" - Rocky Votolato
posted by easy, lucky, free at 3:56 PM on October 20, 2022
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