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“10 Songs Fueled by Xanax” features music courtesy of Badflower, Billie Eilish. Future, Michael Seyer, and Tiny Meat Gang among others.  

According to Blackbear, specifically his hit single “do re mi” (Digital Druglord), “Designer shoes and Xanax tabs / Compliments your make-up bag.”  From Lil Uzi Vert’s perspective on “XO Tour Llif3,” “Xanny, help the pain, yeah / Please, Xanny, make it go away / … All the pain, now I can’t feel it / I swear that it’s slowin’ me, yeah.” How about one more? On “No More Parties in LA,” Kanye West proclaims, “If I knew y’all made plans I wouldn’t have popped the Xans…” All of these lyrics hail from 25 Rap Songs That Reference Xanax, one of the all-time, most successful playlists on The Musical Hype.

25 Rap Songs That Reference Xanax is one of the simplest lists published on the site, but face it, people are interesting in how drugs play a role in (1) hip-hop culture and (2) society.  You vcan consider 10 Songs Fueled by Xanax a follow-up or at least a ‘supplement’ with a bit more analysis compared to the aforementioned list. Contributing to this druggy affair are songs courtesy of Badflower (“X ANA x”), Billie Eilish (“Xanny”), Future (“XanaX Damage” and “Xanny Family”), Michael Seyer (“Xanax Blue”), and Tiny Meat Gang (“Super Xan”) among others.

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1. Badflower, “x ANA x”

OK, I’M SICK • Big Machine • 2019 

“I can’t feel my toes or my fingertips / My chest if pounding so fast I can’t keep up with it / I’m losing it – fuck! I just want to quit it.” Frontman Josh Katz and Badflower are in a bad spot to say the least, thanks to “X ANA x” (a stylization of ‘Xanax,’ the sedative), the second single from the band’s full-length, debut album, OK, I’M SICK (2019). Clearly, the effects of anxiety (and the Xanax as well), have Katz down.  He’s profane, dropping multiple f-bombs, as he suffers. Notably, Katz emphasizes the ‘ANA’ portion of the word, Almost approaching Xanax like it’s a relationship.  On the first verse, he memorably states, “Judging my fucking sex ANA x ANA x / And I’m faking just to stay in my body / I’m nervous, I can’t fucking stand it.”

The lyrics, throughout the course of the song, reflect Katz’s anxiety, while the high-energy, instrumental backdrop also matches the anxiousness.  As the song continues, the listener is invited more and more into the suspect mindset of the protagonist, particularly at the end of the second verse.

“The kind of sick that makes an atheist pray for Jesus

The kind of sickness that turns your power into weakness

I’m sick of being sick for this whole fucking place to witness

And I’m living a sick life that most people call privilege

And they’re kinda right

But I’m still sicker than I can cope with.”

“x ANA x” is an energetic, honest, and well-rounded single that goes beyond the traditional script.  Josh Katz definitely has the personality to sell this anxiety-driven single superbly. “x ANA x” previously appeared on the playlist Fill Your Prescription with These 11 Medicine Songs.

2. Billie Eilish, “Xanny”

When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? • Interscope • 2019

“What is it about them? / I must be missing something / They just keep doing nothing / Too intoxicated to be scared.” The ‘druggy’ Billie Eilish gem “Xanny” just missed the top-20 of the 50 Best Songs of 2019 (So Far), but has a strong case for inclusion in the top-20. “Xanny” keeps When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? going strong, with Eilish asserting, “I don’t need a Xanny to feel better.”  Why? Well, the effects of recreational drugs, including drink and various smokes, particularly at a party, just isn’t cool from Eilish’s perspective.  She describes the effect of the excesses brilliantly on the third track from the LP.

The centerpiece of this delightful, minimalist production (FINNEAS at it again) is the chorus.  Eilish continues to sing coolly, embracing a most glorious undertone.

“I’m in their second hand smoke

Still just drinking canned Coke

I don’t need a Xanny to feel better

On designated drives home

Only one who’s not stoned

Don’t give me a Xanny, now or ever.”

3. Future, “XanaX Damage”

Save Me (EP) • Epic • 2019

“Baby, when the sun is out, it’s like I’m not myself / Xanax doin’ damage, make it night so I can handle you,” Future sings on the chorus of “Xanax Damage,” the brief opener from his 2019 EP, Save Me.  Honestly, “XanaX Damage” is quite a unique way to commence a very, um, unique project to say the least. The idiosyncratic rapper continues the chorus, singing, “Baby, when the moon is out, I final know myself / Xanny pills, then I feel my body startin’ to give up, yeah.”

So, what’s the premise of “XanaX Damage.” Well, pills are involved – not surprising when it comes to Future – but a dysfunctional relationship seems to be the centerpiece.  Future is to blame, and he takes accountability throughout ample autotune and quirky vocals. On the refrain, post-chorus, he asserts, “I only call you when I’m faded,” later amplifying the sentiment on the verse by saying, “But I’m not my best with you, I’m so depressed with you / But it’s so hard, I don’t think I can exist without you.” As the title suggests, the Xanax is doing damage.  By the way, it’s not the only time Future appears on this list.

4. Sik-K, “Xanax”

ADDICT [Single] • H1GHR MUSIC • 2019

“I don’t want no Xanax / I don’t wanna pop it…” So, who is Sik-K? He’s a rapper from South Korea. On this playlist-fitting record “Xanax,” Sik-K performs over an epic, smooth, lush, and sleek hip-hop/urban contemporary backdrop courtesy of Bronze. Both verses of “Xanax” are in Korean, save for a couple of lines that are exclusively in English.  At the end of the first verse, Sik-K asserts, “Girl, I gotta pop this Xanny / Don’t let me, don’t let me.”  What’s the context? Prior to the English line, the gist of the Korean lyrics are that the rapper is depressed because his girlfriend is leaving him, hence, he needs to take Xanax to cope.  On the second verse, his depression continues, he hates everything because he simply can’t get over her.  Matters of the heart will do that to you.

Sik-K continues a melodic approach on the pre-hook, hook (excerpted at the top of the blurb), and bridge sections, which are exclusively in English.  On the pre-hook, he asks, “Can you come back to me?” Obviously, on the chorus, the Xanax is a coping mechanism – atonement for the loss of her.  If any further clarification was needed, on the bridge he asserts, “Baby, you are my Xanax / Baby, let me pop it…” – some innuendo thrown in there as well it seems.

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5/6. Lil Xan, “Who I Am” / “Betrayed (Remix)”

TOTAL XANARCHY • Columbia • 2018

“Who I Am” serves as the opening song for TOTAL XANARCHY, the major-label debut album by Latino rapper Lil Xan. Honestly, it just wouldn’t be fitting if we didn’t reference a rapper whose name is derived directly from Xanax, right? Right.  Lil Xan has a number of songs that reference Xanax, so, we dedicate the number-five-spot on this playlist to Diego Leanos. Interestingly, none of the songs selected feature the word ‘Xanax’ in their respective title.

Lil Xan informs us on “Who I Am” that “Xans don’t make me who I am.”  Hmm, certainly great to know, even if the song’s hook sounds more like a contemporary nursery rhyme than a truly important statement. Following the simple hook, he mumbles through some of the laziest, druggy-sounding rhymes ever. He definitely sounds high to say the least. Moving down the track list, highlight “Betrayed” features mellow, easy-going production – ah, another perfect fit for this playlist! Notably, the catch-line returns from “Who I Am” on the faded, but catchy hook.

“Xans don’t make you (you)
Xans gon’ take you
Xans gon’ fake you (yeah)
And Xans gon’ betray you (what? Yeah).”

 Rich the Kid and Yo Gotti join Lil Xan on “Betrayed (Remix)” which concludes Total Xanarchy. On the remix, Rich the Kid is shallow when he spits, “Ooh, I pop a Perc’ when I’m upset / She sucked my dick right on Sunset,” but does gain some redemption for another line, “I told them Xans that, ‘I hate you.’”  On the second verse, Lil Xan continues to speak against Xans, but lines like “I wish that bitch just kiss me” keeps it from being, um, ‘wholesome.’ So does Yo Gotti’s “gang shit” on the third verse.

7. Tiny Meat Gang, “Super Xan”

Bangers & Ass • Tiny Meat Gang • 2017

“Before I Goku / Fuck this white pill and go super Xan…” Oh geez. First things first. You should never take anybody whose name is Tiny Meat Gang seriously.  If you’ve kept up with comedians (and members of the duo) Cody Ko and Noel Miller, you already understand this. If not, watch the YouTube videos where they absolutely destroy folks with their reactions.  Anyways, if you come into “Super Xan” looking for any semblance of seriousness, well you’re totally ‘barking up the wrong tree.’

“Ay, I put my Xan in my other Xan / Then put that Xan in another Xan / And then just keep going / Until I get a big-ass Xan…” That’s the shit that Noel Miller serves up, and that’s only the intro of this two-and-a-half-minute ludicrous AF song.  Miller continues to spit absolute ridiculousness on the first verse, which closes out with “Four Gucci belts on my waist / Can’t even hold up my pants / I’m ‘boutta fuck all these Xans / I’m ‘boutta fuck all these Xans.”  We haven’t even mentioned his partner in crime, Cody Ko, who goes H.A.M. on the second verse – contextually:

“Speaking of Xans, I got hella Xans

Xans in my cargo shorts, Xans in my minivan

High five your bitch with both hands and take a handful of Xans

Bitch, I pop bands, I take a hundred Xans and I’m a Harry Stan.”

Oh brother! His best line may come on the outro: “I don’t even know what Xanax is / Ahahahaha!”

8. Elohim, “Xanax”

Elohim (2016) • Elohim Music / BMG Rights Management • 2016

“I woke up to a heart attack / No, I’m just being dramatic / It’s this massive panic / That’s fueling my heart rate / It’s racing and I’m manic.”  Elohim perfectly captures a panic attack on the opening verse of “Xanax,” the fifth track from her 2016 self-titled effort.  First and foremost, who is Elohim? Well, since you asked, she’s an electronic artist based in Los Angeles, California. Getting back to the song which is perfectly suited for this list, safe to say, the anxiety continues on the second verse which segues from the first, giving listeners authentic, relatable subject matter.

Following the first iteration of the chorus, the third verse has some similarities to the first two, but there is a key contrast. Elohim expresses her dislike for Xanax:

“I don’t wanna be dependent

On synthetic medicine

That keeps me calm enough to sleep

But kills me softly when I’m weak.”

As for the chorus, which is quite simplistic lyrically, Elohim seems to be referencing the struggle: “Every day of my, day of my, day of my life…”

9. Michael Seyer, “Xanax Blues”

Ugly Boy • 644744 Records DK • 2016

“Yes, he’ll sleep for days / In his white pill haze” Okay… If you ever needed a musical representation of being totally ‘drugged-out,’ well, alternative musician Michael Seyer captures it perfectly on the incredibly odd, left of center “Xanax Blues.” “Xanax Blues” appears as the fourth track on Seyer’s 2016 LP, Ugly Boy.  The sound and the chill, ‘stoned-out’ vibe is what makes “Xanax Blues” distinct and perhaps that ‘total bop’ you’ve never heard until you check out this Xanax-fueled list.

To provide some context to the aforementioned lyrics that comprise the chorus, Michael Seyer tells the story of his brother, who’s addicted to Xanax.  On the first verse, Seyer notes that “Mama don’t think much about it,” while on the second verse, he adds, “Papa thinks, he’s just tired / Doesn’t know he’s been up all night / In the jon snorting white.” Seyer clarifies his point when he states, “Is there anyone out there who still isn’t clear about what doing drugs does? Ok, last time / This is your brain, this is drugs, this is your brain on drugs.” “Xanax Blues” is a treat to say the least. Those detuned guitars, and once again, the entire vibe – awesome!

10. Future, “Xanny Family”

EVOL • Epic • 2016

“Three exotic broads and I got ‘em soakin’ panties / Told ‘em they were certified, welcome to the xanny family” Yeah, only Future could come up with a song like “Xanny Family,” which encompasses an  orgy of three women who all want to have sex with him as well as pop pills (Xanax). Future goes on to rap on the EVOL standout, “Promethazine, codeine, this shit campaign for us / The sauce look so clean like some angel dust.”

There’s even more druggy action beyond the Xanax and codeine, which is found in cough syrup (more on that coming):

“You comin’ to the crib, bring a gang of ‘tuss’

I dip it in the blunt, I’m tryna smoke the mud

I loaded up my gun, I’m tryna smoke the plug.” 

The tuss references the chief ingredient in Lean/Purple Drank.  Future goes on to references marijuana (“I dip it in the blunt, I’m tryna smoke the mode”), then plans to shoot the drug dealer (“I load up my gun, I’m tryna smoke the plug”).  Hmm, the “Xanny Family” is sounding sketch AF.  “Xanny Family” previously appeared on the playlist Fill Your Prescription with These 11 Medicine Songs.

[Photo Credits: 644744 Records DK, Big Machine, BMG Rights Management, Columbia, Elohim Music, Epic, H1GHR MUSIC, Interscope, Pixabay, Pexels, Tiny Meat Gang]

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