Fill Your Prescription with These 11 Medicine Songs features music from Badflower, Bring Me the Horizon, Ice Cube, Lights, and Sofi Tukker.

“You just sit around talking nothing / You’re taking morphine.” Hmm, not one of Michael Jackson’s finer moments in regard to his own health, particularly the portion of “Morphine” where the mood changes and he sings, “Demerol / Demerol / Oh God he’s taking Demerol.”  He does deliver a bullet with the lyric, “Your dog’s a bitch baby.”  But enough about MJ, morphine, and female dogs (or perhaps another drug reference), this playlist is all about medicine! So, “Fill Your Prescription with These 11 Medicine Songs” which features music from Badflower (“x ANA x”), Bring Me the Horizon (“Medicine”), Ice Cube (“On Them Pills”) , Lights (“Morphine”), and Sofi Tukker (“Benadryl”).

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1. Bring Me the Horizon, “Medicine”

Amo • Sony • 2019

Prescription: unspecified, but a heaping dose of retribution…

“I can’t save you from yourself / When all you give a shit about is everybody else.” Hmm. English rock band Bring Me the Horizon return with an “emotional” new album, amo (January 25, 2019). The healing power of “Medicine”, the third single from the LP, is a different sort of ‘healing’ for frontman Oli Sykes – he wants her to experience “A taste of your own medicine.” Sykes isn’t happy throughout the course of the record.  On the first verse, he makes it clear, “You rained on my heart for far too long / Couldn’t see the thunder for the storm.” Does that really make sense – do you see thunder?

On the briefer second verse, familiar lines recur from the first with slight variation:

“Some people are a lot like clouds, you know
(Clouds, you know, clouds, you know)
‘Cause life’s so much bright when they go
And I spent too long in a place I don’t belong
I couldn’t see the thunder for the storm.”

Sykes remains irritable on the pre-chorus, bringing the aforementioned “A taste of your own medicine” into the memorable chorus.  The premise is that he wants her to experience the pain that she’s inflicted on him – he wants retribution.  Later, the bridge is derived from the second half of the first verse – “‘Cause I cut my teeth and bit my tongue / Till my mouth was dripping blood…” Interestingly, the beginning of each verse returns as the outro. There is more of a pop sensibility (with some electronic cues) about this record, though the chorus section goes harder than the majority. It doesn’t go nearly as hard as say “Shadow Moses” from Sempiternal, but it is what it is.

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2. Badflower, “x ANA x”

OK, I’M SICK • Big Machine • 2019

Prescription: Xanax 

“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. 

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3. St. Vincent, “Pills (Piano Version)”

MassEducation • Loma Vista • 2018

Prescription: a variety of unspecified pills… 

“Pills to wake, pills to sleep / Pills, pills, pills every day of the week / Pills to work, pills to think / Pills, pills, pills for the family.”  That’s a lot of pills! “Pills” originally appeared on MASSEDUCTION, the 2017 album by Grammy-winning alternative musician, St. Vincent (Annie Clark).  2018 saw the release of a stripped down, piano-accompanied edition of the album, MassEducation, including “Pills – piano version” as its penultimate selection.

While there’s no guest appearance by Cara Delevingne (Clark’s ex) this go-round, St. Vincent holds things down capably as ever, particular the emphasis placed on “Pills to fuck,” among the most eyebrow-raising lines from the original.

 

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4. Sofi Tukker, “Benadryl”

Treehouse • Ultra • 2018

Prescription: Benadryl

A driving groove might be the strongest, most potent ‘medicine’ on “Benadryl,” the third track from Treehouse.  Treehouse is the sophomore album by Grammy-nominated electronic/dance duo Sofi Tukker, comprised of former Brown University classmates Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern.  Compared to the energetic Portuguese record “Energia” that precedes it, Sophie Hawley-Weld employs a cooler, kinder, gentler approach vocally. The musical backdrop follows a similar plan, playing into the hands of the sleepy lyrics.

“We gotta put this to bed
(‘Cause we got some things to do) …
Ph, how you make me laugh
Benadryl in the bath…
I keep losing the socks
Taking up too many thoughts…”

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5. YUNGBLUD, “Doctor Doctor” / “Medication”

21^st Century Liability • Geffen • 2018

Prescription: unspecified medicine for mental conditions…

“Fuck / I just want to be stupid.” Okay YUNGBLUD – okay.  Honestly, there’s nothing stupid about Dominic Harrison’s music, as the entirety of his 2018 album 21^st Century Liability is quite intriguing. Standouts “Doctor Doctor” and “Medication” address the medical aspects of the young man’s perceived craziness, which seems more youthful than legitimately mentally ill. “Doctor, doctor, give me a lobotomy,” he sings on “Doctor Doctor,” adding, “So I don’t see / What is in front of me.”

He goes on to endearing sing about shots and blood clots, ultimately stating that he’ll continue to be stupid.  Clearly on “Medication” he’s totally ‘out of his mind’ – “But my head is stuck to the ceiling / I can’t get it off / You superglued it on / It’s like I’m a bad scene stuck in a wet dream.” That particular lyric is absolutely brilliant, because it exhibits pain and pleasure.

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6. Joji, “Pills”

In Tongues (Deluxe) • 88rising / EMPIRE • 2018

Prescription: Zoloft, Xanax

“So I’ll fly away / Zoloft, Xanax / Zoloft, Xanax…” Clearly, Joji attempts to escape his anxious, depressed state via consuming pills.  Hence, “Pills” is the perfect title of the second song from the deluxe version of his 2017 EP, In Tongues.  What is depressing the urban contemporary musician? His ex-girlfriend has him down.  Early on, he repeatedly sings, “Please don’t run away” on this oddly structured number, later repeatedly urging her to come back (“I need you back”).

Joji manages to integrate a verse, though like the other sections of the song, it’s simplistic and repetitive (“I don’t know why / I don’t know why I feel this way…”).  “Pills” is moody, mysterious, introspective, and experimental. One thing is for sure – Joji is in a #mood.

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7. Ice Cube, “On Them Pills”

Everythangs Corrupt • Interscope • 2018

Prescription: A variety of pills…

“Them niggas on them pills / Them bitches on them pills / Poppin’ shit is why they can’t pay they bills / They be sweatin’ (sweatin’), they need gills / Fuck that chronic smoke, they want them chemicals.” Ice Cube drops a hard-nosed, minor-key banger on his relatively quietly released 2018 album, Everythangs Corrupt.  As always, Cube keeps it real as he colorful references the pills affecting the population addicted to pills.  On the first verse, he asserts, “Everything you put in your mouth look like a Altoid / Crazy-ass niggas love a bitch named Molly.” On the second verse, sex comes into play, as he spits, “Baby, if you feelin’ horny, take two of these and wake up in the mornin’.” On the third and final verse, he goes to town referencing Oxycontin, “Viagra mixed with ecstasy,” and of course, Xanax.

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8. Kelly Clarkson, “Medicine”

Meaning of Life • Atlantic • 2017

Prescription: unspecified medicine

“Medicine” arrives as the seventh track on Meaning of Life, the sixth studio album by Grammy-winning pop sensation, Kelly Clarkson. Despite following the brilliant crowning achievement, “Whole Lotta Woman,” “Medicine” is ‘just what the doctor ordered.’ Both attitude and tempo keep on rolling without a hitch, aiding “Medicine” in maintaining consistency within the context of Meaning of Life.

The vocals and production allure, while the chorus is utterly infectious.

“Ya can’t get me high
Never got me lit
Never bring me up
Always drag me down
I’m through with it
You ain’t my medicine.”

Plenty of old-school cues, the production also incorporates modern cues as well, notably pitch-shifted vocals. The cure to all ails? Perhaps!

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9. Declan McKenna, “Paracetamol”

What Do You Think About the Car? • Columbia • 2017

Prescription: Paracetamol (pain reliever)

“Paracetamol” is arguably most moving song from What Do You Think About the Car? the debut album by British singer/songwriter Declan McKenna.  Situational, numerous relevant topics are covered throughout the song, including suicide.

“…A boy, fifteen with a gun in his hand
And the people with no audience say should be hanged
…A girl, fifteen, with her head in a noose
Because she’s damned to live, well she’s damned to choose.”

The significance of the girl leads to the subject of love, which takes on a number of meanings contextually, including acceptance, embracement, and various relationships.  “Paracetamol” was influenced by the death of Leelah Alcorn, an Ohio transgender teen whose story affected the world.  This record is aimed at building respect and acceptance of the LGBT community. Paracetamol itself is a pain reliever, and its role on the record can be interpreted multiple ways. What is crystal clear is that McKenna seeks to ease the pain of an unfairly marginalized, troubled community.

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10. Lights, “Morphine”

Skin&Earth • Warner Bros. • 2017

Prescription: Morphine

“We end up on the floor / You set my head free / I want you more and more / Don’t wanna get clean / You’re like morphine.” Yeah, Lights, “Morphine” seems pretty self-explanatory.  Essentially, her medicine – or the addiction she likens to morphine – is her lover.

Exhibit A: an excerpt from verse one.

“I had my first good dream
Now that you’re haunting me
Here in between the sheets
Right where our two worlds meet.”

Exhibit B: an excerpt from verse two.

“Never saw it coming
I was tangled up in your limbs
We never leave the room
No what I’m here with you.”

There’s also the pre-chorus, where Lights “don’t feel the burn / Standing in the flame.” Can you blame her though? Love and sex can be quite therapeutic – natural medicine, ha-ha.  This is one sexy standout from her under-appreciated 2017 LP, Skin&Earth.

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11. Future, “Xanny Family”

EVOL • Epic • 2016

Prescription: Xanax, Cough Syrup, Lean…

“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.

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Photo Credit: 88rising, Atlantic, Big Machine, Columbia, Geffen, EMPIRE, Epic, Interscope, Loma Vista, Sony, Ultra, Warner Bros.

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