The Reefer Man
Drug lyrics in our songs; no wonder kids grow up the way they do. Just check out the stuff in this song from the late 1920’s. (Did he say the 1920’s? Yeah; lots of drug songs back then, including “Chant of the Weed.) “Reefer Man” is a pretty blatant, drug song. How much more obvious can you get with lyrics like:
“If he trades you dimes for nickels
and calls watermelons pickles,
then you know you’re talkin’ to that reefer man.”
“If he said he swam to china,
and he sell you South Carolina,
then you know your talkin’ to that reefer man.”
How did we ever grow up to be respectable citizens with music like that all around us?
Libby Holman (get the vapors ready for Auntie) sang, “Fill my heart with flaming desire.” Clunk. Auntie just hit the floor in a dead faint. Back then you just didn’t say that, or pretended you didn’t, or you read it in one of those bodice-rippers with the pirate on the cover. Yo-ho-ho and a fair maiden.
Benny Goodman did “Popcorn Man,” but it was pulled from stores in one day when The Authorities realized the popcorn man was a slang term for a drug dealer.
“If he trades you dimes for nickels
and calls watermelons pickles,
then you know you’re talkin’ to that reefer man.”
“If he said he swam to china,
and he sell you South Carolina,
then you know your talkin’ to that reefer man.”
How did we ever grow up to be respectable citizens with music like that all around us?
Libby Holman (get the vapors ready for Auntie) sang, “Fill my heart with flaming desire.” Clunk. Auntie just hit the floor in a dead faint. Back then you just didn’t say that, or pretended you didn’t, or you read it in one of those bodice-rippers with the pirate on the cover. Yo-ho-ho and a fair maiden.
Benny Goodman did “Popcorn Man,” but it was pulled from stores in one day when The Authorities realized the popcorn man was a slang term for a drug dealer.
posted by Tom Carten at 1:53 AM
3 Comments:
You'll see it in blues too.
Exit 318
(Hey Wheels......See that ARCA race last night? Allie Owens didn't do too bad at all)
Now, some people say Bay Rum's a good tonic
My buddy says it's good for your stomach......wait, is "Bay Rum Blues" advocating getting drunk on aftershave? That shouldn't be allowed!!!
By the way...NEPA Blogger gathering at Mark's Pub in Wilkes-Barre, Saturday, May 2nd! Gathering starts four-ish, technically in preparation for the Kentucky Derby, which starts at 6:04.
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