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“The Drugs Don’t Work” is a song by the British band, The Verve and is featured on their third album, Urban Hymns. It was released on 1 September 1997 as the second single from the album, charting at number 1 in the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band’s most successful single in the UK.
Ashcroft wrote the song in early 1995. He briefly mentioned it in an interview at the time, relating it to his drug usage: “There’s a new track I’ve just written, It goes ‘the drugs don’t work, they just make me worse, and I know I’ll see your face again’. That’s how I’m feeling at the moment. They make me worse, man. But I still take ‘em. Out of boredom and frustration you turn to something else to escape.” Ashcroft also performed the song when the band were touring in support of A Northern Soul. The song was eventually recorded for Urban Hymns. The album’s producer, Chris Potter later referred to it as both the best song and best vocal he had ever recorded.
According to Songfacts.com, the drugs in the song were ones given to Richard Ashcroft’s father:
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3344
Whilst the exact meaning of the song is unclear, it is generally believed that composer Richard Ashcroft wrote the song in response to the death of his father , and is also thought to be influenced by his relationship with his wife, Ashcroft saying in an interview “to me, it’s a lovesong”.
The lyrics of the original demo varied from the eventual album track
Ashcroft wrote the song in early 1995. He briefly mentioned it in an interview at the time, relating it to his drug usage: “There’s a new track I’ve just written, It goes ‘the drugs don’t work, they just make me worse, and I know I’ll see your face again’. That’s how I’m feeling at the moment. They make me worse, man. But I still take ‘em. Out of boredom and frustration you turn to something else to escape.” Ashcroft also performed the song when the band were touring in support of A Northern Soul. The song was eventually recorded for Urban Hymns. The album’s producer, Chris Potter later referred to it as both the best song and best vocal he had ever recorded.
According to Songfacts.com, the drugs in the song were ones given to Richard Ashcroft’s father:
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3344
Whilst the exact meaning of the song is unclear, it is generally believed that composer Richard Ashcroft wrote the song in response to the death of his father , and is also thought to be influenced by his relationship with his wife, Ashcroft saying in an interview “to me, it’s a lovesong”.
The lyrics of the original demo varied from the eventual album track
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Beautiful live version from Later show Nov'97
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Albums featuring this track
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The Greatest No. 1 Singles (disc 2)
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The Best Anthems ... Ever! (disc 2)
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Shouts
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westfield72 wrote:
I think what makes this song utterly brilliant, is the strings behind the acoustic guitar in the intro. I think that is killer..
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makeup-yourmind wrote:
<3 it
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Zealant wrote:
The durgs r workin pretty gud 4 me lolol
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capunezi wrote:
But I know I'll see your face again ♫
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destruktywna wrote:
just...amazing.
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depeche666 wrote:
Love this. Beautiful. Gives me goosebumps every time.
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novacaine05 wrote:
! :*
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AudioBrick wrote:
wonderwall и иже с ним идут лесом
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Ljesnjak wrote:
Agreeing with the agreement, how something can be so perfect and beautiful is beyond me.
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julesbanks wrote:
One of the best songs ever
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Ihatemusic wrote:
One of the few bad Verve songs.
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boy_in_the_well wrote:
so sad...
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the_killers_ wrote:
I love this song!
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Milory wrote:
Great song!
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julesbanks wrote:
Classic x3
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agentzigzag wrote:
classic
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callofgun wrote:
боже мой....какой талант...
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linkinsy wrote:
oh my....
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candlesdie wrote:
Really fantastic song. Love it.
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oOMyxomatosisOo wrote:
unbelievable piece of art <3
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Recent Activity
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Mohamadreza-T, MeY__, DeadlyRob369 and 7 other people loved The Verve – The Drugs Don't Work. yesterday evening
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paulxne added The Drugs Don't Work to the playlist Songs that remind me of you.. Friday afternoon
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paulxne and Melancoly loved The Verve – The Drugs Don't Work. Friday morning
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leapsandbounds added The Drugs Don't Work to the playlist Reneka 2009. Friday morning
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leapsandbounds added The Drugs Don't Work to the playlist zadidiaz 2009. Friday morning
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am0104, horsmeister and The_A_Side loved The Verve – The Drugs Don't Work. Friday morning
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The_A_Side added The Drugs Don't Work to the playlist A Side. Thursday morning
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