My wife and I moved to Dallas sometime in 1998. Bought a little house in midtown and got to work painting and redoing the cool bungalow style place listening to music on a boombox. The Verve album Urban Hymns had just come out and was on regular rotation during many coats of something called “contemplation” in one room and “rye” in another. Songs “Sonnet” and the ever ubiquitous “Bittersweet Symphony” were killer, but for bonafide next level status see exhibit: “The Drugs Don’t Work”. I had first heard the song in the days following the death of Lady Diana. I found out recently it was officially sent to radio September 1, 1997 one day after her death. My band The Nixons played Mississippi nights in St. Louis the night of August 31 and my soon to be wife was visiting. My sound man, Howard, came over post show to tell me the tragic news. Now the sad anthem wafted through the paint stained air with the most beautiful melancholy maybe of any song I’ve ever heard.
Maybe because it was attached to that tragic royal memory, or the hours on repeat redoing the first house I owned. I kept on coming back. Fast forward to 2010. Now in Tulsa with two small children and, somehow and luckily, the same wife. A dear friend and acclaimed photographer Kelly Kerr had just heard the news that I was relocating my family to Nashville to more seriously pursue a career in songwriting. He made me an offer to come to my studio and professionally film me singing a few songs. I knew instantly one had to be “The Drugs Don’t Work” and he suggested getting super talented local singer songwriter Ben Kilgore to sing along. We did it and I moved. Kelly got busy, I got distracted and we never actually did anything with the video.
Now here I sit in the midst of a lockdown because of a pandemic doing what we’re all doing. Sharing funny posts about being stir crazy, and trying to keep doing what we do. One thing I do is make music. So, I’ve done the obligatory sing a song and post; do a 4 screen video with my band and also dug up some old stuff. I reach out to Kelly. He emailed some pics from photo shoots he’d done. Then reminded me of the video sessions he’d done and that he “hit the mother load” …sent that 10 year old video of me and Ben singing this classic Verve song.
I watch it now and just transport. Back to Tulsa. In some ways more stressful times. In some ways simpler. Now those two small children are in college (at home) and headed to college (I hope).
I watch it now and remember. Damn, a great song is just…great. Real, raw lyrics and an indelible melody. And Ben’s harmonies help.
Listen.
Think back.
Listen.
Love each other.
Be safe.
z