East River Pipe is the name under which Fred Cornog (aka FM Cornog) records… Read Full Bio ↴East River Pipe is the name under which Fred Cornog (aka FM Cornog) records. Cornog was born in Suffolk, Virginia, and raised in Summit, New Jersey. After succumbing to alcoholism and becoming homeless, Cornog relocated to New York where he survived by busking. There he met Barbara Powers, the two falling in love, and with Powers' support, Cornog released some home-recorded cassettes under the name East River Pipe. These attracted the attention of UK-based Sarah Records who released his records from 1993 to 1996. Cornog then moved to Sarah Records co-owner Matt Haynes' new label Shinkansen Records and to Merge Records in the USA.

Discography :

- East River Park (1989)
- Point of Memory (1990)
- I Used to Be Kid Colgate (1991)
- Shining Hours in a Can (1994)
- Poor Fricky (1995)
- Mel (1996)
- The Gasoline Age (1999)
- Garbageheads on Endless Stun (2003)
- What Are You On? (2006)
- We Live In Rented Rooms (2011)

What Are You On?
East River Pipe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Prozac or alcohol?
This is my lucky day
Caffeine or Percocet?
This is my lucky day

Better living through
Chemistry she said
What are you on?

Paxil, Zoloft, Xanax
Up ahead
What are you on?

Cash machines and
Suitcase dreams all say
What are you on?

Data glowing
Ghetto blowing but, hey
What are you on?

What are you on?

What are you on?
What are you on?

Overall Meaning

The song "What Are You On?" by East River Pipe presents a commentary on the use of drugs, prescription medication, and technology in modern society. The song starts off by questioning whether the listener is currently under the influence of Prozac, alcohol, caffeine, or Percocet. The chorus then asks what prescription medication the listener might be taking, such as Paxil, Zoloft, or Xanax, and what technologies they may be using, exemplified by cash machines and data glowing.

The song seems to be criticizing the reliance on these substances and technology to enhance one's mood or experiences. The line "better living through chemistry she said" suggests that the singer is hearing this phrase from someone else, indicating that society views drug and medication use as a normal and expected behavior. The song title, "What Are You On?" poses the question with a sense of skepticism and concern. The song seems to comment on the increasingly fast-paced and high-pressure world in which we live, where people are constantly searching for ways to cope and enhance their experiences, whether it is through medication, drugs or technology.

Line by Line Meaning

Prozac or alcohol?
What substance are you using to alter your state of mind?

This is my lucky day
I am feeling a positive change in my mood or outlook on life.

Caffeine or Percocet?
Are you using a stimulant or a painkiller to change your state of mind?

Better living through Chemistry she said
Someone else has suggested that using drugs or other chemical substances is a way to improve one's life.

What are you on?
What substance are you currently using?

Paxil, Zoloft, Xanax
Examples of prescription drugs that can affect one's mood and mental state.

Up ahead
There are more drugs or potential drug use in the future.

Cash machines and Suitcase dreams all say
Money and material possessions, as well as aspirations for success or escape, may be contributing to drug use.

Data glowing Ghetto blowing but, hey
Modern technology and societal issues may also be contributing to drug use.

What are you on?
Repeated question asking the listener to reveal their current drug use.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frederick M Cornog

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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