"My initial meeting with Rocco - It was pure and centered and seemed to have a sense of purpose, and I felt that there was something burning in his heart that I could be helpful to. It had that kind of truth in it that I decided to run with. I like the street corner aspect of working with Rocco, it woke up a certain part of my renegade ways I’m trying to keep alive these days. I fully believe in DeLuca. I think that he’s got the power to be a contemporary troubadour, as I see it, and I hope I can be his friend for a long time, whether I am operating in the same limelight, ahead of him, behind him, in his shadow, whatever it takes, I’ll be there. The one thing that I love about Rocco DeLuca is he is driven by his own heart." - Daniel Lanois
Rocco Deluca was born in the winter in Southern California. Like other Angelenos he was surrounded by local literature, latino art, motorcycles, film and music. His early years were spent studying the likes of Billy Holiday and Nina Simone as well as the darker and raw Delta Blues heroes of the 1920's. At the age of seven, he taught himself to play listening to these records. By the time he was a teenager, Rocco had developed the skills and the confidence to start performing for others. For the first few years, he played only specific instruments. It wasn't until later he discovered he had a voice. Street busking, clubs, theatres and and festivals, Rocco has performed around the world many times over with his 1931 National by his side.
His authentic and unusual lyric and voice has since garnered him international attention and acclaim.
Rocco has had the good fortune to cross paths with and gain inspiration from various legends. John Lee Hooker gave DeLuca the opportunity to support his live shows. And later, Johnny Cash and June Carter were kind enough to invite him into their Hendersonville home, where values and excellence were displayed. Most recently, Deluca was recorded by and toured with Daniel Lanois, where he learned great lessons in work and experimentation.
After extensive travel from Kingston to London to the deserts of Texas and California, Rocco has placed his recent stories into a collection called Drugs 'n Hymns. Sifting through failures, cities, friendships, and geographic shapes, Rocco conjured images that were documented live in a room no bigger than a closet, with some help from the Echo Park Jubilee Tambo Flower Unsung Heroes Choir.
Drugs 'n Hymns is the culmination of detailed moments inspired by both the illuminated and the disturbed, unfolding into a drug deal that takes place during the Sacred Service- Always in conflict with salvation and sin, the cerebral and the bestial, light and shade. Rocco's love of contradiction is ever present.
Inspired by 'religion', literature and experience, DeLuca takes the listener on a pilgrimage, a forever evolving search for salvation.
Dope
Rocco DeLuca Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it gonna burn my brain
Show it to me just the same
Read me your favorite sentence
Is it gonna make me rush
Every line means so much
Give my dope to me
I think I'm gonna lie down
When is this going to come on
Should I just relax
Or find a seat
Give my dope to me
Twilight over me
Give my dope to me
Twilight over me
Give my dope to me
The lyrics to Rocco DeLuca's song "Dope" seem to be describing a desire for an escape. The singer is asking someone to show them something that will burn their brain and make them rush, which could be interpreted as a drug or some other kind of intense sensation. He then asks for his "dope," implying that whatever he's seeking is addictive and necessary for him to feel okay.
The chorus provides a little more context - the lyric "twilight over me" likely refers to a state of mind that's somewhere between wakefulness and sleep, when reality is hazy and thoughts are unfocused. The singer wants to be in this state, both physically and mentally (hence the repetition of "give my dope to me"). He wonders whether he should "just relax or find a seat," which could mean that he's trying to decide whether to actively seek out this state or just let it happen naturally.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dope" seem to be about the search for something that will provide relief from the stresses of reality. The singer wants to escape into a twilight state where he can't think too much or feel too much - but it's unclear whether this is a sustainable way of coping with whatever's bothering him.
Line by Line Meaning
Show me your favorite image
Can you please reveal your most cherished picture to me?
Is it gonna burn my brain
Will it have a profound effect on my mind and psyche?
Show it to me just the same
I still want to see it, regardless of its potential impact on me.
Read me your favorite sentence
Please share with me the phrase that holds the most significance to you.
Is it gonna make me rush
Will it evoke a strong emotional response or adrenaline rush in me?
Every line means so much
Each word has a great deal of importance and meaning behind it.
Give my dope to me
Give me the thing that provides me with an escape or high.
I think I'm gonna lie down
I am feeling overwhelmed and may need to rest or take a break.
When is this going to come on
I am eagerly anticipating something and wondering when it will happen.
Should I just relax
Perhaps I should try to remain calm and composed in this situation.
Or find a seat
Maybe it would be best to physically settle down and take a seat.
Twilight over me
A sense of darkness or melancholy is enveloping me.
Give my dope to me
I am seeking a means of escaping or numbing my current state of mind.
Twilight over me
A feeling of sadness or despair is consuming me.
Give my dope to me
I am in need of some sort of substance or activity to provide me with a temporary sense of relief or euphoria.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Rocco Deluca
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind