From his early days with the Small Faces, through his greatest Humble Pie years, and into his final phase as the focus of a bewildering array of short lived lineups, Marriott may have lacked focus and fixed direction, perhaps due to a need to reinvent himself from time to time, but he never failed to impress and please with his energy, ability and pure sense of fun. The measure of the man must be in the artists whom he brought together around him over the years.
While high energy rock was the mainstay of his live work, his repertoire also showed him to be at home singing soul standards, ballads and even occasional country numbers. He remained true to the rock ethos however, preferring not to go down the establishment path in his later years as others had successfully done before him. Anyone with an interest in high energy good time rock performed by a highly skilled and talented performer should take a look into the Marriott bag and let their ears glow. He is still sorely missed by the music scene and will never be replaced.
Cocaine
Steve Marriott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dressed in blue
Hey my lady
What you going through
Cocaine
All around my brain
Now listen to me
I see a woman over there
Just the prettiest women that I have ever seen
Cocaine
All around my brain
But the real thing
Mama-ma-ma
Come here quicker
This cocaine is making me sing
Cocaine
In my brain
Its the real thing
Got up this morning
Dressed in white
I walked out my front door
I had a bad fight with cocaine
All around my brain
Oh baby help me come here quick
You know this cocaine is making me sick
Cocaine
Can't get it out of my brain
Its the real thing
She came along yall
Dressed in blue
She looked so good
What on Earth am I going to do now
Cocaine
All around my brain
Play it now
The lyrics of Steve Marriott's song Cocaine are a vivid description of the effects of cocaine on a person's mind and body. The opening lyrics, "Come baby, dressed in blue, hey my lady, what you going through" sets the stage for the addiction that the singer is experiencing. The repetition of "Cocaine all around my brain" throughout the song signifies the all-encompassing and destructive nature of addiction. The singer sees a woman dressed in green who is the prettiest woman he has ever seen but even her allure is overshadowed by the power of cocaine.
The chorus of the song: "But the real thing, Mama-ma-ma, come here quicker, this cocaine is making me sing, Cocaine in my brain, it's the real thing" suggests that the singer is aware of the danger that cocaine poses, but he can't resist its addictive properties. The next verse is a cry for help as the singer pleads with his lover to help him overcome the addiction that's ravaging his mind and body. Finally, the song ends with the singer, once again, being mesmerized by a woman dressed in blue, indicating that the cycle of addiction may be endless.
Overall, Steve Marriott's Cocaine is a powerful depiction of addiction and the grip it has on individuals. The lyrics delve into the psychological and physiological effects of drugs and highlight the consequences of addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Come baby
Addressing someone who is close to him
Dressed in blue
Describing the clothing of the person he is speaking to
Hey my lady
Calling for the attention of the woman he is speaking to
What you going through
Asking the woman what struggles she is facing
Cocaine
Mentioning cocaine, a drug he is struggling with
All around my brain
Expressing how much cocaine is affecting him mentally
Now listen to me
Trying to gain the attention of his listener
I see a woman over there
Spotting a woman nearby
Dressed in green
Describing the clothing of the woman he has seen
Just the prettiest women that I have ever seen
Expressing the beauty of the woman he sees
Cocaine
Repeating that he is struggling with cocaine
All around my brain
Reaffirming the mental effect cocaine has on him
But the real thing
Talking about his desire for a genuine, non-drug related connection with someone
Mama-ma-ma
Expression of distress
Come here quicker
Asking someone for help urgently
This cocaine is making me sing
Describing how cocaine is affecting him mentally
Cocaine
Repeating that he is struggling with cocaine yet again
In my brain
Describing where the cocaine is affecting him, reiterating its mental toll
Its the real thing
Expressing how serious his addiction is
Got up this morning
Describing the start of his day
Dressed in white
Describing his own clothing
I walked out my front door
Describing leaving his living quarters
I had a bad fight with cocaine
Expressing an ongoing battle with addiction
All around my brain
Again, describing the effect of cocaine on his mind
Oh baby help me come here quick
Asking for immediate help
You know this cocaine is making me sick
Expressing the physical and mental sickness that cocaine brings him
Cocaine
Reiterating his struggle with cocaine
Can't get it out of my brain
Expressing the extreme difficulty he faces in overcoming his addiction
Its the real thing
Reiterating the seriousness of his addiction
She came along yall
Shifting the topic to a woman who appears
Dressed in blue
Describing her clothing
She looked so good
Expressing her attractiveness
What on Earth am I going to do now
Recognizing the quandary he is in
Cocaine
Repeating, yet again, his addiction
All around my brain
Once again, describing the mental effect of cocaine on him
Play it now
Encouraging someone to start playing music immediately
Writer(s): William Nichols, T. J. Arnall
Contributed by Alyssa J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ThePhototroon
In my opinion Steve Marriott was the greatest white soul singer ever. this is one awesome track.
@patricknunez8884
AGREE!
@Mounutt
An extremely big voice in a very small body! Like a neighborhood in Alabama within 120 pounds 😄
@ladyrcursed666
What A Voice ❤
@one5643
Difficult to decide between him and Eric burdon
@chrisjenkins5846
The mighty atom marriot...my vocal hero
@SebastianHalfpenny
Did he ever play this one live? This is a real hidden gem of his. God bless ya Steve! We miss you. 30 years in April.
@davidpbailey
RIP Steve You are much missed.
@lucianoosorio5942
Wished this song was on Spotify
Edit: It’s on Spotify, you type the song name and later humble pie
@soicangoplaces791
Legend