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, with the main line changing from "They just make me worse" to "They just make you worse", as Ashcroft attempted to lyrically put across different points of view in the song; "They make you/me worse" reference to the medication his father taking keeping him alive for longer, but not actually making him better, seemingly making him worse.
The single was also noted during Channel 4's "100 Greatest #1 Singles" programme as unintentionally capturing the spirit of the nation as it was released the day after Princess Diana died.
The song has been covered by Ben Harper on his live album Live from Mars, and has also been covered by Skin. In Australia it was also covered by Grinspoon for youth radio station Triple J's Like A Version CD. Adam Gontier has released a version of this song; it has also been covered by Devorah project on its album Bitter sweet symphony / Drugs don't work (Euro House genre) in the 90's (1996). Also covered in Australia by Kate Ceberano on her live album Kate Ceberano and the West Australian Symphony OrchestraIn 2009, Taiwanese rock singer Faith Yang recorded the song as part of her album of English-language covers Self-Selected.
The song's music video begins with several references to The Verve's earlier work. The band appear in the same formation and clothes as they did at the end of the video for "Bitter Sweet Symphony". The cover of the machine on the front of the album No Come Down also appears briefly. The band turns around a corner and walk over to a vending machine called 'Feelings'. This is a reference to the song "Life's an Ocean" from their second album, A Northern Soul, where Ashcroft sings, "I was buying some feelings from a vending machine" (the same vending machine is also seen on the back of that album). The rest of the video shows the band indoors, playing the song, partially in black and white. The video ends with a piece of burning wood floating on water; the words 'Urban Hymns' are written on it. The original concept for the video was to have the band filmed in a maze to illustrate "loss of direction".
The Drugs Don't Work
The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I'm comin' down
And I hope you're thinking of me
As you lay down on your side
Now the drugs don't work
But I know I'll see your face again
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
But I know I'm on a losing streak
'Cause I passed down my old street
And if you wanna show, then just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
'Cause baby, ooo, if heaven falls, I'm coming, too
Just like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead
All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I'm comin' down
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
'Cause baby, ooo, if heaven falls, I'm coming, too
Just like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead
But if you wanna show, just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
I'm never going down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never going down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
The Verve's song "The Drugs Don't Work" expresses a mood of melancholy and resignation. The song seems to be about coping with the imminent death of a loved one, as well as struggling with personal issues such as addiction. The first stanza of the song sets the tone, describing the feeling of being overwhelmed and helpless, like a "cat in a bag" waiting to drown. The singer acknowledges the harmful effects of drugs and the realization that they do not work, but the hope of seeing the loved one's face again gives him the strength to go on.
The second stanza of the song reflects on the singer's past experiences and regrets, particularly in relation to his old neighborhood. He expresses a willingness to perform for the loved one and is hopeful of seeing them again. The chorus reinforces the futility of drugs in providing a cure for the singer's problems, but the prospect of seeing the loved one's face again is a powerful motivator.
Overall, "The Drugs Don't Work" is a poignant reflection on love, loss, addiction, and the inevitability of death.
Line by Line Meaning
All this talk of getting old
The constant reminder that we are aging and our time is running out is depressing me.
It's getting me down my love
This is lowering my mood and affecting how I feel about you.
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
I feel trapped and helpless, as if I'm about to die, but in a slow and painful way like drowning.
This time I'm comin' down
I am finally coming to grips with the reality of my situation, and it's hitting me hard.
And I hope you're thinking of me
I wish you would remember me, even if it's just for a moment.
As you lay down on your side
This could be a reference to the end of a relationship, when two people no longer lay beside each other in bed.
Now the drugs don't work
I have lost faith in the power of medication to cure my emotional pain.
They just make you worse
Taking drugs has only exacerbated my problems instead of easing them.
But I know I'll see your face again
Even though I am feeling down, I have hope that I will be reunited with you again someday.
But I know I'm on a losing streak
I am experiencing a series of setbacks and should expect more disappointment in the future.
'Cause I passed down my old street
I have revisited places that had significance in our relationship, which has brought back memories and emotions.
And if you wanna show, then just let me know
If you would like to meet up and talk to me, please reach out to me.
And I'll sing in your ear again
I will use my music as a way to connect with you and express how I feel.
'Cause baby, ooo, if heaven falls, I'm coming, too
No matter what happens, I will always be there for you, even in the worst of circumstances.
Just like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead
If you were to leave me, I would be so distraught that I might as well be dead.
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
This line adds emphasis and reinforces the idea that there is hope for a reunion in the future.
I'm never going down, I'm never coming down
I will try my best to stay positive and not let my emotions drag me down.
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
This repetition represents a determination to move forward and not look back.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD ASHCROFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheSuzanne92
My dad died an alcoholic/drug user when I was 16 when I close my eyes I hear his voice singing this song. My dad wasn't perfect but he was my dad. ❤️
@1966vader
So sorry for your loss, :'(
@lisamcneill7459
❤️
@sanlorenzo7003
If my wee boys say the same thing I'll have died happy 💖🖤💖
@davidcann2550
Sorry to hear that so sad
@ryanleone5805
So sorry for your loss. You’ll see him again, someday. Promise. ❤️
@patrickgallagher6285
My son is a single father he's only26 but has brain cancer,,this song tears me up,,,please say a prayer for Kyle
@millyjay-7271
Kyle is in my 🙏....😮
@Tityretupatulae
Of course 🙏🏻 🍀
@susanhoward47
I will pray for him x