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Listen To 
Neil Young
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5. Popular Music 


And 


Drugs
RM Radio
Coming Soon
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In this segment:

we look at drugs and Western Popular music. The norms of behaviour in Western 

`traditional’ culture have long been challenged by alternative ideologies and lifestyles 

and indeed perceptions of self and sexuality. Those considering themselves to be 

`progressive’ or `liberated’ often measure/or determine what they regard as `oppressive’

societies by mainstream and even official attitudes to personal things like sexuality and 

drug use.  Those  more conservative’ elements in society, however, tend to measure 

what they consider as the 'decay’ and corruption of societies in much the same way. 


Attitudes to sexuality and `drug’ use can thus tell us a lot about the power relations of 

any given society. And much of collective society’s attitudes and indeed the challenges 

to them are reflected in Western Popular music. 


Therefore in this segment, we examine some Popular music linked to the use of drugs

and review the implicit and explicit messages therein.


JJ Cale Cocaine




Drug Music

Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit


Drug Use Has Been A Common Human Activity Since The Dawn Of 


Time

As we all know, drug use has been a common human activity since the dawn of  time. 

Drugs and their use and the economy of their trade has often been central to many  

civilisations. They have also been used as a weapon of war, and also as a tool for 

foreign policy ends. Indeed governments have long involved themselves in the drug 

trade, both legally and illegally, covertly and overtly, for the obvious financial and

other benefits that can be attained.

Drug Wars

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For example, the  British used the opium trade to break

down the trade doors of China and then ultimately

waged what was known as the 'Opium Wars' against

China when China opposed such enforced trade.

 
More recently, among other governments, it's claimed

the United States through its intelligence and other

agencies long involved itself and controlled the global

drug trade - or a large part of it to finance various foreign policy objectives

(particularly in the Reagan era) both in Southeast Asia, as the French did before them

- as we know.


This was the case also in Central America -

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President Noreaga
 
when more recently America, during the Reagan

Administration financed the 'dirty war' against Nicaragua,

using President Noreaga of Panama, among others, as an

intermediary and conduit, in such operations as

Iran-Contragate. The drugs used in these operations,

primarily heroin, of course, were highly illegal,  but not all 

addictive and harmful drugs in human society are!  




Our Use  Of Drugs Is Selective - Some Are Sanctioned - Some Are Not

Depending On Power Relations

Around the world, human societies tend to treat and use drugs selectively, some are 

sanctioned and seen as acceptable by various societies and states.  For example, as we 

know in the West - the use of alcohol and tobacco as opposed to others, are seen as 

acceptable drugs. The question of just what is acceptable and what is not in various 

cultures and countries around the globe, is of course dependent on the dominant power 

relations within a community and on what economy those power relations depend on. 


In our present  dominant Western societies,  two main drugs actually underpin our

lifeways, and even our economies to some extent, i.e - nicotine and  alcohol. And as 

such they are considered respectable and legitimate, whereas other drugs such as 

heroin and marijuana (grass) are not. Yet this is not the same in all  societies - as we 

get shifting power relations and socialising processes which work to make some drugs 

institutionalised and acceptable and others  not.

Take  prohibition in the US for example and attempts to ban alcohol.

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The power structures in the United States in support of the 

vested interests around alcohol saw this 'vested interest' win out - 

and saw acceptance over time of its  legitimacy and moral worth 

as a social good,  as opposed to heroin which is seen as morally 

bad and corrupting, and deadly. And yet, more people die 

from alcohol and smoking than anything else on this planet.

 
 
Therefore,  when we get a dominant elite or set of  power relations supporting the use

of one product or another, we also usually get a socialising process swing in as well to

support this  structure. Usually this socialising process is waged by institutional

supporting  agencies such as other arms of the elite  or power structure - these may 

be the state religion, and other bodies which  together shape a culture in which
 
which such `outside’ drugs are seen to be immoral  and as such therefore `bad’, etc.



Cold Chisel - Cheap Wine
Captain Matchbox - That Cat Is High


The Debate Over Drugs Reflects A Broader Debate Between 

Collectivism and Libertarianism


Nevertheless in any society, there are always supporters of behaviour that is accepting 

of different  moral codes and practices and even certain illegal drug use. Hence, at 

least in the West, we get ongoing debates and sometimes bitter ones, and civil 

disobedience, wherein some sectors of society try and get some drugs, or behavior, 

accepted as morally and legally legitimate and acceptable, for all  sorts of reasons, 

ideological, economic - and/or other.


At least in the West anyway, such debate over the use of drugs, or other aspects of 

behaviour, has often been central to broader political debates about the way human 

society should be organised. The drugs debate is central to this debate. 

 
And within this debate is the 'Collectivism' versus 'Libertarianism' 'sub' debate - a

debate over the legitimate role of the state and the reach of its power in our society. A

debate that is fundamentally central to the way we organise our community, and hence

a debate we should briefly cover now.

Collectivism Versus Libertarianism

Now, much of our ideas of politics centres upon the idea and function/ role of the 

'State'. And a great deal of academic and practical argument about politics can be 

reduced to disagreements about the legitimate role of the State. For example, whether 

the State ought to own any of the means of production, or whether it should leave the 

economy in the hands of private enterprise. 


The two opposing extremes in the debate over the legitimate role of the State have 

been termed 'Libertarianism' and 'Collectivism'. We should now briefly outline what 

these concepts mean and then also why Collectivism in fact has tended to become 

the dominant orthodoxy over the last century or so, and as such show how the drugs 

debate highlights many of the features of this debate.

Libertarianism

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The idea of 'Libertarianism' is composed of a number of 

characteristics.  
 

First: Its first feature is a stress upon the individualism of human 

beings, and their right to pursue interests  unhindered by the 

interference of the State and its agencies. The individual is believed 

to hold certain inalienable rights which are not the subject of, and 

do not fall within, the sphere of the arbitrary whims of  

government. 


Such rights would be the right to be tried by a jury, freedom from 

arbitrary arrest, and the right to no taxation without representation. 


Associated with these  political and civil rights are those pertaining to the economic 

sphere. The free  acquisition and use of one’s property, including one’s own labour, 

should fall outside the State’s sphere of influence. Thus a person is entitled to the 

fruit’s of his/her labour  and any interference with this right is a gross infringement of 

individual liberty. (Indeed this entitlement has often been the basis for arguments 

concerning the provision of incentive for increased productivity and for the provision

of spontaneous genius in a society. Novel and ingenious inventions will only be 

forthcoming within a society when individuals are allowed to benefit from their 

inventive capacities.)

Second:

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Its second feature, and following on from the first, is that the 

individual being the embodiment of  certain  inalienable rights, is 

considered to have an invisible circle, or 'bubble' drawn around 

him or her. This circle is considered to circumscribe the area of 

activity which is exclusively the realm of the individual. A 

distinction is thus made, then, between 'self-regarding' and 'other 

regarding ' interests. Those activities which affect only the 

individual, or consenting  individuals, concerned are the exclusive  

domain of the person as opposed to the State. Extreme libertarians 

therefore would apply this to the free use of drugs, and the unimpeded engagement in 

any form of sexual  activity.


However, where an individual’s actions self-evidently impinge upon those of another 

without their consent, and  consent here would be a contract between an employer and 

employee, the  former restricting the movements of the latter during hours of work, 

and where palpable harm is perceived, the State then is believed to have a role to play 

in preventing this harm.


The State, therefore, is considered to be a necessary evil. Libertarians believe that 

the powers of the State must be strictly limited to those minimal concerns of providing 

the framework within which individual liberties can be preserved. 


The State, then, is there to ensure and contribute to, the maintenance of individual 

rights and liberties, including the free use of drugs, as this falls within the domain of
 
the inalienable rights of the individual to perform self regarding interests - an essential 

human freedom. Indeed, the State is considered to be opposed to the individual, if it 

denies this freedom. The thing to remember, therefore, is that Libertarians distrust 

the power of the State because they believe that power corrupts and that absolute 

power corrupts absolutely. And it is within this bubble of autonomy - or freedom, those

who would support the right to use drugs, or forms of considered `unnatural sex’ 

challenge the State.

Third:

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This leads to the third feature of Libertarianism. This is a fear 

of large concentrations of power. The power of the State 

should be diffused throughout society. In other words there is

a predisposition to favour pluralistic politics. If  you take the 

British constitution, for  example, the fear of  large

concentrations of power has led to constant concern over 

the separation of the  powers and constant argument over the 

checks and balances which restrain power,  such as the freedom of the press. 

This fear of strong central government, leads to a stress upon relatively autonomous 

local authorities, free from the dictatorial hand of a centralised State.

Fourth:

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A fourth feature of Libertarianism is that everyone, even those in 

positions of power, is equal before the law. This doctrine is 

commonly known as the rule of law. Officials are not exempted 

from the law, and the laws must be clearly identifiable in  order that 

individuals who break them can reasonably predict the 

consequences.


So, in essence you could say that Libertarianism involves a negative 

attitude towards the State. In its most extreme form it borders on 

anarchy. Individuals are considered sacrosanct and the State is a 

necessary evil restricting certain areas of liberty to prevent harm to others. 
 

Individuals  are viewed as autonomous and independent entities, possessing rights 

which entitle them to pursue their own self interest within a framework of laws 

designed to protect these rights and minimise potential conflict in society. The State,

then, does not have an active role to play in imposing grand designs, or purposes on a 

society. It does not set ideals to be attained by society as a whole. People are not 

associated in society in terms of a common purpose to achieve this or that desired goal 

for the collective good of the community. 
 

It is not, then, what Michael Oakshott would call an enterprise association. It is a civil 

association where individuals acknowledge the authority of the laws, and engage in 

argument about their desirability without questioning their authority. Individuals 

within civil association pursue their own purposes and not those imposed upon them by 

the State. The idea, then of a planned economy, or five year plans for industry directed 

by the State, are totally anathema to the Libertarian.

Collectivism

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Collectivism, in contrast, has a totally different conception of 

the State and the individual. Individuals are not conceived as 

autonomous self-seeking units; they are understood to be 

social entities related to one another in the social whole. 
 
Individuals are dependent upon one another and could not 

attain what they attain without conducive social conditions to 

facilitate it. Thus, if part of society is  suffering and falling 

into decay it will have detrimental implications for the whole 

of society.  The Collectivist is predominantly concerned not 

with individual freedoms and liberties, but with the public good.
 
Society is viewed as being something more  than its parts and possessing certain rights 

apart from those of individuals. The State is viewed as a necessary and all 

encompassing aspect of society. Far  from being opposed to the individual the State 

provides the conditions for self-enhancement. 

 
The State, then, is obliged to intervene in the free market to alleviate the indiscriminate 

inequalities it precipitates. There is a stress upon equality of opportunity. Each 

individual should be afforded the same opportunities to enhance their position in life. 

Social Justice becomes of prime importance and provides the justification for State 

involvement in all aspects of society.

 
Strong positive government is advocated by Collectivists in order to maintain the 

conditions of a comfortable life free from poverty and deprivation for all members of 

the community. The redistribution of wealth within society will be achieved through 

taxation and property laws and rights should benefit the whole community and not just 

privileged individuals.  After all, the enjoyment of one’s property is  a socially 

recognised activity. Without the acknowledgment of society in respect of private

property the institution could not exist. Thus property must be  distributed in such a 

way as to benefit the common good.

 
There  are of course many thinkers who would fall somewhere between these two 

extremes,  advocating free enterprise in respect of economic affairs, but at the same 

time  recognising that the State must provide certain services which ought not to be 

left to the whims of the market, such as education, social services and  health.

The Reality

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Theory aside, the reality of all this is that the Libertarian 

extreme is an ideal which has never in fact existed. Many 

Libertarians concede that the State must regulate industry 

in some rudimentary respects to prevent freedom of choice 

being restricted. Thus they welcome anti-monopoly laws, and 

would sometimes accept protectionist measures by the State

to promote new or ailing industries. In addition, the State has
 
always had a certain responsibility for the security of a nation. Indeed, the conduct of 

the security of a nation, especially in times of war has been one of the greatest 

contributors to the growth of Collectivism. In fact there has been a growth of 

Collectivism commensurate with the development and  sophistication of society, 

technology, war, health and education,  etc.

Drugs And Libertarians

However, while we note that Libertarianism does not exist in its extreme form,

elements of it do exist as we know, and in demands for individual freedoms in certain 

affairs such as sexuality and lifestyle - in terms of freedom of choice of the drugs we 

use, and the partners we choose for sex.



So What Has Modern Pop Music Actually Said About Drug Use?

Enough of theory, let’s now turn to modern pop and drug use. What has modern pop 

music actually said about drug use?
Janis Joplin - Cry Baby



As we know, drugs have 

been the staple diet of 

many 'musos' - and as 

such,  drugs have taken 

their toll on many 

musicians - let’s name a 

few. 
Sex Pistols - My Way


Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, even others like Andy Gibb, and Sid Viscious died of

heroin overdoses, etc. But again we are  being selective - Bon Scott of AC/DC it's 

claimed also died of alcoholic poisoning, as did Peter Moon of The Who, and many 

others.


Therefore,  messages about drugs issuing from the Pop industry have been rather mixed

- some have advocated drug use, others have condemned it.


Some Music Describes The Hallucinogenic Effects Of Drugs

There is, and has also been, plenty of music around describing the effects of drugs 

without necessarily making any sort of commentary on their respective value or 

worth, or morality. Let’s hear some.

The Beatles - Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds
Donovan - Mellow Yellow

Drugs And The Counterculture


However, there was a time - way back when in the 1960s, when the Pop culture and 

the music did champion the use of illegal drugs. As a result, drugs became the glue of

the counterculture and the music of the counterculture reflected drugs - hence the

name 'Acid Rock' (Acid rock - was no more than 'acid' and music)

 
Let’s read what music expert Rebebee Garafolo writes about Acid Rock:

`It was this sense of  community, of contributing to the collective good that made the

counterculture,  and San Francisco in particular, unique...The music that emerged from

the psychedelic experience came to be known, logically enough, as acid rock. Efforts 

to reproduce the effects of the psychedelic experience naturally resulted in a new kind

of swirling concert poster art and light shows, attempts to incorporate colourful moving

images as an integral part of the music a band was playing.  Sometimes simply the

presence of these extra musical elements was enough to categorise music as acid rock -

but much of it leaned heavily on blues - with psychedelic colouring. In fact blues based

rock enjoyed a surge among white rockers throughout the US during this period.’



As we know, there were many different influences, ideologies and peoples making up 

the counterculture. And the one unifying element that held this myriad of forces 

together was the widespread use of mind-expanding drugs... For the counterculture,

the focus on mind expanding drugs seemed to offer the possibility of greater self-

awareness and consciousness, which would in turn lead to a world without war,

competition, or regimentation.

And Perhaps The Greatest Exponent And Champion Of Drugs, At

Least Musically, Were The Grateful Dead. And Of Course Timothy 

Leary

Timothy Leary
Picture


Both the Dead and  Harvard Uni Professor, Timothy Leary 

were great advocates for the use  of LSD (or Lysergic Acid  

Diethylamide). (The story of  the Grateful Dead is one that 

combines the anti-commercial tendencies of disaffected white

middle class youth with the mind altering properties of 

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) - made famous by Harvard 

uni professor - Timothy Leary.)

The Grateful Dead

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The Grateful Dead came from a smorgasbord of musical

influences...Ever open to the beckoning of  psychedelia, the

'Dead' went on to become one of the  most experimental and 

improvisatory bands in rock.





Some More 'Drug' Music
Small Faces - My Mind's Eye
Traffic - Hole In My Shoe


Anti-Drug Music

Over time, as  we know drugs have extracted/inflicted a tremendous toll on human

kind, and these days much of  Pop even condemns the use of drugs, or at least 

highlights its abuses and impact  - so often deadly.


There have of course been many casualties of the drug industry and many in the Pop 

business as well. Janis Joplin (who was a symbol of rebellion for millions of white 

middle class youth, died of a heroin overdose in 1970) Jimi Hendrix, Bon Scott, Andy 

Gibb, and so many others before and since.


And now there is much music highlighting the horrors and heartbreak associated with 

the industry. One writer observed of the 1960s drug culture: `Some of us thought they 

had found that better place, that greener spring, in drugs and minds that might else


have been good and great were spent and wasted on this youthful foolishness. Few

have looked frankly at this waste of potential, or the unworthiness of the drug for which

so much was sacrificed, and that drug of course was hallucinogenic LSD.'

Anyway,  lets hear some music that could be interpreted as  anti-drug. You have 

already heard Neil Young and the 'The Damage Done'. Let's hear some others.


Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven



But of course not all Pop has been about 

illegal drugs as such - some legal drugs

are just as deadly. Hear the Rolling Stones

sing: 'Mother's Little Helper'
James Taylor - Carolina In My Mind
Rolling Stones - Mother's Little Helper


Pop And Drugs Today

Anyway,  having said all that. Let’s look at Pop and the drug scene today. And there’s 

no prizes for guessing that it is going very well. But as different to the 1960s - the 

music today is mainly dance music - and the drug has largely been Exctasy, and now 

'ice'.

 
In fact, the biggest single development in Britain and elsewhere, in the past 20 years, or 

so, has been the rise of  the ‘Rave’ culture. Though the term has dropped into disuse 

(partly, as we shall see, as a  result of government legislation) the culture of rave - 

extremely long dance sessions to a continuous sound-track fueled by drugs, notably 

Ecstasy, was a  key-stone of teenage experience in Britain, and also to an extent 

elsewhere in the West in the 1990s - at least in the big cities anyway.


The ‘Dance’ or ‘Club’ culture was founded on the premise that the week-end is party-

time. Now ‘parties’ take place every night of the week, and the special party 

atmosphere is ‘guaranteed’ officially by the employment of ‘name’ DJ’s - who are 

now stars’ in their own right -and unofficially by easy access to a wide range of drugs. 
 

The coming of Ecstasy, which combined amphetamines with hallucinogenics, gave 

this scene its unity, its staying power, and its ubiquity. There had been nothing like this
 
before in Britain - it was Mod culture meets Hippie culture - but without the politics 

that both of those either implied or evinced. And one music expert noted there was  the

irony, because the rise of Rave culture helped provoke the Tory (Conservative)

Government  in the UK into passing the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) some time back. 
 

The ‘political’ point we want to make about this is three-fold: 


(i). For the first time ever a  British government sought to outlaw a musical practice 

(and hoped also to kill off that music); 


(ii). The CJA didn’t provoke a truly mass opposition movement - although actions 

taken against were headline-making (notably for violence - police violence is now 

endemic in demonstrations in Britain); 


(iii). How ‘political’ is a drug culture? Is it political because it is informed by a radical 

set of alternative values - say, hedonism versus discipline? Or is it intrinsically 

oppositional because it is criminalised by the State? In whichever interpretation (not

that they are mutually exclusive) this massive drug culture and its total inter-

penetration with a Pop music culture needs to be explored, politically. Now we don’t 

have time to do any of that, save to highlight that the drug culture and Pop are still very

much intertwined these days, and worthy of much, more in depth study.


The above lecture material is heavily based on the work of expert academics - see 

Sources.


 

A Question To Consider:


By examining the evolution  of Western Popular music over the last thirty years would

you regard Western political culture as `progressive’ or `oppressive’ with  regard to  

`drug’ use?



See Below For A Song To Leave You With:



The Black Crowes - Everybody Must Get Stoned


Below Are Some More Pop Music Casualties Of Illegal And Legal 

Drug Abuse.




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