About The Song
In the realm of American music, few bands embody the spirit of Appalachia quite like Old Crow Medicine Show. Hailing from the foothills of Tennessee, this string band has been captivating audiences for over two decades with their blend of bluegrass, folk, and roots rock. Their music is a tapestry of tales woven with the threads of tradition, rebellion, and the struggles of everyday life. And among their extensive discography, no song cuts deeper than “Methamphetamine”.
“Methamphetamine” is a stark and unflinching portrayal of the devastating impact of methamphetamine addiction on individuals, families, and communities. Released in 2008 as part of their album “Tennessee Pusher”, the song has become an anthem for those battling addiction and a poignant reminder of the human cost of this destructive drug.
The song opens with a haunting fiddle melody, setting the stage for the dark narrative that unfolds. Lead singer Ketch Secor’s voice takes on a weary, world-worn tone as he paints a picture of rural America ravaged by meth. He sings of “ghost towns and empty lots”, of “children raised on speed and lies”, and of the “hollow eyes and vacant stares” that haunt the faces of those lost in addiction’s grip.
The chorus is a heart-wrenching plea for redemption, as Secor sings, “Oh, methamphetamine, won’t you leave us be? Set our people free.” It’s a desperate cry for an end to the cycle of addiction, a yearning for a return to a simpler, more hopeful time.
“Methamphetamine” is not just a song about addiction; it’s a song about the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the despair and devastation, there’s an undercurrent of hope that runs through the song. Secor’s voice cracks with emotion as he sings of “mothers searching for their sons” and “fathers trying to hold on”. These are images of love and determination, of people refusing to give up on their loved ones, even in the darkest of times.
In the end, “Methamphetamine” is a powerful reminder that addiction is a complex issue with no easy answers. It’s a song that will stay with you long after the last note has faded, a testament to the enduring power of music to confront difficult truths and offer solace to those who need it most.
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Lyric
Times they ain’t like nothing they used to beFrom Rocky Mount to northeast TennesseeWhere the river flows with a dusty coal diseaseAnd the babies whine cause they can’t find nothing to eatBut mama she ain’t hungry no moreShe’s waiting for a knock on the trailer doorIt’s gonna rock you like a hurricaneIt’s gonna rock you ’til you lose sleepIt’s gonna rock you ’til you’re out of a jobIt’s gonna rock you ’til you’re out on the streetIt’s gonna rock you ’til you’re down on your kneesIt’s gonna have you begging pretty pleaseIt’s gonna rock you like a hurricaneMethamphetamineDon’t need no PHD just a hundred dollar carFind a crooked cop and that doctor disregardYou can call up the mine or the Kentucky national guardI’d rather cut him in line than be dying in the coal yardNow papa he ain’t hungry no moreHe’s waiting for a knock on the trailer doorIt’s gonna rock you like a hurricaneIt’s gonna rock you ’til you lose sleepIt’s gonna rock you ’til you’re out of a jobIt’s gonna rock you ’til you’re out on the streetIt’s gonna rock you ’til you’re down on your kneesIt’s gonna have you begging pretty pleaseIt’s gonna rock you like a hurricaneMethamphetamineWell it’s a war out there and it’s fought by poor white menFrom the Plateau to the falls of the CumberlandYou better watch your back ’cause you just can’t trust a friendBecause the method man is going to get you in the endSo listen to the whispering windIt sounds like a big storm’s rolling inIt’s gonna rock you like a hurricaneIt’s gonna rock you ’til you lose sleepIt’s gonna rock you ’til you’re out of a jobIt’s gonna rock you ’til you’re out on the streetIt’s gonna rock you ’til you’re down on your kneesIt’s gonna have you begging pretty pleaseIt’s gonna rock you like a hurricaneMethamphetamine