Robyn Hitchcock Song Catalogue

Tell Me About Your Drugs        Lyrics |  Tab |  Gigs |  New Search

Author: Robyn Hitchcock

Released on 6 records:

Spooked, 2004  (CD)  Yep Roc YEP 2086
Element Of Light, 1995  (CD)  Sequel Records RSA CD 824
Element Of Light, 1995  (CD)  Rhino Records R2 71839
The Hooded One, 1988  (Vinyl LP)  Feg You Records FEG 3-28-86
If You Were A Priest, 1986  (Vinyl 12")  Glass Fish Records OOZE 1 T
Element Of Light, 1986  (CD)  Glass Fish Records MOIST 3 CD


Robyn Hitchcock Says: Well, I was walking through...I was walking over a flat area, and it was the middle of winter, and there were lots of dead things on the ground. And I was going over an area of flat paving stones, and I was vibrating internally -- as is my wont -- because I'd just had a cup of coffee (believe it or not). And I thought, 'Oh yes, `Tell Me About Your Drugs`, that would be a good song to write.' So I whipped back inside, and I wrote down the song 'Tell Me About Your Drugs' in about three minutes. I picked up the guitar later that day and sang it, and then recorded it on a portable multi-track machine, played it to the band, and we played it live. It's a song very little thought has gone into. I'm hardly aware of having written it. Do you want to know what it's about, or something? You look like you ate a biscuit with a bone in it (or something).

[If you have something.]
The song is about...phew, John, that's a tough cookie. I don't know. Now you've asked me, I'm wondering what it's about. It seems to me that the words are about people who just wish they were somebody else all the time. They're insecure. They feel inadequate in their own lifestyle. They want to be someone else. Basically, the drugs in question are about other people, you know? They want to idolize somebody because they just can't face existing in their own right. They don't feel that they're worthy, so they get manipulated by the machinery into looking up to somebody and wanting to be them. And also, they can't stand themselves, so maybe they've got to have coke and booze and fags, and all the other things you have out of insecurity. Thanks for asking me. I've got to the bottom of that one.

[Cleansed your soul. You say you recorded it on a 4-track machine. Is it going to come out on an album? I heard you talking about Invisible Hitchcock....]
I don't know. Do you think we should put it out on an album?

[I like the song. Of all the new songs, I like that one the best.]
Ah. That's probably because it's the simplest.

[Perhaps I'm a simpleton.]
You've probably only got basic tastes. Well, I don't know if I'm actually deducing, per se, that you're a simpleton because you have basic tastes. You might be an extremely complex and sophisticated intellect who nevertheless takes pleasure in small, simple, uncomplicated things. I think I'm hitting the nail there, aren't I?

[That's very true, yeah.]
Yup, yup. If we make another record...when we make another record, I'm sure it'll turn up...or it'll be recorded, or something.


Lyrics:

Do you believe in the Holy Grail?
Tell me about your drugs
Do you know anyone in jail?
Tell me about your drugs

Do you wake up on somebody's floor?
Tell me about your drugs
And you just can't take it anymore?
Tell me about your drugs

Ah, we all get hit by forces that we just don't understand

Do you believe in the Holy Ghost?
Tell me about your drugs
Do you like the things that hurt you most?
Tell me about your drugs
Do you wish you were somebody else?
Tell me about your drugs
But you wake up and you're still yourself
Talkin' about your drugs

Ah, we get messed up by forces that we just don't understand

Well, now tell me about your drugs, come on  (Bop bop shoo bop, a-wop bop shoo bop)
Why don't you tell me about your drugs?
I'd love to know more about your drugs
Why don't you get intimate about your drugs
Why don't you call me up and go on for hours 'n hours 'n hours 'n hours 'n hours 'n hours 'n hours about your drugs
Tell me Morris

Do you believe in the endless sleep?
Tell me about your drugs
Do you believe in human sheep?
Tell me about your drugs
WIth their curly little whirly tails?
Tell me about your drugs
So they hang themselves when all else fails
And they're thinkin' about their drugs

Oh, we gets messed up by forces that we just don't understand


No guitar tab entered.


Known to have been played live at 6 gigs:

Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians:
Berkeley Square (Berkeley, California US), 3/19/1986 (Concert)
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians: Town Pump (Vancouver, Canada), 3/24/1986 (Concert)
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians: 1st Avenue (Minneapolis, Minnesota US), 3/26/1986 (Concert)
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians: 9:30 Club (Washington, DC US), 3/28/1986 (Concert)
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians: CND Festival (Glastonbury, England UK), 6/21/1986 (Concert)
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians: Glastonbury Festival (Glastonbury, England UK), 6/19/1987 (Concert)

From now on, sort gigs by:  Date  Performer  Type of Appearance 


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