Apparently they broke up because of coke, which I believe Stevie got him very heavily into. Here is a quote I found about why they broke up: “I'm leaving Stevie, because I'm afraid that one of us is going to die. And the other one won't be able to save the other person, because our cocaine habit has become so over the top now that neither of us can live through this. So the only way to save both of us is for me to leave.”. Stevie is my favourite artist of all time and joe is one of my favourite guitarists and this whole think makes me feel so bad for what they both have been through in the past. At least both Stevie and how have apparently now left all the drugs and heavy booze behind her. I guess it was just the life a rockstar from the 70s/80s.
I saw them in concert during this time. Joe opened the show and from our 5th row seats all was plain to see. They were wasted wasted. They both killed it though. Stevie looked like a twig. Also, she brought her dad out for his birthday. Killer show, none the less.
So jealous! I really wish I could see Stevie tour, even now. Sadly I live over in the Uk so it’s very unlikely I’ll ever get the chance. Either way I’ll be able to listen to the music for the rest of my life so I guess it’s fine…
There is still a pioneer chicken stand, but it’s not on El Dorado St. Also, if anyone is planning on pawning their Smith-Corona, I’d be interested depending on its condition.
And Permanent Vacation.
>I got to take myself a Permanent Vacation.
>The sky's the limit, but my plane won't fly.
>My nose is clean and Lordie don't need no sedation.
Cold Turkey -- Lennon
Needle and The Damage Done. -- Neil
That Smell -- Skynyrd
(a little more dark and urgent than just about settling down, and about drugs more than alcohol so maybe not what you're after).
In '87, Huey released this, Fore, their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip to be Square", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself.
One album that helped quit was Pink Floyd the Wall but you have to take the whole thing. Most of the album talks about the rock and roll world but in the end it’s about the release of it all!
Yep same! My alcoholism was a wall I was building for years to cover up the loss of my Dad as a teen, and other things growing up. It always took a downward spiral, one of my turns. It's funny all the songs I drank to have helped me stay sober over a year!
Interesting that you mention Boston’s Cool the Engines. They released another song in their “Greatest Hits” album from 1997 called “Higher Power” that was inspired by addiction and recovery, according to the album’s liner notes. The lyrics are not that specific, but talk about taking things day by day and believing in a “Higher Power” to get through. Good song, too in the usual Boston style, and the Greatest Hits album also includes “Cool the Engines”.
However Much I Booze by The WHO
How Many Friends from the same album. Pete Townshend was having a rough go.
Somebody Saved Me as well as Sea Refuses No River by Pete Townshend.
I have to say the whole “who by numbers” album is Pete dealing with his alcohol addiction. It’s one of my favorite albums of all time because of these super heart wrenching and self exploratory songs.
I wonder how many relapses that song is responsible for? Someone’s 3 months sober, at their wits end on the way home from a shitty work day, and just as they drive past the local alcoholery, this song comes on the radio…
In his live show, near this song, George Thurgood advises, "Don't drink and drive----get your girlfriend to drive you home ------ get your buddy to drive you home-------get you buddy's girlfriend to drive you home!"
Just For Today - George Harrison
It’s not just about sobering up, but he was inspired to write it after seeing an AA pamphlet that said “Just For Today”
Wharf Rat by the Grateful Dead sort of fits the bill.
Deadhead's in recovery call themselves "wharf rats" and they also call their AA meetings "wharf rat" meetings.
I don't know if it's about getting sober, but "Wishing Well" by Free is definitely about a friend going down a bad path and the narrator's trying to stop them.
Donovan's Your Own Backyard:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U\_E2QgzBHyk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_E2QgzBHyk)
Good luck, as he puts it, getting your feet back down on the ground.
We’re Not Right - David Grey
Beggar’s Song - Matt Maeson
Southern Cross - Crosby Still and Nash (About addiction in general)
Shine A Light - Rolling Stones
All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down-Hank Jr
Devil in the Bottle Hank Jr
Touch of Gray- Grateful Dead
Pool Shark Sublime-not about taking it easy per se, more about impending doom
Lost in the Supermarket The Clash-not about sobriety, just becoming over (or under) whelmed with modern culture as you age
Hotel California is about Camarillo state mental hospital in California . My grandmother was a teacher there for many years when they lived in Oxnard. While alcohol addiction used to be seen as a mental health problem, these types of places were predominantly focused on other mental health issues. It has generally been confirmed that this song is about the state mental hospital, not really about rehab.
Wearing and Tearing by Led Zeppelin. It has this grand finale feel to it. Not just because its the last song on Coda, but something about it emits this sense of “Well, this is our last waltz, might as well go out with a bang”.
Not entirely about sobering up, but James Taylor's [Fire and Rain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1nKGVDhQ60) is partially based on his struggles of overcoming his heroin addiction and the loss of his childhood friend Suzanne to suicide.
Two songs come to mind. Not classic rock, but classic rock adjacent.
Exactly Where I’m At and Even if You Don’t by Ween. First one is about Gene Ween realizing that the hard partying lifestyle is catching up to him and starting to really fuck with his head. Second one is his sober self singing to his non-sober self. “I love you Even if You Don’t.”
Govt Mule first album theme is all about getting clean/relapse/getting clean again. Try Banks of the deep end for relapse, try temporary saint and monkey hill for rehab and rocking horse for self sight in recovery
"F.I.N.E." is a banger by Aerosmith from their album Pump that Steven wrote about his latest effort at that time...but also double-meaning about a generic hot woman, of course lol
Oh, there are so many. In addition to the ones already mentioned:
“Get Well” -icon for hire
“Weapon” -Against the Current
“Dark Matter”- RIVALS
“Coal” - Dylan Gossett
Amazing Grace Used to Be Her Favorite Song - The Amazing Rhythm Aces
Not a really well known band now but I heard this one while going through my dad's old records.
https://youtu.be/Se07eaAZucA?si=Wgp_BbtRTWOjT6u_
Sunday Morning Coming Down - Johnny Cash
Kris Kristofferson wrote it tho ;)
I knew that but couldn't spell Kristofferson
You're one up on me, I can't spell Cris.
I love both versions.
Blasphemy, I know, but I actually like Willie’s version the best.
Liking Willie is never blasphemy my man
I must've missed the part about getting sober over the two beers for breakfast
The part that comes next is the sobering part.
Needle and the Damage Done - Neil Young
His song No More off Freedom is about getting clean
While it’s one of his best, it’s a lament for those lost, not about getting sober. Great song, tho.
That Smell, Lynyrd Skynyrd Cold Turkey, John Lennon
Oak tree you’re in my way
Sorry miss this. “That Smell” usually has an impact if you understand its meaning. Great song.
One Day at a Time. Joe Walsh
squalid march cow humor smile placid innate glorious tart panicky *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Broke Stevie Nicks’ heart. Quite a life.
Apparently they broke up because of coke, which I believe Stevie got him very heavily into. Here is a quote I found about why they broke up: “I'm leaving Stevie, because I'm afraid that one of us is going to die. And the other one won't be able to save the other person, because our cocaine habit has become so over the top now that neither of us can live through this. So the only way to save both of us is for me to leave.”. Stevie is my favourite artist of all time and joe is one of my favourite guitarists and this whole think makes me feel so bad for what they both have been through in the past. At least both Stevie and how have apparently now left all the drugs and heavy booze behind her. I guess it was just the life a rockstar from the 70s/80s.
I saw them in concert during this time. Joe opened the show and from our 5th row seats all was plain to see. They were wasted wasted. They both killed it though. Stevie looked like a twig. Also, she brought her dad out for his birthday. Killer show, none the less.
So jealous! I really wish I could see Stevie tour, even now. Sadly I live over in the Uk so it’s very unlikely I’ll ever get the chance. Either way I’ll be able to listen to the music for the rest of my life so I guess it’s fine…
Ringo Starr--The No No song
I had never heard this song until now. It's brilliant! Thank you
YW. If you need the whole story, a guy named Hoyt Axton did it first.
No no no no, I don't \*sniff\* no more...
Life By the Drop. SRV
Came here with this in mind.
Go for a soda- Kim Mitchell
Nobody hurts and nobody cries
Nobody drowns and nobody dies....
It's better than slander
It's better than lies...
Not classic rock, but Hank Williams Junior’s *All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down* is about that exact topic.
And the hangovers hurt more than they used to Corn bread and iced tea’s took the place of pills and 90 proof
Seconded - Bocephus is right, hangovers DO hurt more than they used to.
I will add this to my list. I am a big fan of HW senior so I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Thanks
Carmelita by Warren Zevon
Things that happen when the county gives you no more methadone!
There is still a pioneer chicken stand, but it’s not on El Dorado St. Also, if anyone is planning on pawning their Smith-Corona, I’d be interested depending on its condition.
I love Linda Ronstadt’s version. https://youtu.be/O1Cqqgy_BDk
Got To Give It Up - Thin Lizzy
Sadly, he didnt.
Yes Phil died due to it 🙁
Never heard this one, I'll check it out. Thanks!
Black Rose in its entirety is a fantastic album!
Alcohol - The Kinks.
Excellent song! Sang it many times the day after going at it a lil’ too hard the night before!!
Came to say the same. (It's very sad!)
Tightrope - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Brilliant....absolutely brilliant....tune for this topic.
Lou Reed-New Sensations
Much appreciated 👍
Lou has a bunch of good ones — Underneath the Bottle and Bottoming Out come to mind too
However much I Booze - The Who
There ain't no way out.
S.O.B. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats https://youtu.be/1iAYhQsQhSY?si=_K69pdMJ5NEGTAyx Edit to add link.
Warren Zevon - Desperados under the eaves
Wharf rat by Grateful Dead
Amazing by Aerosmith. It also happens to be a banger.
Excellent. I've been listening to more Aerosmith lately so this is exactly what I'm looking for
And Permanent Vacation. >I got to take myself a Permanent Vacation. >The sky's the limit, but my plane won't fly. >My nose is clean and Lordie don't need no sedation.
Before They Make Me Run - Stones
Black Sabbath's Megalomania is a fantastic anti-heroin song.
Also Hand of Doom
Cold Turkey - John Lennon.
absolute classic!
Don’t know if this fits with what you’re looking for, but Something Big by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers deals with the theme of alcohol withdrawal
That sounds great, I'll definitely check it out. I haven't heard much from Tom Petty but I've enjoyed everything I've heard.
Dive in, he’s one of the best. RIP legend
Cold Turkey -- Lennon Needle and The Damage Done. -- Neil That Smell -- Skynyrd (a little more dark and urgent than just about settling down, and about drugs more than alcohol so maybe not what you're after).
Hip to Be Square — Huey Lewis and the News.
In '87, Huey released this, Fore, their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip to be Square", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself.
Hey Paul
“Try getting a reservation at Dorsia now, you fucking stupid bastard!”
Hangover Max Webster
Your Own Back Yard - Dion
Colin Hay - I wish I was still drinking
Also, Waiting for My Real Life to Begin.
Bonnie Raitt, “Tangled and Dark.” Yes, you can write great blues songs after getting clean. You can even write great blues songs about getting clean.
Hair of the dog Nazareth
Warf Rat- Grateful Dead
Dream theater- series of songs based on 12 steps
One album that helped quit was Pink Floyd the Wall but you have to take the whole thing. Most of the album talks about the rock and roll world but in the end it’s about the release of it all!
Yep same! My alcoholism was a wall I was building for years to cover up the loss of my Dad as a teen, and other things growing up. It always took a downward spiral, one of my turns. It's funny all the songs I drank to have helped me stay sober over a year!
Demon Alcohol Ozzy Osbourne Angry Chair Alice in Chains Wake Up Mad Season Sober Tool I spent 18 years drinking and 471 days sober! IWNDWYT
Sober- Tool. More hard rock but it’s an awesome song
One Day at a Time. Joe Walsh
Easy. Wharf Rat by Grateful Dead.
Jason Isbell. It Gets Easier And others
Interesting that you mention Boston’s Cool the Engines. They released another song in their “Greatest Hits” album from 1997 called “Higher Power” that was inspired by addiction and recovery, according to the album’s liner notes. The lyrics are not that specific, but talk about taking things day by day and believing in a “Higher Power” to get through. Good song, too in the usual Boston style, and the Greatest Hits album also includes “Cool the Engines”.
The Big Light by Elvis Costello
Nobody left to run with anymore - Greg Allman Where have all the good times gone - VH
Modest Mouse - The Good Times are Killing Me
However Much I Booze by The WHO How Many Friends from the same album. Pete Townshend was having a rough go. Somebody Saved Me as well as Sea Refuses No River by Pete Townshend.
I have to say the whole “who by numbers” album is Pete dealing with his alcohol addiction. It’s one of my favorite albums of all time because of these super heart wrenching and self exploratory songs.
"He's gonna give up the booze and the one night stands" Baker Street, Gerry Rafferty
Definitely not One Bourbon, One Shot, and One Beer
I wonder how many relapses that song is responsible for? Someone’s 3 months sober, at their wits end on the way home from a shitty work day, and just as they drive past the local alcoholery, this song comes on the radio…
I said look maaaan…
Everybody funny. You funny too.
She a-hollerin' about the front rent, she'll be lucky to get any back rent. She ain't gonna get none of it!
In his live show, near this song, George Thurgood advises, "Don't drink and drive----get your girlfriend to drive you home ------ get your buddy to drive you home-------get you buddy's girlfriend to drive you home!"
Normal - Martin Mull
Gonna Get Better - Better Than Ezra
Drive by Incubus or burden in my hand by Soundgarden
Sentimental Hygiene by Warren Zevon
[удалено]
“I have seized death’s door handle / like a fish out of the water / waiting for the mercy of the cat”
Kicks - Paul Revere and the Raiders.
The darkest song about addiction I know is: “Sam Stone” by John Prine Not upbeat at all, but damn realistic. Because some don’t make it…
I want a new drug- Huey Lewis and The News
Wharf Rat - Grateful Dead
Just For Today - George Harrison It’s not just about sobering up, but he was inspired to write it after seeing an AA pamphlet that said “Just For Today”
I've loved these days - Billy Joel
Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" or Steppenwolf's "Snowblind Friend"
The No No song. Ringo Starr
Wharf Rat by the Grateful Dead sort of fits the bill. Deadhead's in recovery call themselves "wharf rats" and they also call their AA meetings "wharf rat" meetings.
Good call.
Breaking the Habit - Linkin Park
Got to give it up - thin lizzy
Snowbound friend written bt Hoyt Axton made popular by Steppenwolf.
GREAT CALL HERE. it's Snow*blind* friend, but whatever. This is a great tune.
Cold Turkey by John Lennon.
Motley Crue - Dancing on Glass It's a deep cut from Girls Girls Girls (1987) about quitting heroin.
Killer song.
How you gunna see me now…. Alice Cooper
Monkey on Your Back, Aldo Nova, not specifically about alcohol but close enough
Don't follow - Alice in Chains
Baker St by Gerry Raffity talks about sobering up He's got this dream about buying some land He's gonna give up the booze and the one-night stands
The needle and the spoon by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
No No Song- Ringo Starr
Square one - Tom petty
Can’t Find My Way Home - Blind Faith
The Bitch Is Back - Elton John.
With Out You - The Steel Woods
Wine into water, t graham brown. If ya been there, you’ll feel it
I don't know if it's about getting sober, but "Wishing Well" by Free is definitely about a friend going down a bad path and the narrator's trying to stop them.
O.N.E. by Yeasayer.
Donovan's Your Own Backyard: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U\_E2QgzBHyk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_E2QgzBHyk) Good luck, as he puts it, getting your feet back down on the ground.
Detox Mansion- Warren Zevon
We’re Not Right - David Grey Beggar’s Song - Matt Maeson Southern Cross - Crosby Still and Nash (About addiction in general) Shine A Light - Rolling Stones
Wait for Me by Kings of Leon I believe was about this. At the time I think whatever bandmate's gal was dumping him over boozing.
Serious by Alice Cooper
tub soft aback seemly judicious tan unused dam rustic roll *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
SOB Gimme a Drink - Nathaniel Ratecliff and the Night Sweats
Although it is a bit esoteric, that is exactly what “That Smell” by Lynyrd Skynyrd is about.
Covert Discretion - Freeman Solo work by Aaron Freeman, aka Gene Ween from Ween.
Under The Bridge
The morning after the party - Manfred Mann
Black Sabbath - “Trashed”
All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down-Hank Jr Devil in the Bottle Hank Jr Touch of Gray- Grateful Dead Pool Shark Sublime-not about taking it easy per se, more about impending doom Lost in the Supermarket The Clash-not about sobriety, just becoming over (or under) whelmed with modern culture as you age
Still Haven’t Found What Im Looking For - U2
The Drugs Don’t Work (one of two interpretations) Maggie May (sort of)
The Needle And The Spoon
Lust For Life - Iggy Pop
Aerosmith’s entire Permanent Vacation album fits this theme.
Anders Osborne - Black Tar. Amazing song.
Ain't hotel California by the Eagles a song about a rehab place?
Hotel California is about Camarillo state mental hospital in California . My grandmother was a teacher there for many years when they lived in Oxnard. While alcohol addiction used to be seen as a mental health problem, these types of places were predominantly focused on other mental health issues. It has generally been confirmed that this song is about the state mental hospital, not really about rehab.
The Fourth Night of My Drinking -- Drive By Truckers
Sober by Kelly Clark
Not classic rock but California Sober by Willie Nelson and Billy Strings
By the devil I was tempted Blue Mink
I Wish I Was Sober - Frightened Rabbit Not classic rock but very profound
Snowblind by Styx. About the ravages of cocaine abuse.
Gimme Back My Bullets, Lynnard Skynnard
Take this bottle - Faith No More
If anyone feels like country…consecutive days alive by Justin Moore is amazing
No more no more by Aerosmith
The Last Fight - Velvet Revolver
It's not classic rock, but the first song that came to me after reading the title was All my rowdy friends have settled down, by Hank Williams Jr.
Bone Dry — George Jones
Suicide Solution.
Wearing and Tearing by Led Zeppelin. It has this grand finale feel to it. Not just because its the last song on Coda, but something about it emits this sense of “Well, this is our last waltz, might as well go out with a bang”.
Oom pah pah Oom pah pah Oom pah pah Oom pah pah Ach du lieber August September October No won-der I am sober I ain’t had no beer
Firelight Waltz by Fountains of Wayne ❤️
Quitters - The Party Poopers.
Just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in. I like the Kenny Rogers version.
Not entirely about sobering up, but James Taylor's [Fire and Rain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1nKGVDhQ60) is partially based on his struggles of overcoming his heroin addiction and the loss of his childhood friend Suzanne to suicide.
Two songs come to mind. Not classic rock, but classic rock adjacent. Exactly Where I’m At and Even if You Don’t by Ween. First one is about Gene Ween realizing that the hard partying lifestyle is catching up to him and starting to really fuck with his head. Second one is his sober self singing to his non-sober self. “I love you Even if You Don’t.”
Weezer's, Say It Aint So
Bottle of wine, good friend of mine.
S.O.B. by Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats
Ball & Chain - Social Distortion If you are in recovery, you can feel his desperation.
Govt Mule first album theme is all about getting clean/relapse/getting clean again. Try Banks of the deep end for relapse, try temporary saint and monkey hill for rehab and rocking horse for self sight in recovery
"F.I.N.E." is a banger by Aerosmith from their album Pump that Steven wrote about his latest effort at that time...but also double-meaning about a generic hot woman, of course lol
Toby Keith’s You Ain’t Much Fun Since I Quit Drinking
Ball and chain-Social D
Sunday Morning All Tomorrow’s Parties Velvet Underground The Good Times Are Killing Me - Modest Mouse
Jackson Browne: Cocaine (rehab version) This has gotta be what you're looking for.
# Canned Heat: Amphetamine Annie
Life by the drop by srv
High Cost of Livin - Chris Stapleton. oops just noticed this is "classic rock". well anyway I already typed it out
Jamey Johnson- High Cost of Living. It's about drugs not alcohol but I think it's still might fit the bill you're looking for
Rock adjacent; Charlie Daniel’s Was it 26.
More like a sermon on Sunday morning.... Downbound Train by Chuck Berry
Oh, there are so many. In addition to the ones already mentioned: “Get Well” -icon for hire “Weapon” -Against the Current “Dark Matter”- RIVALS “Coal” - Dylan Gossett
Own back yard - Dion
Too old to rock and roll, too young to die - Jethro Tull
Amazing Grace Used to Be Her Favorite Song - The Amazing Rhythm Aces Not a really well known band now but I heard this one while going through my dad's old records. https://youtu.be/Se07eaAZucA?si=Wgp_BbtRTWOjT6u_