MARIJUANA AND MUSIC

Have you ever heard a song, and it reminded you of your first kiss, dance, or broken heart? Do you have certain songs you listen to when you are happy and ones when we you are sad? For most of us, music plays a major role in our lives and can truly be considered one hella force with its power to draw millions of people from different parts of the world together and move them emotionally.

From Tom Petty to Ludacris musicians across the musical genre spectrum have gone on record to vocalize their love for weed. While some artists are obscure in their approach – see the Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Woman”, others throw it right in the title, like our favourite Mr. DO-Double G did with ”smoke weed everyday.” Ambiguous or not, we all love songs about the sticky icky, so here are our top 10 musical tributes to cannabis. Is your favourite on the list?

1.“Hits From The Bong” – by Cypress Hill

Not too many hip-hop groups out there have so enthusiastically promoted marijuana as Cypress Hill. Although other rap artist may now be considered marijuana’s top advocates, the honor — wether acknowledged or not — goes to Cypress Hill. They were the first group blunt enough to openly take weed culture to the mainstream platform, paving the way for everyone thereafter. With multiple stoner anthems, its “Hits From the Bong” that sticks in our head more than any of the group’s other songs. If you came of age in the Lollapalooza era, you would know “hits from the bong” for 17-year-old potheads was as necessary as Zig-Zags, a safe place to puff and a reliable dealer.

2. “Blueberry Yum Yum” – by Ludacris f/ Sleepy Brown

In the entire scope of Ludacris’s lyrical catalog, “Blueberry Yum Yum” may not be the first track to come to mind, or even come to mind at all. Surprisingly infectious and modern – this song was before its indelible-hook time. Ludicrous accurately expresses how high-quality cannabis can make you feel. So, if you’re smoking on some of that good-good, play that blueberry yum yum.

3. “Rainy Day Woman”  – by Bob Dylan

With the iconic line, “Everybody Must Get Stoned,” its not surprising that this song is associated with getting ripped, although Dylan insists it isn’t. Dylan told Rolling Stone: “I have never and never will write a “drug song”, but hinted that it could have a Biblical meaning. In spite of the fact that this song was not intended to reference cannabis use, its connotations have given the entire pothead population a psalm for the ages. So, in the spirit of rainy days #wetcoast let’s all get stoned.

4. “Because I got high”  – by Afroman

Look, I’ve forgotten and put off all of my tasks, chores and responsibilities because, well, I got high! Afroman (real name: Joseph Foreman) wrote this song as a joke to describe how smoking weed was degrading his quality of life by making him lazy. Ironically enough it took him two minutes and eleven seconds to write. That being said, we love this tune and can’t help smiling every time we hear it. We challenge everyone to listen (whether you smoke weed or not) and not be grinning before the second verse is done. It’s not possible.

5. “You Don’t Know How It Feels”  – by Tom Petty

From his 1994 solo album “Wildflowers”, “You Don’t Know How it Feels” has to be his most noteworthy – highly karaoked stony hits we know. We’ll get to the point: We feel marijuana had more then a little something to do with this song. Here’s what Petty had to say, “Every blue moon or so, I might have a toke on somebody’s… cigarette. It’s an OK way to live your life, but it’s not to be advised. I’m not going to say it’s good or bad.”This song was banned from TV when it was released because of the drug references. We think Much Music should offer redemption by looping it on October 17th.

6. “Smoke Weed Everyday” – by Snoop Dogg

As an internationally renowned stoner, It’s no shocker that Snoop Dogg writes about one of his favorite activities. The closing line of The Next Episode (the songs actual name), “smoke weed everyday”, became so infamous that the song is more often referred to as “Smoke Weed Everyday.” Snoop took the world a little higher making this a weed tune and a classic stoner slogan, catchphrase and hashtag with over 2 million posts. Considered a true masterpiece SWE will long be associated with the sticky green herb we all love so much.

6. “Kaya” – by Bob Marley

What’s a Top Ten Weed Song list without Bob Marley? Bob Marley was known to have put Jamaican reggae on the map and for his public embrace of marijuana. Kaya is another word for marijuana and the title to one of Marley’s tributes to leaf. In 1978, Kaya wasn’t intentionally made to attract a larger audience in America, but to offer a more accessible version of Bob Marley. Avoiding the political commentary and Rastafarian philosophizing that was common, instead “Kaya” emphasizes love and ganga – making this smooth tune perfect to start your day #wakeandbake #JamwithMarley

7. “Got To Get You Into My Life” – by The Beatles

On August 28, 1964 rock’n’roll as we knew it changed forever, when Bob Dylan introduced The Beatles to marijuana.

Mr. McCartney speaks of this moment – “Got To Get You Into My Life was one I wrote when I had first been introduced to pot. I’d been a rather straight working-class lad but when we started to get into pot it seemed to me to be quite uplifting… I didn’t have a hard time with it and to me it was mind-expanding, literally mind-expanding. So, Got To Get You Into My Life is really a song about that, it’s not to a person, it’s actually about pot. It’s saying, I’m going to do this. This is not a bad idea. So it’s actually an ode to pot, like someone else might write an ode to chocolate or a good claret.”- Paul McCartney

There are no obvious drug references in this song, but seems to be about a guy who is blissfully in love. It’s okay Paul – we feel you <3

8. “The Joker”  – by Steve Miller Band

The Joker, by Steve Miller Band topped the charts in 47 countries, proving that love is not the only thing that transcends all boundaries. But it’s not just love and weed (and the love of weed) that speaks a universal language, humor does too. Who doesn’t like a joker when your high.

9. “It’s All Going to Pot”  – by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.

This upbeat tune was released in 2015, appropriately on April 20. Advocating for the use of marijuana, Nelson and Merle Haggard, almost predict that the rest of the world will follow suit. Putting aside your particular feelings on cannabis legalization “It’s All Going to Pot” is a fun, well written gemstone for Willie and Merle. Kick back and chill to the warm feeling you get simply by hearing the weathered but happy voices of these two old friends making music and getting high.

10. “Legalize It”  – by Peter Tosh

His first two solo records after his split from Bob Marley, Legalize It and Equal Rights are arguably two of the best reggae records ever made, if not the best records of the ’70s. But don’t be fooled by the sound – this song is so much more than chill vibe to get high to. Tosh struggled over this album for years, financially and personally. Its pro-marijuana statements aren’t some pro-drug gimmick, they were religious statements. Tosh was one who deeply believed in his cause; and fought for them. Nearly beaten to death, Tosh still he blew smoke in their faces of his oppressors. Marijuana wasn’t some childish mission to get high, to him, it was righteous. This song was a stand for religious freedom that was later paid for with his life. Huge respect – the battle is almost over. (promo code TOSH-10)

Did we miss out your favourite tune to toke to? Let us know in the comments below or tag us on social media @kingtutscana

STAY LIFTED WEED FAM!