Song Lyric Sunday: They are no Remedy Anymore.

Good morning everyone this week out great and good host Jim Adams of Song Lyric Sunday is joined by our Nancy the Scillian Story Teller. The this week is substance abuse. Jim as ever has given us a wonderful write up so do please visit him blog and read it. While you’re there check out everyone else’s contributions.

My choice this week is The Drugs Don’t Work by the Verve. It was 1997 a year that rocked our nation. Princess Diana died in a car crash, the day after The Drugs Don’t Work was released . I remember waking up to the news of the death of the Princess of Wales. It was a shock.

Back to the song. For me the album Urban Hymns is the Verve’s best work ever! I have played this song before but I make no apology for playing a great song again. Okay this is a depressing post so let’s lighten the mood. Some years back our middle son popped in to see me and we were chatting away. Here is how the conversation went.

M. I am going up North with some mates next week Mum. Me. Really why ! M. We’re going to see Richard Ashcroft. Me. (Absentmindedly ) Oh! That’s nice you went to school with him didn’t you? How’s he doing I didn’t know he’d moved up North. …. Blank look from son… Mum what are you on about? Richard Ashcroft…The Verve. Me. Looking stupid…Oh! Yes …. coffee ☕

“The Drugs Don’t Work” is a song by English rock band the Verve. The song was written by Richard Ashcroft and is featured on their third studio album, Urban Hymns. It was released on 1 September 1997 as the second single from the album, debuting at number one on the UK singles chart. The beginning of the video shows the band walking down the street, following on from the end of “Bitter Sweet Symphony“.

Ranked number seven on Channel 4‘s list of the “100 Greatest #1 Singles“, the sombre nature of the song unintentionally captured the spirit of the nation as it was released the day after Princess Diana died. In October 2011, NME placed “The Drugs Don’t Work” at number 78 on its list “150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years”. Lead singer Richard Ashcroft wrote the song in early 1995. He briefly mentioned it in an interview at the time, relating it to his drug usage: “There’s a new track I’ve just written … It goes ‘the drugs don’t work, they just make me worse, and I know I’ll see your face again’. That’s how I’m feeling at the moment. They make me worse, man. But I still take ’em. Out of boredom and frustration you turn to something else to escape.” Over the years people have speculated that the song is about someone close to Ashcroft who was dying; however Ashcroft has been reluctant to give further details as he feels that people have their own views, and if he underlined his own interpretation that would be “killing it for people”. He would later explain the song was written about his father who was dying, saying the drugs they were giving him were not improving his condition.

Ashcroft performed the song when the band was touring in support of A Northern Soul. The song was eventually recorded for Urban Hymns. The album’s producer, Chris Potter, later referred to it as both the best song and best vocal he had ever recorded. More information at Wikipedia

All this talk of getting old
It’s getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I’m coming down

And I hope you’re thinking of me
As you lay down on your side
Now the drugs don’t work
They just make you worse
But I know I’ll see your face again

Now the drugs don’t work
They just make you worse
But I know I’ll see your face again

But I know I’m on a losing streak
As I pass down my old street
And if you wanna show, then just let me know
And I’ll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don’t work
They just make you worse
But I know I’ll see your face again

‘Cause baby, ooh, if heaven calls, I’m coming too
Just like you said, you leave my life, I’m better off dead

All this talk of getting old
It’s getting me down my Lord
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I’m coming down

Now the drugs don’t work
They just make you worse
But I know I’ll see your face again

‘Cause baby, ooh, if heaven calls, I’m coming too
Just like you said, you leave my life, I’m better off dead

But if you wanna show, just let me know
And I’ll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don’t work
They just make you worse
But I know I’ll see your face again

Yeah, I know I’ll see your face again
Yeah, I know I’ll see your face again
Yeah, I know I’ll see your face again, oh Lord
Yeah, I know I’ll see your face again, oh Lord

I’m never coming down, I’m never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I’m never coming down, I’m never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I’m never coming down, I’m never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I’m never coming down, I’m never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I’m never coming down, I’m never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Richard Paul Ashcroft

The Drugs Don’t Work lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Ltd., Kobalt Music Services Ltd Kms

Happy Sunday and take care out there ☀️☀️🤗

One-Liner Wednesday: NHS what NHS?

I rang the surgery at 7.59. am, they don’t open the phone lines until 8am. Three attempts then I am through. The blurb then at 8.03 am I am told I am fourteenth in the queue. Not bad it’s been much higher.

Eventually I get through : I give my name and am asked what is the problem.

Me: I have a white raised lump on the top of the ear and a raised mark on my face in front of the opposite ear with the lump.

Receptionist: You can see a paramedic : silence: No appointments today ring at 8am tomorrow.

Me: Can’t you give me an appointment now please even if it’s for tomorrow?

Recptionist: No ring tomorrow .

Me: Can I see a doctor please.

Receptionist : No a paramedic can deal with skin complaints.

Me: Okay so I have to try again tomorrow.

Receptionist: Yes! Is that okay.

Me : Well it will have to be won’t it!

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Song Lyric Sunday: Magical Medication.

Good morning it’s Sunday March 30, 2025 – and our wonderful host Jim Adams has prompted us to find a Song that mentions doctor, cure, heal, treat or drugs.

Now Jim always describes this week’s prompt in detail so I shall leave it to you to read his post for that.

I have chosen The Drugs Don’t Work by The Verve. I absolutely love this song and I believe it is a very candid song about how after a while drugs ( prescription or other) do not work …your body gets used to them …all they do is make you worse. .. I know from personal experience this is true. I was once addicted to prescription drugs Tramadol and Gabapentin after breaking my back the second time…I went through withdrawal. The drs just wanted to keep me on the them for the rest of my life but I didn’t want to be a Zombie! So with the help of a friendly chemist and a supportive and patient family I went through withdrawal..a long , painful, mentally scary process…I made it and will not take opiod painkillers anymore.

I will not go into what withdrawal was like here but I have documented it here on my blog.

So this song means a lot to me.

The Drugs Don’t Work” is a song by English rock band the Verve. The song was written by Richard Ashcroft and is featured on their third studio album, Urban Hymns. It was released on 1 September 1997 as the second single from the album, debuting at number one on the UK singles chart. The beginning of the video shows the band walking down the street, following on from the end of “Bitter Sweet Symphony“. Lead singer Richard Ashcroft wrote the song in early 1995. He briefly mentioned it in an interview at the time, relating it to his drug usage: “There’s a new track I’ve just written … It goes ‘the drugs don’t work, they just make me worse, and I know I’ll see your face again’. That’s how I’m feeling at the moment. They make me worse, man. But I still take ’em. Out of boredom and frustration you turn to something else to escape.”Ashcroft also performed the song when the band was touring in support of A Northern Soul. The song was eventually recorded for Urban Hymns. The album’s producer, Chris Potter, later referred to it as both the best song and best vocal he had ever recorded.

According to Songfacts.com, the drugs in the song were ones given to Richard Ashcroft’s father:
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3344

As always the lyrics are unclear, it is generally believed that composer Richard Ashcroft wrote the song in response to the death of his father. Also it is thought to be influenced by his relationship with his wife. Who knows ? Only Richard Ashcroft.

All this talk of getting old
It’s getting me down, my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I’m coming down

And I hope you’re thinking of me
As you lay down on your side
Now the drugs don’t work
They just make you worse but I know I’ll see your face again

Now the drugs don’t work
They just make you worse
But I know I’ll see your face again

But I know I’m on a losing streak
As I pass down by your street
And if you wanna show, then just let me know
And I’ll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don’t work
They just make you worse
But I know I’ll see your face again

‘Cause baby, oh
If heaven falls, I’m coming too
Just like you said
You leave my life, I’m better off dead

All this talk of getting old
It’s getting me down, my Lord
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I’m coming down

Now the drugs don’t work
They just make you worse but I know I’ll see your face again

‘Cause baby, oh
If heaven falls, I’m coming too
Just like you said
You leave my life, I’m better off dead
But if you wanna show
Then just let me know and I’ll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don’t work
They just make you worse but I know I’ll see your face again

Yeah, I know I’ll see your face again
Yeah, I know I’ll see your face again
Yeah, I know I’ll see your face again, oh, Lord
Yeah, I know I’ll see your face again, oh, Lord
I’m never coming down now, I’m never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I’m never coming down now, I’m never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I’m never coming down now, I’m never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I’m never coming down now, I’m never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I’m never coming down now, I’m never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more, no more

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Richard Paul Ashcroft

The Drugs Don’t Work lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Ltd., Kobalt Music Services Ltd Kms

That’s it for today… But I shall just add a funny aside I remember my middle son telling me he and a few friends were off to Manchester to see Richard Ashcroft . I replied, absentmindedly, “Oh! Is he an old school friend” his reply was a stunned silence… Then ..”No mum”

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE 💜💜

Part of Song Lyric Sunday

One-Liner Wednesday. Hold that shot!

Poor Linda has had a really nasty experience finding out she is allergic to an antibiotic her dentist gave her while she is recovering from wisdom tooth surgery. As if that isn’t enough to cope with!

I can empathise with Linds. I am allergic to five antibiotics and twice I have had Drs and Pharmacists say to me.

” Try not to be allergic to anymore antibiotics or we won’t be able to give you anything!”

you don’t say???.

This is part of LindaGHill’s One-Liner Wednesday.

Mental Health Awareness Week.

It’s Mental health awareness week this week and Clive at Take it Easy is an advocate for this cause each year having read his posts I am joining him today to highlight the plight of people suffering. Please read Clive’s post the link is above.

It Hurts.

Shoe laces taken

All you know, shaken

Not a razor or knife in sight

Still the pain sears through the night.

Corridors full of eternal walkers

Going nowhere, watched by stalkers.

Screams erupt so do tussles

Held down by ‘staff ‘ with muscles.

Nothing stops the pain NOTHING

Smile at family don’t let them see the bluffing.

It hurts, it hurts you needs to bleed

A sacrifice to the demon’s seed.

Doors slam, locks turn

Fears grow behind doors souls burn

Help me please help me

Blind eyes don’t see…………

Shoe laces taken

All you know, shaken

Not a razor or knife in sight

Still the pain sears through the night.

********

Nerves

Taught
Stressed out
On the edge
Coiled like a spring
Cracks starting to show
Just ready to combust
Primal scream is welling up
Had enough, can't take anymore
Can't stand still my brain is exploding
Need flight, take to my heels, I am empty.

We cannot ignore this Mental health is the poor relation in the NHS.

Sad Lost Dolls.

Yes she is a beautiful child she has that look of innocence that drives men wild. She could make a fortune it is true but is it really the right thing to do.

She will love it all the fuss, the travel the treats the complements from all she meets. There is a future in photo modelling for her she has that presence that maked all who see her stare.

What if she falls into the wrong hands there’s plenty out there who will misuse her beauty plenty who have nasty plans. No she will be fine no harm will come to this child of mine.

“Mummy , mummy can I go and play?” no my sweet not today. “Please mummy I want my friends to stay!” no you have work to do, send them away. “Please mum can I go to school I want to be with people my age I want to learn and play the fool.” “No we have a teacher for you, there are adverts and film work for you to do.”

“Why can’t I have friends around that are my age I don’t the like photographers they rant and rage.” ‘No I told you you are special your very precious. You don’t have time to skip and play face it sweetie your looks won’t last and you’ll be too tall one day!”

We should get a couple more years fame at this rate we are clawing in the money she has time to be young later she can wait. Sadly that’s not true her childhood robbed and she becomes sad and blue.

Slowly all her ties get cut her friends grow few she is neither child nor adult too. The lines of age soon get blurred is she thirteen or twenty three and a third?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another form of abuse not quite so obvious but just as dangerous. The parents live their dreams and missed opportunities through their children. Not all but some, child models, child actors, child beauty queens loose their childhoods. They feel no worth unless they are being complimented . They are not balanced, being deprived of growing up through a childhood. Basically they are used as much as if they have been sold in to slavery. Sad little lost dolls. A poem for Child Abuse Month.

So Sorry Jamie.

Another poem for Awareness of Child Abuse Month.

photo http://latestpoetryzone.blogspot.co.uk/

Jamie has had enough he is not going to school today.
He is leaving home and running away. He has had enough of what mum’s new boyfriend wants him to do.
And if home were not bad enough he is the butt of the jokes at school.

Jamie has had enough of footsteps up to his attic room.
Waking up at night to find the guy kneeling over him in the gloom.
He tried to lock his door but the key got mislaid
He tried telling mum but she couldn’t be swayed.

Jamie’s tired of finding excuses not to go home
He’d rather stay in town,
Even if it’s raining.
The teachers are not listening to what he’s trying to say
They just dock him points because he is late each day.
Jamie’s friends can’t understand why he no longer wants them round
They don’t realize he does not want that bloke taking them down.

So Jamie heading off this bright September morn
Hoping he can find somewhere to sleep that’s dry and warm.
Where is he going what’s he to do.
There must be some way to help him Someone who can see him through. There are supposed to be places and people to help out …………
So why has poor Jamie been so sadly, left out.

So sorry Jamie.

One liner Wednesday. Scary four months.

Hi ….it’s been a helter-skelter ride from suspicious mass to the all clear 🤣🤣🤣 physio and pain management to follow. Four months of stress.

Part of LindaGHill’s One-Liner Wednesday.

I want more 💜

No one would believe.

This is a poem , written years ago and revamped today.

No one would believe you they would say it is not true
He is such a sweetie look at the lovely gifts he gets you.
Presents mean nothing when you have lost the will to cope
It just makes you ill and robs you of hope

The door slams, BANG, it is amazing it is still on its’ hinges
A little peace for you now, until his return gives you the cringes

You have no bruises not a cut or scratch to show
You’re trod on and beaten down yet no one would know.

His way or no way but that won’t be seen.
There’s never a witness when he’s being mean.
His darker side is rarely shown
No all of that is kept private at home.

You chat on the phone and he is listening in,
You hope nothing has been said that he can decide is a sin.
After you end the shouting will start
It’s all your fault as he rips out your heart.

Watch what you wear that could start a fight
And you know you want it to go well tonight
Make sure you wear the right things His presents, the necklace the rings.

No one would believe you, they would say it is not true
He is such a sweetie and look at the lovely gifts he gets you.
Presents mean nothing when you’ve lost the will to cope,
It all just makes you so ill and robs you of hope.

Watch what you say while you are out he’ll use it against you later no doubt. Smile while he belittles you in front of your friends
He says it all jest but when does it end .

Don’t say anything that might make him look silly or wrong
You will pay for it all night long.
Walking on eggshell when something you look forward to is near
Don’t upset him or you will miss out my dear.

You’re wrong if you’re thin and you’er wrong if youyr fat .
No matter how hard you work in the order of things you come after the cat.

W3 Prompt #81: Wea’ve Written Weekly

I. The prompt poem:

‘Until Spring’, a tanka series by Jennifer Russo

II. Jennifer’s prompt guidelines ( Jennifer’s words)

As days grow shorter in the northern hemisphere, I find myself going to bed a bit earlier and rising a bit later. More time for dreaming! This week’s prompt is to write a “lento” on the topic of dreams. This could be about dreams themselves, the act of dreaming, the dreamer or a dreamlike quality.

Poems to inspire you

‘My Little Dreams’ by Georgia Douglas Johnson (1880 – 1966)
‘Dreams’ by Langston Hughes (1901 – 1967)

Lento?

Two quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a fixed rhyme scheme of abcb, defe, as the 2^nd and 4^th lines of each stanza must rhyme;
All the FIRST words of each verse should rhyme; click HERE for an example.

III. Submit: Click on ‘Mister Linky’ On David’s W3 poem page. you will see a small rectangular graphic with the words ‘Mr Linky’. Click on that to submit.

Night Horrors

image source

When sleep deserts you with reason on its heels.
Panic moves in and is far from kind.
Sanity flees, taking sense in its path.
Like a car crash is your shattered mind.

Darkness creeps and confusion rules
You can smell the fear like a dirty drain.
Open a window and breathe in the night
Accept it now you can’t escape the pain

Look up to the stars they are laughing .
They know night horrors are nothing new
The moon and the stars burn with ancient light
Oblivious of your terror they ignore you.

The night is an abandoned tunnel damp and dark.
Behind you the breath of evil on your skin
You climb towards a light there is no rest.
In truth the chance of escape is thin

Where is the comfort where is the hope.
When will there be an end to this infernal night.
Are you lost in this living hell
Will awakening bring freedom from your plight.