Del Lords – When The Drugs Kick In

This song won me over with the intro. Such a wonderful melody with the guitar weaving in and out. Of course, the title got me to listen. I’ve covered one of their songs before called How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?

They were formed in the early ’80s by Scott Kempner of  New York punk group the Dictators. They were in the ’70s new wave scene, which the band never quite fit into. Kempner gathered together  Eric Ambel of Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, drummer Frank Funero (now with Cracker), and bassist Manny Caiati and set out as The Del-Lords.

They made 4 studio albums from 1984 to 1990. In 2010, they reunited and played gigs for the first time in 20 years. They released an album called Elvis Club in 2013, and this song came off that album.

The Del Lords were always one of those bands who seemed to fall through the cracks, too rock for the roots crowd, too straight ahead for the punks, too Bronx for Nashville. But their records had heart. They didn’t try to change. Elvis Club picks right up where they left off. Scott Kempner wrote this song and most of the songs on the album. 

This song is pure Americana, halfway between an E Street shuffle sound and a Ramones bar fight. It doesn’t ask for your pity or your praise. This one feels like the walk home from a party that went a little too sideways. But you would be happy to do it again. 

When The Drugs Kick In

I was right in the middle of a big idea(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)I forgot everything right then and there(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)for the last year or so that’s how it’s been(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)I’ve tried and I’ve tried but the drugs always win(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)

when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick inHere I go, here I go, here I go again(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)Goin’ down I know, but I’m goin’ down slow(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)When the drugsKick in

I had this dream, yeah, I used to dream(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)I’d leave no sound unheard, no sight unseen(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)But I heard lies and deception, saw heartbreak and rejection(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)Now I’m an uncast vote in a fixed election(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)When the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in

Here I go, here I go, here I go again(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)I’m goin’ down I know, but I’m goin’ down slow(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)When the drugsKick in

I’m a jet plane baby, movin’ coast to coastI’m a part time lover, I’m a full time ghostAnd the tunnel of love is the tunnel of lifeAnd I leave on the lights when I go to sleep at nightWhen the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in

Here I go, here I go, here I go again(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)I’m goin’ down I know, but I’m goin’ down slow(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)When the drugsKick inWhen the drugsKick in(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

39 thoughts on “Del Lords – When The Drugs Kick In”

  1. The riff (chords) closing the intro sound great. When they reappear closing the chorus’ (The last of – When the Drugs / Kick in) are my favourite parts of the song. I hear a bit of Lou Reed in the live vocals too. Enjoyed the heck out of this.

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  2. Max, are you into drugs? Do we need to have a talk? 😂

    That intro hooks you right away to “When The Drugs Kick In,” a neat song. “I’ve tried and I’ve tried but the drugs always win” is a great line, which sadly seems to ring very true, based on accounts I’ve read.

    I feel fortunate I never became addicted to any substances. I’m convinced it can happen much more easily than many folks think. Heck, a script to an opioid painkiller can get you hooked on this s..t!

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    1. NO not yet but the way work is going…hmmm LOL
      Yea that title alone will get you to listen! I have had them before because of slipped discs and kidney stones but that was a while ago.

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      1. (Work will do it- Certain bone-headed bosses get you reaching for the anti-depressants. Remember, don’t snatch at the child proof fastener, keep calm and prise it off. Breath deep. You can do this!)

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      2. I will take some deep breaths! I have to watch my mouth at times..because I bite back sometimes…but I know them so well that I can get by with a lot….but I don’t push it.

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  4. Pingback: Del Lords – When The Drugs Kick In – MobsterTiger

  6. More of a fun upbeat vibe than I was expecting. Like Observationblogger suggested, a bit like Lou Reed…if the drugs kicking in for him were uppers! That 2000s song ‘Til I got high’ might have been inspired by it.

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  7. Back to the dirt Max. Something very rock n roll about this one. Like they wrote it on the spot. Love it. When we get together lets throw a few people together and do this one. I’ll play the tambourine (You can unplug me if you want)

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  8. Nice sound. I had a cassette of the one that had “How Can A Poor Man…” on it. I bought it without knowing anything about them because I had heard Ry Cooder do a version of that song. Haven’t really kept up with them since. That tape went to crap too!

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    1. Yea went through so many tapes. I would buy them second hand at a used record store. They have some great sounding songs…I have really liked what I’ve heard…this one I like the intro.

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    1. Yea I like Ry Cooder’s version of that song a lot….well about everything he does.
      This band is a lot of fun and doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

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      1. Likewise. The man is a huge talent.

        I guessed that about these guys, but that doesn’t forgive them stomping all over a meaningful song like that 🤣

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      7. I found them about 15 years ago via the now defunct Noisetrade site, where they were giving their ‘seasons’ albums for free. Been a fan ever since.

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  10. A good unpretentious fun times song. Very nice description of the feelings you get from it, like that ‘walk home from a party that went a little sideways, but you’d do it again.’ That nails it perfectly.

    Well, mama told ya not to go…

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    1. Mama is no fun…but she is usually right! Sorry I’m late today… but thanks for giving it a try. This is what we were talking about last night…but I believe it’s a worthy song.

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