SLS: The Devil That I Revel In

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For a second week we are indebted to the lovely Nancy, of the Elephant’s Trunk (aka The Sicilian Storyteller) for our theme for Song Lyric Sunday. Her suggestion is that we play a song related to drugs, chemical substances, prescription medications, alcohol, or tobacco: Jim’s post tells us more. I have chosen two tunes to play you, one in the prescription medications category and one involving alcohol, with a side helping of tobacco in the video (if you can spot it).

I have previously played several songs by my first act but not this one. I love her voice and her songwriting, so when I saw the theme I knew immediately that she would be my first choice:

Noah Cyrus, with Mr Percocet. And for the lyrics I extend my usual invitation to you to visit genius.com. If you don’t know what Percocet is, this AI overview response on a Google search tells you all you need to know to give you the background to the song:

Percocet is a prescription medication combining oxycodone (an opioid) and acetaminophen (paracetamol), used to treat moderate to severe pain. It works by changing how the brain responds to pain and by reducing its intensity. It is highly addictive and carries risks of respiratory depression, liver damage, and overdose.

 

Get the idea? The drug has turned the man she loves into a different person – a Jekyll and Hyde character – and she is in a dilemma about whether she should leave him or stay. I have never had the misfortune to be in love with an addict but I worked with our services that provided treatment for them in my NHS days, and came across many stories of similar cases. Strong prescription drugs can be very addictive and damaging.

At the risk of repeating what I have told you before, Noah is the youngest daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus, who is no doubt to blame for her being given what I thought was a boy’s name. You may have heard of one of her older sisters, Miley  (clearly, normal names aren’t a thing in that family!). The song was co-written by Noah with PJ Harding, Sarah Hudson and Jason Evigan, and appeared on Noah’s first album, The Hardest Part, which was released in September 2022 and reached #13 in the US Heatseekers chart, #4 in UK Country Albums and also #5 in the UK Americana listings. I love her delicate vocal style, which is, I think, very effective in delivering heartfelt lyrics like these. And the video is good, too.

 

 

And now for something completely different, as Mr Python used to say, with my second choice for today’s theme:

A band that may be new to you, Dr Feelgood, with Milk and Alcohol. And genius.com helps again with the lyrics.

I have played this one before for Tuesday Tunes but not previously for SLS, so I’m guessing that readers across the pond may not have heard of the band before. Dr Feelgood were formed in 1971 in Canvey Island, Essex. Their two main original members were Lee Brilleaux, seen on vocals here, and guitarist Wilko Johnson, who had left the band by the time Milk And Alcohol came out, and then joined Ian Dury and the Blockheads. This song was co-written by Nick Lowe and John ‘Gypie’ Mayo, who replaced Wilko on lead guitar and is the provider of the great riffs you can hear. It reportedly retells Nick’s 1970s experiences drinking one too many Kahlúa-milk drinks at or after a United States concert by bluesman John Lee Hooker – a dodgy experience made into a great song.

Dr Feelgood were known as a pub rock band, and were very popular around Essex and London. I remember seeing them one evening after work, and they were huge fun: one of the rowdiest gigs I’ve ever been to. But I managed to leave the venue still in possession of my briefcase, which I regarded as quite an achievement! This was released as a single in January 1979 and made the top forty straightaway, eventually peaking at #9 – their only top ten entry, though they had several others in the lower reaches of the charts. It had been included on their album Private Practice, which came out in September 1978 and made #41 in the UK Albums chart. They were fun, and I enjoy a wave of nostalgia whenever I hear this one.

That’s my twofer for today, and I hope you enjoyed two rather different songs. My thanks as always to Jim for hosting the event and on this occasion to Nancy for a great theme suggestion. I’ll see you again for a rather special (for me) Tuesday Tunes. Take care 😊

55 thoughts on “SLS: The Devil That I Revel In”

  1. This Song Lyric Sunday entry stays grounded in the prompt without straining for novelty. Choosing Noah Cyrus’s “Mr Percocet” alongside Dr Feelgood’s “Milk and Alcohol” creates a quiet contrast: one a contemporary, introspective portrait of prescription opioid entanglement, the other a brisk pub-rock retelling of an alcohol-fuelled night. The personal notes – NHS experience with addicts for the first, a rowdy live memory for the second – give the selections weight without turning confessional.

    What registers most is the plain appreciation of craft: Cyrus’s delicate vocal delivery suiting the heartache of the lyrics, and Gypie Mayo’s riffs driving the Dr Feelgood track. No overstatement, just honest recognition of how the songs land. The post avoids romanticising the substances themselves, which keeps the reflection clear-eyed rather than performative.

    It adds another modest thread to the long-running series, one that values lived connection to the material over spectacle.

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  2. Hi Clive – great post and in the 90’s – some of my friends and I always had white russions (or just Kalhua and milk) and so that Milk and Alcohol song was super fun to learn about

    Mr Percocet song was an interesting song to break down with lyrics and I think we had a neighbor (back in the day) who took them for pain – but I did not remember it until I read the post…

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  7. Mr. Percocet: “you’re only nice when you’re high” (paraphrasing) living with an addict is just like that. My ex was addicted to potent marijuana, even though they say weed isn’t addictive. Didn’t know Miley had a singing sister. I hope this isn’t based on her own life. Nobody deserves that.

    The second song: I’m a big fan of creme licquers (sp?) on the rocks, but to sip only. I can see why guzzling them would make you sick. I like the sound of this band.

    Two good choices, Clive!

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    • I’m sorry to hear that, can’t have been easy for you.

      Noah is much less famous but is much more to my taste. I’m guessing that this song may be based on reality but as there are four writers the question remains as to whose.

      Dr Feelgood were great at their peak. They are still going: though none of the original members are still there the current lineup has played in the band for many years. Great fun to see play live.

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  8. Hi Clive, I enjoyed the Noah Cyrus song. I hadn’t heard it before and I’m not familiar with her, but I certainly see the family resemblance. I also thought Noah was a boy’s name! I also remember Dr Feelgood! That took me back many years to East London and Essex. ☺️

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    • Hi Christine, I’m glad you liked Noah. To my mind she is the most talented of her family, and I love her voice. Weird name, though!

      Dr Feelgood were probably best seen live, as I did. They put on a great show.

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  9. The Dr. Feelgood song was really good, and new to me. I liked his voice! At first I though you’d chosen Motley Crue’s Dr. Feelgood song. haha … The first song is good, too. I’ve heard a few of her songs. I’m sure there must be people who have that choice to make, stay or leave. That said, the drug Percocet (or Percodan?) I’ve taken before. The dentist after wisdom tooth surgery prescribed them. I called it ‘the ‘good stuff’ because whew – feeling good! And I can see how a perso n could become addicted to it. I only took it for a couple of days.

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    • I’m glad you liked them both. I don’t know the Motley Crue one, though – I was staying loyal to a UK band who went under the radar for many. They were best as a live act, as I can testify.

      For me, Noah is far better than her big sister. Glad you didn’t become addicted to- it can be easy to fall into the trap!

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  11. I love Noah‘s voice and this is a great song with great lyrics 🙌 and thanks for your second track Clive I was hoping someone would feature this (I suspected it would probably be a Brit!) I nearly did – it’s a classic from Dr Feelgood – loved your selection this week 😃

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  15. Love Noah and her pairings with PJ Harding have always been excellent. She’s a talented young woman who brings a lot to the table. “Dr Feelgood” is an old familiar term but I did not know this group or their song, which I enjoyed a lot. Two very different and cool songs, Clive. Thanks for the tunes and your gracious comments. 😊

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    • Noah and PJ have made some lovely records, haven’t they. Both of their EPs are superb. I’m pleased you liked this and enjoyed your introduction to Dr Feelgood.

      You’re very welcome on the comment 👍

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  16. A great post Clive and Milk and Alcohol is such an iconic song. Dr feel good is such a great group!

    As for Noah Cyrus what a beautiful voice . A great song very near the knuckle for me . .. made bearable by her voice and honesty.Two perfect choices 💜

    .

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  17. I have heard of Noah Cyrus but never heard her sing. She has a pleasing voice, and I did like the song. The second cut was more to my liking. You were right they were a new band to me- and I thank you for the introduction!

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