LSD

Album: At.Long.Last.A$AP (2015)
Charted: 62
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Asked about the "Baby I'm just rappin' to this LSD" lyric by Billboard magazine, A$AP Rocky replied: "It helps me cope with life. I've been doing this stuff since I got into the industry. People are scared to talk about it."
  • The psychedelic video was filmed in a neon-drenched Tokyo and directed by Dexter Navy, who also shot Only Real's "Yesterdays" clip. The visual features a high Rocky on a hallucinogenic journey out on the town.
  • LSD is the shorter name for a drug called Lysergic acid diethylamide, which causes people who take it to witness illusions. It is often referred to by the slang name acid. The drug was discovered by chance in 1943 when Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist, accidentally consumed it during medicinal research. He notoriously experienced its disorientating effect when riding his bicycle through the streets of Basle.

    During the Cold War, the American military and the CIA experimented with the drug (sometimes on uninformed subjects) to see whether it would be an aid in interrogation. It wasn't.

    LSD became the favoured psychedelic drug among the young in the 1960s, prompted by Harvard psychology professor, Timothy Leary, whose slogan about LSD: "Turn on, tune in, drop out"" was adopted by the hippie movement. A number of famous rock bands, including the Beatles became known for their use of LSD, and a new genre, "acid rock," was born from the fad.

    Some casual users began to experience side effects, such as "flashbacks" and psychotic symptoms and signs of depression and instability were seen. Due to the spread of LSD, the United States government banned the drug in 1967. Other countries soon followed.
  • According to A$AP Rocky 'LSD' stands for 'Love, sex, dreams."
  • The song contains a sample of "Ode To Billie Joe" as performed by jazz alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."