1 (edited by mhebert 2007-06-20 03:21:35)

Topic: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

A few weeks ago on a local radio station, a question was asked. What are the best songs to listen to stoned? Now, I'm NOT condoning the use of drugs, yet when I was younger I would induldge in the ''Devils Weed''. Certain songs just went hand in hand with the moment. The type of songs you would listen to with headphones on, in the dark, laying on the floor with no distractions. Music that even sober, just makes you feel like floating on air.
Some of my favs:

Child in Time- Deep Purple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KnTAdfdcWI

Shine on You Crazy Dimond - Pink Floyd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyqgjCKm … mp;search=

Toccata und fugue - Bach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pY08e_t … mp;search=

The Great Gig in The Sky - Pink Floyd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXkVpifmxUg


There are many more. What are your Favs?

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket babe

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

As a forum moderator, I am very leery of this topic since the site and forum are used by persons of all ages.  Although you state you are NOT advocating drug use, it is still the sort of subject that could easily be percieved as inappropriate for younger users.

On the one hand, I do not want to squelch discussion - but on the other hand, the long-range interests of the forum and the site are not well-served by allowing a discussion to focus around illegal and unhealthful activities.

The fact is drugs make you stupid.  Using drugs is both illegal and illogical.  Buying illegal drugs pumps money into criminal enterprises.  These criminal enterprises commit acts of violence to establish and maintain their distribution channels.

So, as a Moderator I am presented with a dilemma here - let this discussion continue, or lop it off . . . James McCormick

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

3 (edited by mhebert 2007-06-20 19:41:57)

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

I understand your concerns James, as an alcoholic that has been sober for 18 years the one thing I do know is that education is the only way to stop any excesses. If people cannot express themselves and teach the younger generation from our own mistakes, they are sure to make them themselves. Drug use is not a healthy choice. Yet the only way people can make choices is through knowledge. As a parent with three kids ( two teenagers ) I have found that my kids made very wise choices because we have been honest with our kids. We also made sure that they are educated about drug use. When my oldest daughter mentioned that she wanted to try we had a good discussion about all the issues. Many of her friends are users and any responsable adult will know that you cannot shelter your kids from all dangers. We can speak from experience and explain that as teens we did not have the knowledge that is avalible to us at the present. Had we known more about the dangers we were facing .... and now the dangers are far greater then in the past... perhaps we would have made different choices. I'm very proud as a parent that my daughter has chosen not to use and that she made the choice on her own. We all know that kids that make up their own minds tend to stick to their decisions. Had I approched the subject with the same discourse that you used I know that I would have sent my daughter straight over to try.

The purpose of the posting was not to lure anyone into drug use, nor was it to glorify the subject. I just wanted to share a kind of sense-recall that I'm sure many of us have experienced.  For many of us it was a whole part of the music scene at the time. Also it was part and parcel with a whole generation , a little before my time, which brought about great social changes. Many of those changes brought down repressive laws that hindered free speech and the right to express ourselves.  Music was banned, books were burned, people were jailed because of their beliefs. All theses changes were brought about because people spoke out and educated others.

As you are a moderator here and have the last word, I leave it in your hands, I have said my part and do hope that others will share their feelings about the subject. I respect all opinions, as those opinions are truely what make us unique.

Michel Hebert

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket babe

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

Michel, I appreciate the prompt and articulate response to my stated concerns.  I am also a member of the generation who 'learned the hard way' that drugs are dangerous and deadly.

I have observed friends whose sharp young minds were dulled beyond repair by narcotics.  I know people who have done incredibly stupid things, and are now either dead or suffering dire consequences.  I have seen promising individuals fall by the wayside and become hopelessly lost in a labyrinth of dope and pills and booze.

I agree strongly with you that the best way to address the problem is through accurate information delivered in a timely manner (education).  People who are young and full of hormones feel invincible and immune from all harm.

Luckily, at one point in my life I realized that it was time to put away childish things and get serious about making the world a better place.  People who are dopers don't make the world a better place.

As Nick Lowe (or more famously Elvis Costello) put it, "What's so funny about peace, love, and understanding?"  For me the answer is "Nothing - those are all wonderful goals."  People who are brain-addled by drug usage cannot do anything substantive to increase the 'peace, love, and understanding'.
James

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

James, I agree with you. Too many people have been lost because of all types of excess. Some were in my very close circle of friends and family. It will be interesting to hear from others.
As for the underaged musicians on this site I do truely hope that their parents check where they go on the internet. They have access to much worse then this disscussion. Thankfully there are people like you giving their time moderating such top rate websites such as this one.
"It takes a whole village to raise a child" Theses days the village is much larger then anyone could have imagined in the past.
Keep up the good work!
Michel

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket babe

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

Hi M hebert,

I would like to take all my hats off to you for being dry so long! Such strength every day for 18 years tells me more about The kind of Man you Are , Then Music and weed?.

My work takes me 3 times a year to work in drugs rehab.. To see the remmnants of what drugs does to the human form is abominable! Beautiful young people with legs and arms removed if there lucky enough to survive?
not to mention what is does to the mind?

Their new born babies being injected with valium to help them with withdrawl
symptoms!  To me the saddest of all is watching Grandparents taking on the responsibility of their dead childrens Children! They love their grandchildren,but even these kids are so traumatised by the enviroment they have been in, they are also in rehab for mental instability!

I once had a friend who when home on holidays called to visit.  When he arrived i knew he was stoned... Eventually he fell asleep, and this yellow foam started to seep first and then belch from his mouth. It was horrific! I called the Medics, but i also brought my sons to see this sight! They recoiled in horror! I explained what i thought was happening because of drugs?  They never forgot this!
Every kid should be shown this side of drug addiction, the worse possible sights! to get the message home...

I dont for one minute think you were condoning drugs!

  Your local radio station, should dismiss the person who broadcast this and the admin who allowed it!
Now in case you think im perfect, i have indulged in cigerette smoking and alcohol..I have been known to drink far to much at times { Wrong i Know}
I think the difference being, I can take it or leave it? Im not bothered if i dont indulge? I do know this" MY BRAIN IS NOT MINE WHEN I DO"  Dulled senses and indifference? now who wants to live like that all the time ?
To answer your question about music taking you places?  "Myself without any Altering substances"? .
Is ..  Cavatina " First heard in the early Seventies!
Anything by the Walker Brothers" But In particular "Ebb Tide"
Chopin,   Polonaises.
More Recent,  REM..
Will Young.  Damien Rice,  and many more!

So thank you M hebert for your post and the honesty of same, also to Admin for the Equality of the same Honesty..

Go Maire Tú   [ May you live long }

Old Doll.

Why Blend in with the Crowd ? When you were made to stand out !

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

James,
I'm glad that you let this thread continue.  Personally, I feel that the "hey I'm a teenager are there any other teenager's on this site, if so instant message or email me" posts are probably more dangerous than this one.  Watch one of those to catch an online predator news shows if you don't know what I mean.  For good or bad those of us who are a little bit older (I'm 40) have lived our lives and had experiences that have made us who we are today.  I did not for one second think that mhebert or chordie was condoning the use of drugs.  I'll even spare you my views on lives and health ruined from legal alcohol and tobacco compared to the "Devil's Weed"and simply answer the question:
almost anything by the Doors.

EF

8 (edited by badeye 2007-06-22 20:54:52)

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

I think MHeberts post is ok too. There has been more damage from legal alcohol than "Devils Weed" or 'Gods Herb'
as I like to call it.Hard drugs are a bad scene.Lots of lives wasted and fallen through the cracks from hard drug use and is a drain on the system. I found out at an early age what hard drugs can do. A friend of mine overdosed and didn't make it.It was a sad day and I chose then my path not to do hard drugs. I always tell my friends that SPEED KILLS.


...Badeye.

one caper after another

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

Badeye, I agree that alcohol can also be harmful.  As an educatory at major university, I see the same pageant played out every semester - too much partying (be it drugs or alcohol or both) that lead to academic and personal problems.

In these parts, most of the students come from small communities deep in the 'Bible Belt' and the only experience they have with alcohol is 'getting drunk'.  They are unfamiliar with the idea that one can enjoy 'a' beer or 'a' glass of wine with a meal.  For them, having a drink only means binge drinking followed by massive hangovers.

Everybody has alot to learn in life.  Some learn by observing.  Some only learn by doing.  Some seem to never learn at all.  Michel's point that each person needs to make informed judgements is very true.

Personally, I realize now that I could have benefitted far more from my college experience had I not been so determined to be a party animal.  I eventually took a realistic perspective and decided that I would spend my time and energy being a productive human being rather than a self-deluded stoner.  James

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

10 (edited by badeye 2007-06-22 23:52:14)

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

Hey James maybe any young folks reading this thread will heed the message that hard drugs are bad. Excess alcohol leeds to a life of misery. Remember SPEED KILLS.

Take Care...Badeye.

one caper after another

11 (edited by Old Doll 2007-06-23 07:43:50)

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

James
I so agree with a lot of what you said but? Have our Children no Methodology to life? No  Compas Focus?  Their attitude seems to be " if i dont have everything now, i dont want to live?
We had 3 young Men last week, in a small town of maybe one thousand! who died together it seems Planned? well reported in the Media here!  In So called "Celtic Tiger Ireland" Where my Son has just spent half a million Euro on a house? not because  he wanted too, because He had too?
Our New Goverment have abolished Stamp Duty? for first time buyers?  "20,000 Euro in My sons case?  And we are supposed to be Dancing on the streets with joy?
Their Celtic Tiger has our Kids around the throat and is slowly but surly squeesing the living life out of them !  In this Land of so called Plenty? We have lost so much in the simple values of life and how precious life is! with or without money? This Generation dont go out to have a drink and socialise? They go out to get wasted?  Why? Are they feelling Stresed, Unloved, or just lost?  Any addiction is a replacement nourishment for a need that is not being met within us?   Our Time with our Kids  should Really  be spent  listening to them ,  Sharing our Time with them.  For Gods sake Talk to our Children, They need to know They are important enough to us  to listen too!  So many Questions?  " Is it  To much disposable income? or not enough Parental Guidence?
  I hate this throw away society that we live in as it now includes our Young People! How awfully Sad That is? I dont know the answers! I Wish i did?. But aleast discussions like this bring it to the fore, So Thank You for This  MHebert and
Admin!

Goodnight all.
Old Doll.

Why Blend in with the Crowd ? When you were made to stand out !

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

I just love discussions like this one. We have forgotten to mention other addictions such as gambling & sex, eating disorders, shop-a-holics, work-a-holics. One thing that I find all addicts share is an obsessive personality. The trick is to channel it in a positive manner. Life is too short not to stop to smell the roses.

Old Doll, our children are a product of the society that we created. I agree that they ''Want it all now'' but just look back to the 80's and the attitude that life was all about making money. What of the pressure to go to university. University is not for everyone, yet society keeps telling students that if they are to be sucsessfull they must finish at least a bachlors. Think of the pressure on those that struggle through highschool. The college I went to was known for catering to a very affluent student body. Unfortunately they also had the highest rate of suicide compared to other schools. Many of these kids parents had no time to give to them, therefore they bought them off. I believe that the best gift I can give my children is my time and attention.

Brad I agree with you Speed does kill and really fast at that.


Michel

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket babe

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

"Not to touch the earth" by the doors is a very trippy song with or without outside help. My old band had a song I'd written called "Paradise". I think I may have posted it in the songwriting. Anyway, Sometimes, (again with or without) when we would perform it on stage, I would get completely lost in the song. Sometimes, The song would go over 9 minutes because I would forget I was on stage and the music would go on until I came back and sang the last verse.
As far as drugs go... If you did them and quit, you are smart. If you never did them you are brilliant. If you are still doing them, I hope you wise up before you end up like me realizing you are not on stage, you're in biology class or driving down the highway. Once you do them (at least the ones I did) you never think the same again and thats not always a groovy tuned in thing.
Thanx to James for allowing the thread to continue and thanx to everyone for your mature approach to a risky subject.

"Nobody paints by ear so why would I play guitar by sight?" hmm

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

Agreed The Doors had some real trippy music altered or not.
I'm a junkie without an addiction. JUST MUSIC.Seems I'm addicted to my guitar and it's all good. I smoked ciggeretts
{tobbaco] for 25 years when i guit cold turkey my guitar was my saviour. Its been 8 months since my last ciggerett and I feel great with lots of energy. Hey tobbaco kills slowly.I wrote the pros and cons of smoking and found the con list full. the pro side empty. Probably started in high school because it was cool and all the other kids were doing it. Its very addictive.Anyway enough rambling.

Have a great day Chordies....Badeye.

one caper after another

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

Yep, have to agree with most of what has been posted. I've seen good friends fall by the wayside from drug addiction.
Being from (what was known as ) The Chemical Generation, the Rave scene, myself and my friends were all into pills, dope, powder and potions of one type or the other. Sadly two lost the battle for good and are no longer here, a couple have gave up on the battle and are hoplesley addicted, one went through rehab and is now doing so well for himself it would make you weep too think about where he once was. Thankfully the majority of us treated it as a stage in life we were passing through and came through relatively unscathed. Although one or two still have what I would term a 'social addiction' too drugs, i.e they could easily go without but choose not to.

Good idea to let the thread run though, if one person reading through the posts takes on board that the HIGH is not worth all the LOWS then it will have served a purpose.
In saying that, I'm a great believer in 'it's my body, I'll do what I want with it'. But, speaking from the experience of years of drug and alcohol missuse, I can say with great conviction, you can do so much more with your body and mind when you're straight. smile

Craig.

Blind acceptance is a sign, of stupid fools who stand in line.  John Lydon.

'Mod' is a shorter word for 'young, beautiful and stupid' - we've all been there." - Pete Townshend.

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

Personally, I never saw the attraction to drugs.
I tried weed and hash as a teenager quite a few years ago and all they did for me was make me sleepy and paranoid.
I know a lot of people who, as adults, still partake recreationally and at least one who says he is much more creative under the influence, but I've seen his stuff and he's kidding himself.
Dope and alcohol both seem to have the effect of making you *think* you are saying something profound, writing something insightful or drawing something incredibly unique, (and that you're a great dancer as far as that goes) but I think that anyone who is honest with themselves and looks at their "chemically inspired" creations will recognise most of it for what it truly is.
A special piece of art, be it music, prose or visual, will allow you to perceive it in new ways by itself and does not require alterred thought processes to achieve that result.
So, perhaps I could suggest a song or two that has expanded my horizons simply by it's content or construction....Pink Floyd's Dark Side and Wish You Were Here albums, the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour and Sgt. Pepper's, Yes's Close to the Edge and Relayer albums, REM's Automatic for the People and Fiona Apple's When the Pawn.....
The beauty of all of those albums, for me anyway, is that virtually every entry stands up well alone or in conjunction with the other pieces on the program and each of them is unique and original in so many ways that they remain as vital and relevant after as much as forty years as they were the day they were released.
Oh, and Dope is for Dopes.
Tunedeaf

Re: Songs to listen to in ''Altered States''

Drugs are terrible. They are the weapon of mass destruction. Unfortunatley without them we would never have such a great history of muscians & artists. It's always the tourtured souls that bring greatness. What a catch 22.
Why do you think they call it dope?

There is a guy on my block who lives for rock, he plays records day and night, and when he feels down he puts the rock and roll on and it makes him feel alright. - The Kinks, Rock And Roll Fantasy