Love Is the Drug

For the Irish TV series, see Love is the Drug (TV series). For the 2006 film, see Love is the Drug (2006 film).

"Love Is the Drug"
1996 Rollo & Sister Bliss remix single cover
Single by Roxy Music
from the album Siren
B-side	"Sultanesque"
Released	September 1975
Recorded	Summer 1975
Genre	Art rock
Length	3:58
Label	EG Records
Writer(s)	Bryan Ferry/Andy MacKay
Producer	Chris Thomas
Roxy Music singles chronology
"The Thrill of It All" (1974) "Love Is the Drug" (1975) "Both Ends Burning" (1975)
Siren track listing (start of album) "Love Is the Drug" (1) "End of the Line" (2)

"Love Is the Drug" is a 1975 single from Roxy Music's fifth studio album Siren.

Roxy Music original

Background

The song was the lead single taken from the album Siren. A number two hit in the United Kingdom, it also gave the group its first substantial exposure in the United States, reaching number 30 in early 1976 on the US pop singles chart and doing even better on progressive rock radio. Its B-side in most countries was "Sultanesque", a non-LP instrumental track written by Ferry, which is now available on the The Thrill of It All boxset.

The song started as an Andy MacKay instrumental, but then gained lyrics from Bryan Ferry; Ferry said the song came to him while he was walking and kicking the leaves in London's Hyde Park. The audio sample at the start of the single version is taken from the opening audio of the 1971 film Duel, wherein Dennis Weaver is walking to the garage at his house, stepping into a 1972 Plymouth Valiant, starting its Slant Six motor, and peeling out on gravel that is in the gutter in front of his house.

The unique bassline by John Gustafson became influential. In the DVD, More Than This: The Story of Roxy Music, Nile Rodgers of Chic states that the song was a big influence as the bass timing is almost identical to the one in Chic's song, "Good Times". In the Depeche Mode tour documentary/film 101, lead vocalist Dave Gahan sings along to the song while playing a pinball machine.

The song remains Roxy Music's highest-charting single in the US, while in the UK it was topped only by their 1981 version of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy". It is one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Personnel

• Bryan Ferry: Vocals and piano
• Andy MacKay: Oboe and saxophone (and Treatments)
• John Gustafson: Bass guitar
• Paul Thompson: Drums and timpani
• Phil Manzanera: Electric guitar (and Treatments)
• Eddie Jobson: Violin, synthesizer and keyboards

Chart positions

Chart	Peak position
Germany	39
United Kingdom	2
United States	30

Grace Jones version

"Love Is the Drug"
Single by Grace Jones
from the album Warm Leatherette
B-side	"Sinning", "Living My Life", "The Apple Stretching"
Released	1980
Format	7", 12"
Genre	Pop, Rock
Label	Island
Writer(s)	Bryan Ferry, Andy Mackay
Producer	Chris Blackwell, Alex Sadkin
Grace Jones singles chronology
"A Rolling Stone" (1980) "Love Is the Drug" (1980) "Private Life" (1980)
Alternative cover 1986 Remix

Grace Jones recorded "Love Is the Drug" on her Warm Leatherette album from 1980. The track was released as the second single, following "A Rolling Stone" in the UK while it was the first single to be released in Germany. After failing to chart in 1980, a remix of the Grace Jones version was released in 1986 following the 1985 compilation Island Life and then became a minor hit in the UK, peaking at #35. Music video was produced for the 1986 remix and directed by Matt Forrest and Bruno Tilley.

Track listing

• 7" Single (1980)

A. "Love Is the Drug" – 4:40

B. "Sinning" – 4:10

• 12" Single (1980)

A. "Love Is the Drug" – 8:40

B. "Sinning" – 4:10

• 12" Single (1981)

A. "Love Is the Drug" – 7:15

B. "Demolition Man" – 4:04

• UK 7" Single (1986)

A. "Love Is the Drug" – 3:21

B. "Living My Life" – 5:28

• EU 7" Single (1986)

A. "Love Is the Drug" – 3:42

B. "Living My Life" – 3:58

• 12" Single (1986)

A. "Love Is the Drug" – 6:57

B1. "Living My Life" – 5:28

B2. "The Apple Stretching" – 6:55

Chart performance

Chart (1986)	Peak position
Germany	57
Ireland	18
United Kingdom	35

Other cover versions

• In 1984, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes covered the song in their album In the Heat.
• In 1993, Australian rock group, Divinyls, recorded a version for the Super Mario Bros. film soundtrack. The song also appeared on their compilation albums The Collection in 1994 and Make You Happy in 1997.
• In 2001, Lisa Zane, dressed as an Egyptian, snake-haired gorgon, covered the song in Monkeybone.
• Kylie Minogue recorded the track for the 2007 Radio 1 Established 1967 compilation album.
• In 2010, the song was performed by The Hot Rats and released on their cover album, Turn Ons.
• Ali Campbell covered the song on his 2010 album Great British Songs.
• Carla Gugino and Oscar Isaac covered this song in the movie Sucker Punch. The song is also included on the movie's soundtrack.