Same Drugs

"Same Drugs"
Song by Chance the Rapper
from the album Coloring Book
ReleasedMay 13, 2016
Length4:17
LabelSelf-released
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Music video
"Same Drugs" on YouTube

"Same Drugs" is a song by American rapper Chance the Rapper, from his third mixtape Coloring Book (2016). It contains vocals from Eryn Allen Kane, and was produced by the Social Experiment members CottonTale, Nico Segal, and Chance the Rapper himself, alongside Lido and Francis and the Lights.

Background and lyrics

Despite the song's title, "Same Drugs" does not reference substance use. Chance the Rapper addressed this misconception directly via Twitter:

Same Drugs isn't about drugs 😒[1]

During a Reddit AMA session, Chance revealed that "Same Drugs" underwent approximately 20 different versions, describing it as the most challenging track to write.[2] He also mentioned that an early version featured singer-songwriter Regina Spektor. Later, he expressed regret over not including her collaboration, tweeting:

Listening to old versions of the songs from Coloring Book. Same Drugs had Regina Spektor on it. Not using this may be my biggest mistake.[3]

The lyrics are characterized by themes of nostalgia, loss, and the passage of time, with references to the story of Peter Pan and its 1991 film adaptation Hook serving as a central allegory.

Critical reception

"Same Drugs" was met with critical acclaim. Adriane Pontecorvo of PopMatters wrote, "Layered with Peter Pan references, surreal puppet side characters, and marvelous guest vocalists, 'Same Drugs' is a masterpiece about growing up and growing apart."[4] Tom Breihan of Stereogum wrote, "'Same Drugs' is a spare, fragile R&B campfire singalong," describing it as "heart-wrenchingly lovely".[5]

Music video

The official music video for "Same Drugs" was released on February 6, 2017, on YouTube. Directed by Jake Schreier, the video depicts Chance playing a piano alongside a puppet, reflecting the song's nostalgic tone.[6] The video features an extended version of the song with additional vocal contributions from Eryn Allen Kane, Yebba, John Legend, Francis Starlite, and Macie Stewart.

Live performances

On December 17, 2016, Chance the Rapper performed "Same Drugs" and "Finish Line / Drown" on Saturday Night Live, featuring guest vocals from Francis and the Lights and Noname, respectively.[7]

Charts

Chart performance for "Same Drugs"
Chart (2016) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] 5

References

  1. ^ @chancetherapper (May 13, 2016). "Same Drugs isn't about drugs 😒" (Tweet). Retrieved December 11, 2024 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Bradley, Nina (February 9, 2017). "Chance's "Same Drugs" Isn't Actually About Drugs". Bustle. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  3. ^ @chancetherapper (June 9, 2016). "Listening to old versions of the songs from Coloring Book..." (Tweet). Retrieved December 11, 2024 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Pontecorvo, Adriane (February 14, 2017). "Chance the Rapper – "Same Drugs" (Singles Going Steady)". PopMatters. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Breihan, Tom (May 13, 2016). "Premature Evaluation: Chance The Rapper Coloring Book". Stereogum. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Willis, Jay (February 6, 2017). "Chance the Rapper's "Same Drugs" Video Is an Intimate, Puppet-Fueled Tour de Force". GQ. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  7. ^ Young, Alex (December 18, 2016). "Chance the Rapper steals the show on SNL's Christmas episode — watch". Consequence. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  8. ^ "Chance the Rapper - Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.