Apparently, Robin Frederick (who originally wrote the song) simply wanted to make a simple anti-drugs song, mentioning different types of drugs and the physical effect is has on you ("But the water don't feel no good"), as well as a typical (but true!) explanation of the sad reason to why many people "smoke" ("Try not to see myself). Nick, however, having tried marijuana, became fascinated with the song, tabbed it out, and also changed a very essential line to make it his own. "No other life to choose" is penned by Nick, replacing the original "Got the marijuana blues". This, I think, is why this should be considered to be a Nick Drake song, seeing as this line, when examined, sets a much more bleak tone to the song, and changes it from being the sad results of a misspent youth into being a full-time addiction and a hairshirt for the life he wants to spend.
Apparently, Robin Frederick (who originally wrote the song) simply wanted to make a simple anti-drugs song, mentioning different types of drugs and the physical effect is has on you ("But the water don't feel no good"), as well as a typical (but true!) explanation of the sad reason to why many people "smoke" ("Try not to see myself). Nick, however, having tried marijuana, became fascinated with the song, tabbed it out, and also changed a very essential line to make it his own. "No other life to choose" is penned by Nick, replacing the original "Got the marijuana blues". This, I think, is why this should be considered to be a Nick Drake song, seeing as this line, when examined, sets a much more bleak tone to the song, and changes it from being the sad results of a misspent youth into being a full-time addiction and a hairshirt for the life he wants to spend.