Obviously this song is about drugs, whether it is referring to LSD or marijuana I cannot safely say, as the lyrics seem to point to both. I always thought it was about weed, but I can see how LSD would make sense too. For those that said this song isn't about drugs, of course John Prine didn't come right out and say "Yes, this song is about smoking weed." A lot of artists don't just come clean and admit their songs are about drugs because that attracts negative attention from certain people. The Beatles also denied drug references in a lot of thier songs, but just listen to some of their lyrics. "...I get high with a little help from my friends..." Anyone can tell that Illegal Smile is definately about either LSD or marijuana, and I'm still stuck with it being about weed. It's a great tune! John Prine is awesome!
Obviously this song is about drugs, whether it is referring to LSD or marijuana I cannot safely say, as the lyrics seem to point to both. I always thought it was about weed, but I can see how LSD would make sense too. For those that said this song isn't about drugs, of course John Prine didn't come right out and say "Yes, this song is about smoking weed." A lot of artists don't just come clean and admit their songs are about drugs because that attracts negative attention from certain people. The Beatles also denied drug references in a lot of thier songs, but just listen to some of their lyrics. "...I get high with a little help from my friends..." Anyone can tell that Illegal Smile is definately about either LSD or marijuana, and I'm still stuck with it being about weed. It's a great tune! John Prine is awesome!