A Song From the Pandemic-Chlorine from ‘Cocaine’

Read Time:2 Minute, 27 Second

by E.A. Blair

I sometimes discuss things I’m writing with friends and acquaintances; it’s usually a good idea to get some feedback on work in progress, lest things get too one-sided.  But with this one, I managed to draw a blank.  “I’m parodying the song Cocaine,” I’d say.  “It’s a song by J.J.  Cale?”, and the inevitable response was “Never heard of it.”  “It was made popular by Eric Clapton on his album Slowhand.  “Oh, that one.”  Clapton always insisted that despite sounding as if the song promoted drug use, its message was subtly anti-drug; he seldom performed it, and when he did, he often altered the lyrics to “…that dirty cocaine…”.

John Weldon Cale was an American songwriter who penned a number of songs that were made famous by other performers.  He always avoided taking center stage, and in this, he was successful, since he was not well known outside of his core fandom and the musicians who admired his talent.  In 1965, he managed to get a regular booking at the popular Los Angeles club Whiskey A-Go-Go, billing himself as Johnny Cale.  However, the club had another headliner named Johnny Rivers, so co-owner Elmer Rivers, who didn’t want two Johnnys on the marquee, told him to change his name to J.J.

As J.J. Cale, he made a demo record on the Liberty label titled After Midnight, which was distributed among his musician friends but found little exposure elsewhere.  In 1970, Eric Clapton included a version of  After Midnight in his self-titled debut album, and its success prompted J.J. to return to the studio to produce his album Naturally, which finally launched a successful career.  At about the same time, founding Velvet Underground member John Davies Cale was also establishing himself as a prominent solo act, so John Weldon Cale decided to stick with “J.J.”

J.J. Cale died in 2013, at the age of 74.  As of this writing, Johnny Rivers (77) and John Cale (78) are still performing and recording.

Chlorine from Cocaine by John Weldon (J.J.) Cale as recorded by Eric Clapton, 1977

If you wanna hang out, you’ve gotta drink her down…
Chlorine
If you wanna get down, down under the skin…
Chlorine

Trump don’t lie, Trump don’t lie, Trump don’t lie…
Chlorine

If you got that bleach, your good health is in reach…
Chlorine
When your eyes turn red, you wish you was dead…
Chlorine

Trump don’t lie, Trump don’t lie, Trump don’t lie…
Chlorine

If your health is gone, and you don’t wanna live on…
Chlorine
Don’t forget this fact, you can’t get it back…
Chlorine

Trump don’t lie, Trump don’t lie, Trump don’t lie…
Chlorine
Trump don’t lie, Trump don’t lie, Trump don’t lie…
Chlorine

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About Post Author

E.A. Blair

E.A. Blair is the 'nom de commenter' of someone who has been a teacher, game designer, programmer, logistic support officer and technical writer at various times in his life. Most of the hits in a search on his real name predate the internet; it appears exactly four times in Wikipedia and six times on IMDb.
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E.A. Blair
3 years ago

I just got word that a recording of this song will appear on an upcoming album from the Bleach Boys.

Reply to  E.A. Blair
3 years ago

LOL LOL!! Can’t wait for that one.

3 years ago

Cute! Mindful of Trump’s inject yourselves conference. I suppose that’s the purpose 🙂

Tall Stacey
3 years ago

Not too fond of the “tRump don’t lie” line.

Reply to  Tall Stacey
3 years ago

I’m quite sure it was meant sarcastically 🙂

E.A. Blair
Reply to  Tall Stacey
3 years ago

In the original song, the line is “She don’t lie”, with the she being the drug. The point being, the artificial euphoria of drugs (or Trump) is a lie.

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