When I saw what the prompt was this week, I was pumped up because humans are so good at exhibiting so many types of behavior that I knew it would be easy to find a song for one of them. One behavior that humans are known for is getting addicted. There are unlimited things humans can get addicted to, including food, shopping, sex, digital devices, and mind-altering substances. I’m not sure who first coined the phrase, “All things in moderation,” but maybe it was Benjamin Franklin? Addiction is two-pronged in its manifestation. One is that it is an extreme need that goes beyond moderation. The other is that at some point the person is not able to function in their personal lives in a productive way. I think most of us have known addicts. Sometimes the addicts are ourselves.
“Snowblind Friend” was written by Hoyt Axton, who first released it on his 1969 album, “My Griffin Is Gone.” The song is about one of his friends who succumbed to a drug overdose. Unlike the many songs that glamorize drug use as part of the rock and roll lifestyle, there is no glory in this story, as we hear about the troubled addict getting high in “some unholy bathroom in some ungodly hall,” and how his friends who found him dead must now tell his family.
Axton had his own problems with drug addiction, and did what he could to warn of the dangers. Here is Axton’s original:
Steppenwolf recorded the most popular version of this song in 1970 on theirĀ Steppenwolf 7Ā album. In 1968, they covered another anti-drug song written by Hoyt Axton, “The Pusher,” on their debut album. Axton’s songs weren’t all doom and gloom; he wrote the song “Joy To The World,” which Steppenwolf passed on, choosing “Snowblind Friend” instead.
In a SongfactsĀ interview with the group’s lead singer, John Kay, he explained: “That song spoke to me because I knew the person that the song was written about. That’s why I decided, as a tribute to this young man, that we would do a version of it on theĀ Steppenwolf 7Ā album.“
“Joy To The World” ended up going to Three Dog Night, which had a #1 hit with it. This song introduced the word “snowblind” to rock music lexicon as a way to describe addiction, specifically to cocaine. Black Sabbath releasedĀ their “Snowblind”Ā in 1972; Styx used the title for aĀ track on their 1981Ā Paradise TheaterĀ album.
Source: Songfacts
"Snowblind Friend"
You say it was this morning when you last saw your good friend
Lying on the pavement with a misery on his brain
Stoned on some new potion he found upon the wall
Of some unholy bathroom in some ungodly hall
He only had a dollar to live on till next Monday
But he spent it all on comfort for his mind
Did you say you think he's blind?
Someone should call his parents, a sister or a brother
And they'll come to take him back home on a bus
But he'll always be a problem to his poor and puzzled mother
Yeah he'll always be another one of us
He said he wanted heaven but prayin' was too slow
So he bought a one-way ticket on an airline made of snow
Did you say you saw your good friend flyin' low?
Flyin' low, dyin' slow
You say it was this morning when you last saw your good friend
Lying on the pavement with a misery on his brain
Stoned on some new potion he found upon the wall
Of some unholy bathroom in some ungodly hall
He only had a dollar to live on till next Monday
He said he wanted heaven but prayin' was too slow
So he bought a one-way ticket on an airline made of snow
Did you say you saw your good friend flyin' low?
Dyin' slow, flyin' low
Did you say you saw your good friend flyin' low?
Dyin' slow, flyin' low
Blinded by snow
Songwriter: Hoyt Axton
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday.
This week Jim wants us to find a song that reflects different types of behavior that people exhibit.
Tao-Talk 
Nice choice, Lisa and I knew The Pusher, but this was new to me. I thought Hoyt Axton sounded a bit like John Denver. Hoyt also wrote The No No Song for Ringo and his mother wrote Heartbreak Hotel for Elvis.
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Jim, thank you very much. Glad to make the introduction. I can see where you hear John Denver in there. Both first class songwriters about things that matter.
No no, I did not know that about The No No Song. I just watched a YouTube on Ringo, his diet specifically and how he stays so healthy at 86. #1 food on his list is berries. The other 4 daily things he eats are broccoli, a hearty salad (no Taylor Farms, I hope!), goat cheese, and beans or lentils.
So Hoyt’s mom was also a songwriter? Heartbreak Hotel was a mega-hit for Elvis!
Looking forward to the songs others share tomorrow.
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Yes, Mae Boren Axton and Hoyt are the only mother-and-son duo to each write a number-one song.
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š <–found an emoji list on Vaccinius' blog. Very amazing. I'm adding Mae to my WMM list for a future post.
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I think a lot of musicians could write and sing from the heart about substance addiction because there was a fair share of it all around them, and of course especially if they had challenges in their own lives. That is a wild story of how Steppenwolf passed on Joy To The World, Lisa. But, I get why the band wanted Snowblind Friend.
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Bruce, agree with you there. It kind of comes with the territory I think, especially when they are touring. I’m actually surprised when I learn a musician is “clean.”
Yes that is wild on Joy to the World, but I’m glad they chose the other song. Also, The Pusher is a *great* tune about the other side of the addict, the supplier. “The pusher is a monster with tombstones in his eyes.”
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Hi Lisa totally new to me the song and Axton but I think I prefer his original version – poetic and profound lyrics – thanks for the introduction ā¤ļø
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So happy to introduce you to the song. I do like both versions, but I’m more used to Steppenwolf’s cover. Thanks and you are welcome <3
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ā¤ļø
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A new one for me. Powerful lyrics, and I like it.
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Clive, glad you got a chance to hear it. Axton has a profound way with words for sure.
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Whoa, it has been decades since I heard this one! Thanks for giving me the chance to hear it again.
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Keith, happy to oblige. I really need to seek out Axton’s album.
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I’d completely forgotten about this song, thanks for reacquainting me Li.
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Paul, my pleasure. It’s a song that gets me in the feels every time.
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New one for me, too, Lisa. I didn’t think I’d like the original by Hoyt Axton but it’s a real poignant beauty. Thanks for this excellent share.
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Nancy, I was also pleasantly surprised by Hoyt’s original; need to seek out that album. Thanks and you are welcome <3
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Yes, it was a good one. Welcome Lisa.
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The human condition – this was a great choice for today, Li. Thanks for sharing.
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J, thank you very much <3
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A new sog for me I had never heard this one before today! I enjoyed it! š¹š
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Glad you did, CA, happy to make the introduction :)
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I knew what the song was when I read Hoyt and Steppenwolf…I love love love this song! Ok…add another Love in there. I like the above graphic.
Max is addicted to ships.
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I was surprised Hoyt wrote The Pusher also but shouldn’t have been. Yes, it it a very cool album cover.
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You wouldn’t think that by listening to him…that man was deep…I really like him.
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