Amy Winehouse: Back to Black (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011)

Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Brian Jones - all musicians who died at age 27. Drugs? Alcohol? I don't care about the how, 27 is too young for anyone to die.


I suppose if one has talent, gets discovered, makes it "big" and then gets swept up in all the hoopla, the breaking point comes in one's mid- to late-20s. I believe all these deaths were drug-related. Sad that they all apparently felt pushed to the brink. Perhaps we too often take it for granted when someone survives the gauntlet of fame and fortune and everything that goes with it.

Truthfully, I would not describe myself as the world's biggest Amy Winehouse fan, but like so many others, I was captivated by the sound of her sultry, bluesy voice.  Knowing that she struggled with alcohol and drugs make the lyric to her popular song, Rehab, all the more poignant.

Despite the defiant tone of Rehab, Amy Winehouse did finally try to dry out. Rehab didn't seem to work for her. I reprint the lyrics here as a tribute to a talented, if troubled singer songwriter who left us far too soon.   

Rehab


They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know, know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab, I won't go, go, go

I'd rather be at home with Ray
I ain't got seventeen days
'Cause there's nothing, there's nothing you can teach me
That I can't learn from Mr. Hathaway

I didn't get a lot in class
But I know we don't come in a shot glass

They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black but when I come back you'll know know know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab, I won't go, go, go

The man said, "Why do you think you here?"
I said, "I got no idea"
I'm gonna, I'm gonna lose my baby
So I always keep a bottle near

He said, "I just think you're depressed
Kiss me, yeah baby and go rest"

They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know, know

I don't ever wanna drink again
I just, ooh, I just need a friend
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
Have everyone think I'm on the mend

And it's not just my pride
It's just 'til these tears have dried

They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know, know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab, I won't go, go, go

(From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/a/amy-winehouse-lyrics/rehab-lyrics.html)