Substance

Reading Long Day's Journey Into Night reminds me of a song by the (now broken-up) band Girls called "Substance." Much like the content of the play, the song's lyrics probe at the concept of escape from reality and pain through substance. Yes, there are plenty of other songs that describe substance abuse (e.g. "Heroine" by The Velvet Underground, anything by The Beatles, and many more), but this one describes the melancholic feel of the play perfectly.

Here are some of its lyrics (although thoroughly depressing, the song as a whole is a worthwhile listen):

"It doesn't have to be this way,
I know something
to take the corners off
and help you rock and roll
right down the road.

And if you want to shape your brain,
I know a substance,
that gets rid of everything
and helps you rock and roll
out of control.

Who wants something real,
when we could have nothing?
Why not just give up,
who wants to try?
Let go of the wheel
turn your ass over
come on take it
it's a simple ride.

I take the key in my hand and it opens up the day
I take the key in my hand and it takes the pain away.

But if I had love I'd throw it all away."

As a bit of background, the song is from an EP called "Broken Dreams Club," and the lead singer, Christopher Owens, spent his childhood without a father and raised in a cult with his mother who was driven to prostitution. He experienced addiction problems of his own, and these lyrics, I feel, resonate critically with some of the emotions that the characters (Mary, in particular) are feeling.

Mary's addiction can be summarized pretty well with these lyrics. On the most superficial level, she uses morphine as an easy way out of the "real" problems she's facing (Who wants something real / when we could have nothing?). On a more subtle level, she also thinks that the drug empowers her by alleviating her pain, whereas in reality she is surrendering her power to the drug, helping her "rock and roll out of control"--but not in a fun way.

The last part of the song is what gets me the most. The female chorus which croons "I take the key in my hand and it opens up the day / I take the key in my hand and it takes the pain away" three times builds up a steady, predictable, and comfortable rhythm. Then, the song ends with a twist that almost sounds like an afterthought, "But if I had love I'd throw it all away." 

I'll leave you to think about it.