Opium is a track from the deluxe edition of Gorillaz' seventh studio album Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez. The song features American hip-hop duo EarthGang and was co-produced by P2J.
Background[]
| “ | We recorded that song at the peak of quarantine and it kind of happened and we didn’t really talk about it. So, when it finally came out, a lot of our family and friends couldn’t believe that it happened. It’s really an honor. | „ |
| ~ Doctur Dot, In conversation with EarthGang on hypebeast |
Opium was made remotely in early April, 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. The song was co-produced by P2J, a Nigerian-British producer. Etta Albarn Teulon, Damon Albarn's niece, provides additional vocals for the track. Opium was eventually released on the deluxe edition of the Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez.
Lyrics[]
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1: Johnny Venus]
I've been cooped up for a minute
I've been inside workin' on me
Hyperbolic chamber, I sit
I'm gon' dance my way out of this
Winter lasted for ages
Trouble don't last always
Brand new life, turn the page
Be alright, be okay
[Chorus: Johnny Venus]
Grindin', lovin', singin', huggin', livin', get it, stack it
Runnin', dancin', flyin', people wake up
Come on, keep on dreamin', don't stop
Lovin', tryin', growin', don't stop
They gon' try to slow you, don't stop
Never ever, no, I don't stop
London, Paris, LA, don't stop
[Verse 2: Johnny Venus]
Atlanta, Jamaica, Rio, don't stop
New York, Lagos, Sydney, don't stop
You tried to kill me, created a monster
You tried to end me, but fate said no, no
Know why they envy, I got it, it's in me
Been so long since I had new faith
Been so long since I changed my ways
Been so long since I been okay
I met a lady on the side of the road
And I had a story that had never been told
About a life that was lived on hope
And the truth of the inner light that we all hold
She said "Baby, I can hear my train comin'
I'll leave with somethin' before I go"
Listen child, don't you ever waste time
Tryna dim nobody shine, better water your own
[Verse 3: 2-D]
Will we wake up tomorrow
And feel like we are closer together?
Sing for colossal changes
And how we treat each other when we're livin' in the city
Of elevations
Is it man or woman feeling
Some balance, today?
[Bridge: 2-D]
Hope (hope)
Hope the radiant light is shining on you (shinin' on you)
Hope (hope)
Hope the radiant light is shining on you
[Chorus: Johnny Venus]
Grindin', lovin', singin', huggin', livin', get it, stack it
Runnin', dancin', flyin', people wake up
Come on, keep on dreamin', don't stop
Lovin', tryin', growin', don't stop
They gon' try to slow you, don't stop
Never ever, no I don't stop
London, Paris, LA, don't stop
[Verse 4: Doctur Dot]
Been a long time since I been outside
Don't let it catch up with me
Eye contact just with me
Tapped in, wrapped up, bring it in, let me in
Let me all over, in between
Leave the toothbrush in your dreams
I ain't worried 'bout the next thing
I'll be with you to the extreme
Ice bounce off the glow of the moonlight
I hope we're still close when the sun rise
I paint the picture clear for ya
I can't hold this in much longer
Searchin' for this feelin' my whole life
[Bridge: 2-D]
Hope (hope)
Hope the radiant light is shinin' on you (shinin' on you)
Hope (hope)
Hope the radiant light, is shinin' on you
Video[]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Opium is one of the two deluxe tracks from Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez that were played on Song Machine Live, the other one being MLS.
- Opium is the third longest Gorillaz song (6:51), with DoYaThing (13:07) at first place and Hong Kong (7:14) at second.