Released: 2017
“Rx (Medicate)” by Theory of a Deadman is a gritty anthem that dives deep into the heart of modern-day disillusionment and dependency on medication to escape reality. The song tackles themes of apathy, drug dependence, and a critique on how society often deals with its problems. The narrative paints a vivid picture of a character numbing their existential dread and boredom through medication, juxtaposed against a universal backdrop of societal abuse of drugs.
The song kicks off with a portrayal of bleakness, with “a cloudy day” setting the stage for a narrative wrapped in despair. As the “dark rolls in and it starts to rain,” the imagery of being trapped within “cage-like walls” suggests a feeling of confinement in one’s own life, where time sluggishly “crawls” by. The mundane is met with attempts to escape through medication – “Crushin’ Candy Crush-ing pills” cleverly juxtaposes a popular mobile game with the act of crushing and consuming pills, illustrating an escape into digital and pharmaceutical numbing. The line “Got no job, mom pays my bills” underlines a lack of purpose and direction, further pushing the character into a cycle of escapism.
As the chorus hits with “Why oh why can’t you just fix me?” the plea for relief is palpable. The character yearns to “feel numb” but finds themselves invariably confronted by reality when “the medication’s all gone.” This line of questioning – “Why oh why does God hate me?” – introduces an existential layer to the anguish, questioning the fairness or logic of their suffering and desire to “forget this so-called life.” The repetition of “I am so frickin’ bored” emphasizes a profound disconnection and dissatisfaction with the state of being, where medicating becomes a daily routine to combat an overwhelming sense of ennui.
In a broader swipe at culture, the song takes aim at societal norms where even superheroes like Superman and celebrities in the “Hollywood Hills” are depicted as needing a “fix.” The lines “Your friends are high right now, your parents are high right now, that hot chick’s high right now” draw attention to the ubiquity of drug use across all strata of society, culminating in the bleak realization that “Everyone’s high as fuck right now and no one’s ever coming down.” This mirrors a collective longing for escape, but also a critical commentary on the normalization of drug reliance as a coping mechanism.
“Rx (Medicate)” does more than just chart a personal narrative of drug dependence; it holds up a mirror to society’s own addiction and the cyclical nature of seeking solace in substances. By blending incisive lyricism with a pulsating rock backdrop, Theory of a Deadman crafts a cautionary tale about the allure and pitfalls of finding an easy out through medication, making listeners question the very fabric of our coping mechanisms in the digital age.
