Sex, Drugs, Etc.

Album: Chit Chat (2016)
Charted: 46
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Following the breakup of the Massachusetts pop-rock band A Rocket To The Moon in 2013, their frontman Nick Santino went solo. He released four solo EPs and a full-length album, Big Skies, then in August 2015 The Maine invited him to open for their Free For All 2015 Tour. Santino christened the band he formed Beach Weather, and they released an EP, What a Drag. Beach Weather recorded "Sex, Drugs, Etc." for their sophomore EP, Chit Chat.
  • The song is an antisocial anthem for people who prefer the quiet life to the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll lifestyle.

    Late night telephone
    Calling all the wallflowers I know
    Out the dark and into the light


    A "wallflower" is a person who sits by the wall during a dance. Because of shyness, they prefer to stay by the side and blend in with the scenery. Here, Santino is inviting his fellow wallflowers to hang out with him. Rather than indulging in "Sex, Drugs, Etc," they will stick to a "low key vibe."
  • Beach Weather wrote the song in a friend's shed in Phoenix. It "felt a bit secluded from the world both emotionally and physically," the band's Sean Silverman told Apple Music. "We love taking melancholic themes and pairing them with swirling choruses - something you can sing along to but then realize there's this darker personal undercurrent happening."
  • Six years after Beach Weather dropped the song, it found new life on social media. The fresh interest in "Sex, Drugs, Etc." caused it to enter the charts in a number of countries. It climbed to the top of Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart dated October 29, 2022.

Comments: 1

  • AnonymousI impinge the song sex, drugs, etc as someone who used to be a wallflower (shy, kept to them self) but then they felt left out and slowly started changing and relying on ‘sex drugs ect’ the lyric “feeling out of touch in harmony” really proves this.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

90s Music Quiz 1

90s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.