Lit Up

Album: Buckcherry (1999)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Buckcherry frontman Josh Todd penned this song about the first time he did cocaine, with the lyrics and tempo describing the high he felt from the drug, which he called "magical and amazing." He says that because he's skinny, he wasn't a big drinker since he couldn't hold his liquor. Discovering cocaine, however, was a breakthrough for him.

    In our interview with Josh, he explained: "I knew a couple of dealers in high school and had a lot of fun with that until it wasn't fun anymore."
  • This was Buckcherry's debut single. The band formed in the mid-1990s thanks to a mutual infatuation with AC/DC. They are named after a cross-dresser who called himself Buckcherry (a play on "Chuck Berry") and used to come to their shows. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • Josh Todd penned the song sober having given up cocaine in the mid-1990s. He told Classic Rock Revisited: "Drugs and alcohol worked for me for a lot of years. For a lot of years it was fun, exciting and it was a blast. It was the last two years of it where it was ruining me in every way, shape and form. I had to really make a decision if I wanted to live or die. I quit using right after my first daughter was born."

Comments: 7

  • Mick from Sydney, AustraliaThe main riff is a ripoff of Shock Me by Ace Frehley
  • Halmummy from Lexington KyOk Jim, We are not the last and the world is not at end. Anyone want to add any insight to “packing lines is a sin”?
  • Jim from Long Beach, CaThis is the last of the great Rock N Roll songs ever. They just don't write songs like this in the 2000's and they never will. The end of a era.Enjoy...
  • D from Waterloo, Iathis song freaking rocks. kicks ass hard core baby!
  • Josh from Detroit, MiThe transvestite story was just a joke the band came up with. Keith Nelson came up with the name since "Chuck Berry is basically where this all started".
  • Nick from Tampa, FlInteresting to note there are 2 guitars on the track , one plays power chords in standard tuining and the other plays in Open A tuining, giving the song its unique heavy sound.
  • Eric from Milltown, InBuckcherry is the sleaziest band around, and it rocks. This song kicks @$$
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."