I Don't Smoke

Album: Maximum Bass 2007 (2000)
Charted: 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • DJ DeeKline is UK DJ/producer Nick Annand, who was 21 years old when this hit the UK Top 20. Annand has refused to disclose what it is that isn't being smoked.
  • This was the first record Annand ever recorded. He told Mojo magazine August 2008 about the recording: "My friend Donna Dee from the garage scene showed me how to operate the equipment. I put it out myself on the off chance. I didn't expect it to do anything. Then East West Picked it up."
  • This samples the comedian Jim Davidson repeating the title phrase "I don't smoke the reefer" in a faux Rasta accent. Annand originally came across the sample when he'd rang a friend and heard Davidson on the answering machine. He thought it would make a good hook for a track. The DJ/producer told Mojo magazine: "I think he was a bit cheesed off that it had been used. He wanted a slice of the cake. I'd love to have met him though."
  • The actor/comedian Marcus Brigstocke from the British TV show Argumental was also sampled on this track - that's him saying "I don't smoke cigarettes, I don't smoke cigars, I don't smoke a pipe, pipe, pipe..." He talked about it on the Graham Norton Show in 2011, where he explained that he was on a comedy show copying the style of Jim Davidson's character Chalkie White, and that was sampled on the track. Brigstocke said he was "delighted and mortified at the same time" when he heard the sample. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Nobby - Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • Annand is a true one hit wonder, having never released a follow-up to his hit recording. Instead he prefers to concentrate on his DJ work and running Rat Records. He explained to Mojo: "At the time I wasn't capable of making a pop record-beats and bassline is what I do. They (his record company) wanted another record, but it wasn't going to happen."

Comments: 1

  • Bmn from Hisuan, ArgentinaWait, one hit wonder..? Is this not the same Deekline who did Ill Street Blues & Truth is A Lie? =S
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

Scott Stapp

Scott StappSongwriter Interviews

The Creed lead singer reveals the "ego and self-fulfillment" he now sees in one of the band's biggest hits.

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.