Opium Trail

Album: Bad Reputation (1977)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to front man Phil Lynott's biographer Stuart Bailie, "Opium Trail" from the Bad Reputation album was inspired by a TV drama on triads, "a worrying obsession with Phil." Although Bailie may have been speaking with the wisdom of hindsight, there is no denying the core truth of this claim. On August 20, 1981 - his 32nd birthday - Lynott was fined £200 at Kingston Crown Court for possessing cocaine. He said afterwards he was very concerned about the effect the conviction would have on his career. This should have been the least of his worries; on January 4, 1986 he died in Salisbury Infirmary from complications due to his addiction to heroin. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 2

  • Jim from Christchurch, New ZealandPhil went prog on this song, one of his best songs ever!
  • Paul from Rothesay, Nb, CanadaWhat a killer track. Phil was a great songwriter, singer, front man...and a superb bass player, as this song proves!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

In The Cards

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.