When they say Miami is made of snow, rest assured they aren't talking about precipitation. Even pop culture — through movies such as Scarface and TV shows such as Miami Vice — has helped equate the city with sweet lady cocaine. That's reason enough to honor it by listing some of the best coke-related songs, whether they're about sudden euphoria or dismal repercussions.
10. Goldfrapp, "Ride a White Horse": Call it whatever you want, but Goldfrapp's 2006 single makes cocaine sound so cool. It's glamorous. It's sexy. It's addictive. Then came the video, which was more crack cocaine than just the good stuff.
How pure is it? It's like being transported back to Studio 54, so you are probably in a backroom orgy too effed-up to care.
9. Rick Ross, "Hustlin'": M.I.Yayo! Ross's ode to dealing on the mean streets of Miami shows a less fabulous side and is one of countless songs about trafficking the stuff. But it's a great reminder that coke is so gangsta. Feelin' like Scarface, yo.
How pure is it? What's with the questions? Do you want to buy the stuff, yes or no?
8. Elliott Smith, "The White Lady Loves You More": One side effect of cocaine is depression. So remember: When the world seems to be working against you, cocaine will always be there for you.
How pure is it? Pure enough to cause you to rethink the direction of your life. Then you do another line and it's all better.
7. The Dogs, "Crack Rock": Did you snort your life savings up your nose? Well, for a quick hand job and maybe a little extra, you can score some crack — cocaine's uglier, shabbier sister. Sure, it's not as glamorous, but at this point you are just looking for a quick high.
How pure is it? Bitch, this is crack. You've hit rock bottom.
6. Johnny Cash, "Cocaine Blues": Cash reminds us that cocaine has consequences, such as shooting your wife and going to jail. But being the sort of outlaw that he was, he makes tragedy sound appealing.
How pure is it? Enough to send you into a murderous rage.
5. Grandmaster Melle Mel, "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)": Melle Mel tries to get between you and your quick high by telling you there are social and criminal consequences to cocaine. Buzz-kill!
How pure is it? Not sure, because our loved ones have been called in for an intervention.
4. Buckcherry, "Lit Up": In the '90s, Buckcherry gave the decade exactly what it needed — a great coke song. The lyrics "I love the cocaine" couldn't have been any more direct.
How pure is it? Pretty damn good. At this point, you are a cocaine connoisseur, so you know when you are getting crap.
3. Interpol, "Rest My Chemistry": The New York City band doesn't try to romanticize the drug as much as you'd think it would. No, instead, the narrator is a hot, sweaty mess who probably needs to take a break.
How pure is it? Seriously, give it a rest for a few days.
2. Eric Clapton, "Cocaine": Honestly, it's a cover, but Clapton made the song what it is today. He reminds us that "she don't lie," but before you think this track champions the drug, listen carefully. It harbors an antidrug message in disguise.
How pure is it? Where you're going, you won't need it. Ha! You just got tricked into going to rehab.
1. Laid Back, "White Horse": It's often debated whether the white horse in this song refers to cocaine or heroin. Either way, Laid Back's 1982 single starts out persuading you not to ride the white horse but rather to ride the white pony, also a slang term for coke.
How pure is it? Pretty weak, but you're in recovery now. Then again, one little bump won't hurt.
