Kicks ~ Paul Revere & The Raiders

“Kicks” by Paul Revere & The Raiders entered the charts the beginning of 1966 and peaked on the Billboard Pop Charts at #4. Drug use in the pop scene was being introduced in 1966 and was making its way into the “mainstream”. “Kicks” was one of the first pop tracks that spoke to drug use and what makes it even more unique for the time is it’s anti-drug message. Kicks just keep gettin' harder to find And all your kicks ain't bringin' you peace of mind Before you find out it's too late, girl You better get straight The chorus (above) sends a stern message, excitement or “Kicks” are becoming more difficult to come by, the drugs which would be the new “kick” is not what its all cracked up to be, if you don’t stop, you may not be able to stop so straighten out. Kicks came out just in time. Honestly, I do not even know if the message was quite clear in early 1966. Imagine if “Kicks” was released just a year later, would it have been as well received? Would the message have been seen as “uncool”? Would Paul Revere & The Raiders management even allowed them to record the track? Nonetheless, “Kicks” is a great pop track performed by a great pop band, Paul Revere & The Raiders.