Bo Diddley - Pills (1961)

This man was a large influence on Buddy Holly, The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Velvet Underground, The Clash, and countless others. He was nicknamed “The Originator” for transforming blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was one of the first artists to include women in his band as well as one of the first to set up a home recording studio. His story is an interesting one that should be read about in a dedication much longer than the one provided on this page.

This song may not be “Mona” or “Before You Accuse Me,” but it’s one of my favorite songs by this legend. It was recorded in 1961, but not released on an album until The Originator in 1966. Like most of his songs, it’s been covered numerous times by various artists.



Bo Diddley - Pills (1961)

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Lyrics:

While I was layin’ in a hospital bed
A rock n' roll nurse went to my head
She says, “Hold out your arm and stick out your tongue”
“I got some pills, boy, I'mma give you one”

She went to my head, to my head
To my head, to my head
She went to my head, to my head
While I was layin' in a hospital bed

She gave me pills for my toes and they didn’t ache
She gave me pills for my love; but a little too late
She gave me pills for my heart, to put me at ease
The rock n' roll nurse shook me dead to my knees

She went to my head, to my head
To my head, to my head
She went to my head, to my head
While I was layin' in a hospital bed

Nurse, nurse, can't you see?
I don't dig this jive you givin' me
You give me a pill; you give me a shot
You got me wonderin' what- what have I got?

She went to my head, through my head
To my head, to my head
To my head, she went to my head
While I was layin' in a hospital bed

Doctor, doctor, run here and see
I don't dig this jive this nurse givin' me
She give me a shot; she give me your pills
I'm takin' this junk against my will

She went to my head, to my head
To my head, to my head
He went to my head, to my head
While I was layin' in that hospital bed

Ow! Look out, man, ow!