Smoking weed and listening to music are the perfect pair of activities. With the ability to heighten your senses, weed often makes music sound so much better, or helps the consumer listen to a song more deeply.
Washington-based cannabis brand Caviar Gold is taking advantage of this activity pairing, having launched a new music distribution service called Hi-Tunes. The service offers pre-rolled joints with QR codes with free music downloads.
According to Scott McKinley, co-founder of Hi-Tunes, the service gives artists branded cannabis lines to market for themselves; if they lines do well enough Hi-Tunes will offer more trains under the artist’s line.
“Music used to sell sheet music, then records and record players, tapes and tape players, CDs and CD players, MP3 players — now music has nothing to sell,” says McKinley. “We intend to change that by matching music with marijuana. Smoke this, listen to that. It’s a beautiful concept.”
So whether you’re in Washington and can take advantage of Hi-Tunes, or you’re anywhere else, there are a variety of songs that are both wonderful to listen while high, or are merely about cannabis. Here are some of Jane Street‘s favorites:
The Chronic by Dr. Dre, featuring Snoop Dogg
Considered the greatest album in rap history, The Chronic was released in 1992 and became iconic for both gangster rap and cannabis culture. The album cover alone was fashioned after the Zig-Zag rolling papers logo, and to this day The Chronic remains both a cultural and musical benchmark. In fact, Snoop himself coined the term “chronic”: “White boy came; he had some sh— called hydroponic…But we got so motherf—kin’ high, n—as said ‘hydrochronic.’ And that’s when we started calling it ‘chronic.'”
Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective
While this album isn’t about weed, it is definitely fun to listen to when you’re stoned. Experimental, whimsical, and psychedelic this neo-pop album came out in 2009 and was met with widespread acclaim. It’s the perfect album for lying on your bed, smoking a joint, and letting the music flood in.
American Beauty by the Grateful Dead
If you’ve ever watched Freaks and Geeks, you might remember that episode where Lindsay first discovers the Grateful Dead through this album. She’s in her room and all of a sudden starts twirling to the song “Box of Rain.” The lyrics to many of the songs on this album are both warm and meaningful, comprising some of the Dead’s most quintessential songs. American Beauty is a must-listen for anyone who cares about classic folk rock and the cultural revolution in part led by the Grateful Dead.
Innvervisions by Stevie Wonder
Released in 1973 at a time when American was dealing with racism, drugs, and the aftermath of Vietnam, Innervisions has only become more impactful with age. Whether you’re lying on your bed after eating an edible or passing a joint around with friends, this album is both relaxing and relevant, not to mention an instrumental and vocal work of Stevie Wonder’s genius.
“Paper Planes” by M.I.A.
One of the most popular songs of 2007, the lyrics to “Paper Planes” run deep. On a surface level, you might connect with “get high like planes,” but if you look a little closer, you’ll see the song is a commentary on immigration, discrimination, and the dubious foreign policy.
“Legalize It” by Peter Tosh
It’s impossible to compile the best weed music without mentioning this classic by Peter Tosh. The message to this iconic reggae tune, released in 1976, is pretty straightforward: legalize the sacred herb.
“Purple Swag” by A$AP Rocky
The lyrics to this song are about getting high on a strain of weed called “Purple Swag.” Coming out of Harlem in 2013, A$AP Rocky shows that not all weed-centric rap has to come from the West Coast.
“All the Small Things” by Blink-182
If you’re feeling nostalgic, hotbox your best friend’s car, get faded, and drive around your hometown listening to this song. An instant classic, “All the Small Things” will take you back to high school or your bar mitzvah, depending on how old you are. Goes well with an apple bong and junk food for an ultra classic stoned joyride.
“Because I Got High” by Afroman
Like Peter Tosh’s “Legalize It,” there’s no list about weed songs that would be complete with this Afroman classic from 2000. If you’ve ever been completely stoned from weed, you’ll most likely be able to relate to this song.
“The Joker” by the Steve Miller Band
A 70s classic about “joking, smoking, and midnight toking,” this song is both laid back and energetic. It’s a great hit to play while you’re hanging out with friends, having a small party, or simply looking to lift your spirits with an energetic sativa and a couple old records.
