Smith Page 1

Kelsey Smith

Professor Johnson

ENG 1201

11 February 2022

The Drug In Me Is You

“Running from my past I’m praying feet don’t fail me now.” In the original version, these

lyrics are shortly followed by a fast upbeat chorus, but they are made over in the reimagined

version to represent the sincerity of the lyrics. Falling In Reverse released their song “The Drug

In Me Is You” on their album also titled “The Drug In Me Is You” in 2011 following Ronnie

Radke’s release from jail. In the song “The Drug In Me Is Reimagined”, Ronnie Radke takes

the loud and fast lyrics of the 2011 version and unleashes the raw emotion behind the lyrics in

the hauntingly beautiful rendition.

Both the original and the reimagined versions use the rhetorical appeal pathos, but in

vastly different ways. The original version is loud with a lot of movements, people dancing,

scene changes, and it gives the listener a catchy melody to sing along to. The video invokes

emotions of excitement, happiness, and humor and leave the listener “pumped up”. The

reimagined version however, invokes a more emotional response. By slowing down the music

and focusing more on the lyrics, the listener is able to hear the sentiment behind the words.

The claims of both videos are the same, however the reimagined version does a much

better job of portraying it. Ronnie Radke has a bit of a dark past, he has struggled with his mom

leaving as well as his brother dying, and he has had his struggles with mental health and drug

addictions. In the lyrics, he claims he is running from his past and from the darkness that is

trying to pull him down. He is left feeling unhappy and like he is not meant to be here; “I can't
 Smith Page 2

believe I'm actually meant to be here. Trying to consume, the drug in me is you. And I’m so high

on misery, can't you see?” The listener can interpret the lyrics in their own way, but I interpret

them to mean that his past influenced his mental health which in turn influenced his drug

addictions.

The story being told in the original video was inspired by the life experiences of Ronnie

Radke. In 2006, Radke was involved in in an incident that led to a person’s death. The video

represents the court trial that was held regarding the incident where he was sentenced to 5 years

of probation. At that point in time, Radke was also struggling with substance abuse and missed

an appointment with his probation officer. As a result, he was arrested and spent two and a half

years in prison. This resulted in him being kicked out of his original band, Escape The Fate due

to his issues with the law and with drugs.

Upon the start of the video, the viewer sees the lead singer Ronnie Radke escaping from

the cops through a bedroom window. He lands in the alley and is apprehended by two officers.

As the story progresses, we see Ronnie going to jail and going through his court proceedings. In

this version, Falling In Reverse uses loud and energetic vocals and instrumentals to appeal to

those who enjoy rock music. At the time of its release, typical fans of the band likely ranged

from 15-30 years-old so the song also appealed to a younger crowd.

In “The Drug In Me Is Reimagined”, the setting and sound is completely different.  This

video again focuses primarily on Ronnie, but this time it is set in a dark snowy forest with a

single piano, an orchestra, and dancers. We see a blurred image of a woman, but she doesn’t

come into full view until later in the video. Ronnie is seated at the piano through much of the

video, until the woman appears. They stand far apart watching each other and he circles her. It

portrays a forbidden touch feeling, they get close but never touch. As he is singing, the trees
 Smith Page 3

and everything around him bursts into flames. Eventually she catches fire as well and

disappears. This second version appeals to a much wider group of people. While it still appeals

to the same groups that the first version appeals to, it also appeals to people who can relate to the

meanings behind the lyrics.

In an interview with Music Mayhem Magazine, Ronnie Radke was quoted saying “I

wanted to strip down the music to show you how raw the lyrics actually are, so you can feel the

song in a completely different way.” The lyrics in both versions are essentially the same, with

some minor alterations, the way they differ is in delivery. The first version holds true to the rock

and roll genre, with heavy instrumentals and in your face attitudes; but the reimagined version

concentrates on letting the listener focus on the emotion behind the lyrics.

While both versions of the song use a pathos appeal, “The Drug In Me Is Reimagined”

is more successful at invoking an emotional response from the listener. Additionally, both

versions appeal to a variety of people in the rock and roll industry but the life experiences that

influenced the reimagined version expands the bands reach. Overall, both versions of the song

are enjoyable, and Ronnie Radke puts his full musical abilities on display while connecting

and appealing to a large audience.

 Smith Page 4

Citations

Baltin, Steve. “Falling in Reverse Frontman Goes from Jail to Warped Main Stage.” Rolling

Stone, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2018,

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/falling-in-reverse-frontman-goes-from-

jail-to-warped-main-stage-64753/.

EpitaphRecords, director. The Drug In Me Is Reimagined. Falling In Reverse, 13 Feb. 2020,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2cbhYihBWY. Accessed 12 Feb. 2022.

EpitaphRecords, director. The Drug In Me Is You. Falling In Reverse, 28 June 2011,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgWr2nln83s. Accessed 12 Feb. 2022.

Mayhem, Music. “Listen to Falling in Reverse's Reimagined Version of ‘The Drug in Me Is

You.’” Music Mayhem Magazine, 13 Feb. 2020,

https://musicmayhemmagazine.com/listen-to-falling-in-reverses-reimagined-version-of-

the-drug-in-me-is-you/.