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Top 25 Songs about Cannabis

Marijuana-themed tunes go all the way back to the days of prohibition. From reggae and rock to country and jazz, these are CULTURE’s Top 25 favorites.

1. Brewer & Shipley’s “One Toke Over the Line”

The folk duo landed a 1970 hit with the catchiest pop song ever to pair “toke” and “sweet Jesus” in the same lyric.

2. Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35”

The band supposedly got high, switched instruments and tracked this song which the Gavin Report condemned for its call to “get stoned.” (P.S. Multiply 12 x 35.)

3. Mario Bauzá’s “Tanga”

This 1943 tune, named after an African word for cannabis, is considered the first Latin jazz song ever.

4. People Under the Stairs’ “Acid Raindrops”

This brilliant West Coast rap crew offers up what could be the first medical marijuana anthem.

5. Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen’s “Seeds & Stems (Again)”

Kenny Rogers released his first hits album the same year, but this 1971 country music tearjerker blows “Lucille” away.

6. Peter Tosh’s “Legalize It”

On the first song from his solo debut, the former Wailer gets political.

7. D’Angelo’s “Brown Sugar”

This Grammy-nominated breakthrough hit sounds like a romantic ballad, but it’s not a person tempting the singer’s sweet tooth.

8. Stuff Smith’s “If You’re a Viper”

Released the same year as Reefer Madness, this 1936 jazz tune is equally famous for Fats Waller’s 1943 remake as “The Reefer Song.”

9. Fraternity of Man’s “Don’t Bogart Me”

This 1968 blues classic about marijuana etiquette became famous in the movie Easy Rider.

10. KRS-One’s “I Can’t Wake Up”

On his first solo outing, the Boogie Down rapper narrates a hip-hop smoking circle from the blunt’s perspective.

11. Rita Marley’s “One Draw”

Written by husband Bob, this reggae hit shows the ladies also know how to blaze.

12. Cab Calloway’s “Reefer Man”

The Cotton Club regular epitomizes Harlem hipness on this 1930 big band classic.

13. Bob Marley’s “Kaya”

Among all the Marley classics, the title track from his Exodus follow-up soars the highest.

14. Ray Charles’ “Let’s Go Get Stoned”

You know a song ruffled feathers when it motivated a Vice President (Spiro Agnew) to rip on a blind guy.

 15. David Peel’s “The Pope Smokes Dope”

Produced by John Lennon, this 1972 rarity pissed off more Catholics than Bill Maher.

16. De La Soul’s “Peer Pressure”

B-Real exchanges weed banter with De La on this J. Dilla-produced track.

17. Steppenwolf’s “Don’t Step on the Grass, Sam”

This 1968 political rocker has some tough words for our overbearing Uncle.

18. Afroman’s “Because I Got High”

The ultimate one-hit wonder!

19. Black Sabbath’s “Sweet Leaf”

The Gods of Metal opened 1971’s Master of Reality on what could be called a high note.

20. Sublime’s “Smoke Two Joints”

Sublime nailed it on this hit remake of The Toyes’ 1983 original.

21. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s “Weed Song”

With a video claiming it’s 420, the song highlights many of marijuana’s medicinal benefits.

22. Redman’s “How to Roll a Blunt”

From his 1992 debut, Redman delivers a rap music version of Blunt Rollin‘ for Dummies.

23. “La Cucaracha”

The theme song to the Mexican Revolution includes a call to “marijuana que fumar.”

24. Nirvana’s “Moist Vagina”

Check out this “Rape Me” b-side to hear Kurt Cobain repeatedly scream “marijuana.”

25. Louis Armstrong’s “Muggles”

Named after a jazz slang term for cannabis, this 1928 instrumental is one of the earliest recorded songs to pay tribute.