Paul Cauthen’s “Cocaine Country Dancing” isn’t just a catchy tune; it’s a raw snapshot of a chaotic period in the artist’s life. This track, featured on his 2019 album Room 41, emerged from a time of personal upheaval and excess. For fans intrigued by the stories behind their favorite music, this “Cocaine Song” offers a glimpse into the turbulent inspiration behind Cauthen’s work.
Following the end of a significant relationship, Cauthen left Wichita Falls, Texas, and spent two years living in hotels. This period was marked by heavy drinking and drug use, as Cauthen himself describes it, “an alcoholic, drug-fueled spree.” He filled his days with partying and fleeting relationships, a whirlwind of activity masking deeper turmoil. This intense chapter, while destructive, became the unlikely source of creative energy for Room 41.
The initial spark for “Cocaine Country Dancing” ignited in an unexpected place: a weed dealer’s warehouse in Wichita Falls. Surrounded by old musical equipment – a drum set, keyboard, and loop station – Cauthen stumbled upon the song’s core phrase. “Cocaine country dancin’ with you,” he sang repeatedly, recognizing the hook’s potential. He shared the idea with co-writer Jason Burt, and though the song lay dormant for a while, it resurfaced when Cauthen began preparing for his new album.
Burt revisited the “cocaine song” idea, adding the lines about time – “It’s a quarter to one, just looking for fun…” – which Cauthen felt completed the song. This collaborative effort brought “Cocaine Country Dancing” to fruition amidst Cauthen’s continued “frenzy” of self-described “acting out.” However, he clarifies that this chaotic behavior wasn’t malicious but rather a misguided attempt to “get through it” and, simultaneously, “reaching for a bigger sound” artistically.
“Cocaine Country Dancing” is more than just a song title; it encapsulates a specific and challenging era for Paul Cauthen. Born from personal chaos and substance use, this “cocaine song” ultimately became a testament to Cauthen’s ability to channel turmoil into compelling music, offering listeners a raw and honest glimpse into a difficult chapter of his life.
