Musical Analysis #2 Cocaine Jesus by Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Musical Analysis #2 - Cocaine Jesus by Rainbow Kitten Surprise 

Cocaine Jesus by Rainbow Kitten Surprise (RKS) was released on May 1, 2015, as part of the Seven+Mary album. The band is from Boone, North Carolina and this song is widely recognized as one of their earliest and biggest hits. The current members of RKS are, Ela Melo (lead vocals, guitars), Darrick "Bozzy" Keller (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Ethan Goodpaster (lead guitar, backing vocals), and Jess Haney (drums). 

Cocaine Jesus By Rainbow Kitten Surprise


           Rainbow Kitten Surprise members. 


I interpret this song to be about relying on someone or something as a temporary fix to your issues and then getting stuck in that cycle. People have thought that this song is about relying on drugs while others have said it is about relying on an ex that you keep going back to. To me, this song feels very angry and sad. I can’t really explain why I like this song, I just really like listening to it and even though it is sad, it feels kind of comforting. 


This song has a kind of sad melody but a more fast and happy tempo which matches well with the lyrics. The song is composed in the key D major with vocals that are almost conversational which works well with the upbeat chorus. The main instruments used in this song are electric guitars, bass guitar, and drums. The rhythm is steady and smooth which contrasts well with the intense lyrics. 


My favorite lyrics in this song is,

“And I'm nothing more than a page unwritten on the pavement

Blowing in the wind

You win a lot and lose just a little bit more

Than you gained in the end” 

I think that these lyrics are so beautiful yet sad and I think that they show so much emotion. 


Jaci Byars writes, “While the song title may be a little controversial to some, the song is super catchy and has a unique sound to it. I always like when music is a little more challenging to me to understand the story behind it and this was one of those songs for me” (Byars). I completely agree with this and I think that when a song is harder to understand, once you do finally understand it, it makes it all the more meaningful. 


Mark Wheat writes, “When I listened, I could tell immediately there was potential. Rainbow Kitten Surprise reminded me of some old faves while simultaneously not sounding quite like anything else. They have that fragile sound, as if it could all come crashing down at any point”(Wheat). The idea that it sounds as if it could all crash at any point seems so accurate when listening to Cocaine Jesus or really most of RKS’s songs.  


Overall, I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do!


Works Cited

Byars, Jaci. “'Cocaine Jesus' Rainbow Kitten Surprise.” Music Review By Jaci, 18 December 2019, https://jaci071798.wixsite.com/mysite/post/cocaine-jesus-rainbow-kitten-surprise. Accessed 22 February 2026.

Wheat, Mark. “DJ Pick of the Week: Mark Wheat - Rainbow Kitten Surprise, 'Cocaine Jesus.'” the current, 06 February 2017, https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2017/02/06/dj-pick-of-the-week-mark-wheat-rainbow-kitten-surprise-cocaine-jesus. Accessed 22 February 2026.





Comments

  1. Terryn WilliamsonFebruary 25, 2026 at 1:52 PM

    Hi Sally,

    First of all, I love Rainbow Kitten Surprise. My favorite song is "Tropics". I really admire all of their music honestly. I would like to add onto how the rhythm reminds me of a roller coaster. It stays steady during the first minute and then soon as the chorus hits, it goes from a fast rhythm to a steady "bum-bum-bum-bum" and slowly picks up. But around 02:15 it slows down even more, which I love. Then it picks up right back again 15 seconds later. You did a great job at explaining how this song makes you feel. It has me listening to it again from a different point of view.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Arianna HFebruary 26, 2026 at 8:44 PM

    Thank you for introducing me to this song! I agree with what you said about how it feels angry, sad, and comforting. It's lyrically intense but the melody sort of lulls you. It reminded me of spinning on a merry go round. While I was listening, I was captivated by how I didn't know what to expect in the next turn. The texture of this song was cool, it thins and thickens and the back and forth of homophonic and polyphonic vocals felt like the music was coming from all angles! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sofia HurenkoFebruary 27, 2026 at 3:49 AM

    I liked how you noticed that the song feels sad even though it’s fast and in a major key. That contrast makes the chorus stand out more, almost like the music is trying to stay positive while the lyrics go in a different direction. The way the vocals sound so conversational makes it feel personal as well.

    ReplyDelete

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