The Bob Seger Lyric That Bemoaned a Drug Epidemic

Bob Seger earned a reputation as a rock and roller with a special knack for reaching the heartland. Even as he exploded onto the national scene in the mid-70s, the native Michigander never lost touch with his roots. When he felt like that area of the country was in a bit of peril due to a societal scourge, he wrote about it. The result was the 1986 single “American Storm”, a somewhat forgotten but quite powerful part of Seger’s stellar catalog that targets the c*caine epidemic.

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“Storm” Rising

By 1986, Bob Seger had ascended to the heights as one of the most successful rock stars in America. Even as he entered his forties, he was still capable of churning out hits that pleased rock fans and crossed over the pop charts as well.

But there was a time when Seger was largely a regional concern. Seger battled for more than a decade for national acclaim, to little avail. He did, however, build up a reputation with audiences in the Midwest, where he toured relentlessly.

When he finally broke through to the entire country with his Night Moves album in 1976, Seger was still able to retain his hold on the area from whence he came. His authenticity helped in that department, as Seger remained incapable of seeming too big-time. In addition, he kept cognizant of the issues facing the folks from his former haunts.

“American Storm” started when Seger read Wired, Bob Woodward’s biography about John Belushi. Seger initially thought that the c*caine problem that gripped Belushi mostly raged on the East and West Coast. But he soon realized that the drug was ripping through the heartland in the mid-80s as well.

Behind the Lyrics of “American Storm”

Seger does a nice job of couching the song’s topic in metaphors. There’s no mention of c*caine at any point in the lyrics to “American Storm”. But as the song progresses, you can tell that his level of concern is high for anyone who comes in the path of this “storm” imperiling the country.

The theme of futility comes up several times in the lyrics, including at the beginning. Seger’s narrator mentions an “uncharted path.” But nothing special is waiting at the end of this road not taken: “You never seem to reach the end.”

An unwanted presence enters the picture in the form of the dealer. “When things go wrong,” Seger sings. “He’ll guarantee to make them right / If the price is right.”

In the second verse, Seger hints at the potential that might go by the wayside for those who use the drug. “A special gift,” he says. “It’s theirs to use for wrong or right.” Without even knowing it, the protagonist hits the slippery slope: “Suddenly the storm is heading straight your way.’

Seger hits overdrive on a thrilling chorus. His allusions to c*caine become more obvious (“a mountain of cold,” “a wall of mirrors”). “You face a full force gale / An American storm”, he sings. He concludes by hinting at the numbness of the addict: “But you never bleed / You never feel the need”.

This song was overshadowed somewhat by “Like A Rock,” the title track from his 1986 album that went on to become a big single (and commercial staple). Still, “American Storm” displays Seger’s songwriting skills and his empathetic streak on behalf of those who might not be able to handle the heavy weather.

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