Not too long ago, artists who drank and drugged themselves to death were viewed romantically. I mean, there are at least two Janis Joplin films in production as I type. But now it’s a different story. It’s hard to be a figure of dark mystery when you’re on the front page of TMZ every day covered in your own vomit.
Such is the fate of Amy Winehouse, a supremely talented train wreck of a musician who appears hellbent on dying young but without any of the accompanying glamor.
Back in Black is a wonderful album, and ‘You Know I’m No Good’ is perhaps the best thing on it. Expertly produced by Mark Ronson, it’s a sultry mix of old-school soul singing and modern beats. Winehouse’s voice is a perfect match for this sound, and it could be this album is the one truly great thing she’ll achieve in her career.
I hope not, though. I’d like to see her clean herself up and put her talent to good use. I think of Winehouse every time I hear a new Lucinda Williams song called ‘Little Rock Star.’ It was apparently written with Pete Doherty in mind, but Winehouse is pretty much his female equivalent. Here’s a sampling of the lyrics:
Or is your death wish stronger than you are
Will you go up in flames like the torches
that are carried for you
Hey Little Rock Star, what don’t you see
This is not all that it’s cracked up to be
And I can’t say I blame you
For throwing the towel in or buying more fame
by cashing your chips in
But with all of your talent, and so much to gain
To toss it away like that would be such a shame
Meet Me In Montauk 
This is my favorite on an album filled with wonderful songs. She is such an odd case. Her appearance on the Grammy’s last year was the first time I had seen or heard her rather than just hearing of her. And I was pleased to see what seemed to be a true delight in her performance. It made me think maybe she was turning the proverbial corner. Instead, TMZ has had many more Winehouse cover stories since that night.
I certainly hope she avoids Joplin’s fate. The fact that it’s more difficult to have such drug induced episodes in private should lead to more pressure/support for such artists. This “little rock star” with the strong death wish should be thrown into rehab until she’s ready to come out.
something tells me she will pull through.
It is so sad that Amy seem to have a death wish,she has so much going for her in life,she has an amazing voice,a family that love her,fans world wide ,she is young enough to recover from this downward spiral,i really hope she finds the strength of will to pull herself out of it.