The Crazy Story Behind 'I Want a New Drug'

Chris Hayes tells the story about how he wrote the hit song "I Want a New Drug" by Huey Lewis and the News, and comments on the controversy surrounding the song in the 1980s. This video is one part of our upcoming "The Guitarist Behind..." interview with Chris Hayes - please subscribe and turn on notifications so you're notified when the full interview releases!

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*CREDITS*
Host/Producer: Mason Marangella
Videographer: Ricky Chavez
Video Editing: Mason Mejia
Audio Editing: Hunter Harrison
Engineer: Gabriel Shepard

*LOCATION*
25th Street Recording, Oakland CA

#theguitaristbehind #chrishayes #iwantanewdrug #hueylewisandthenews #hueylewis

[bbking]

For those from the '80s, these songs are the soundtracks of our lives.

[cdchantler]

How professionally handled by Chris the whole ray parker thing. Respect dude

Also very understate guy, I think that comes across in his playing and performances. Great musician but never a show off

[MichaelTaylor-edbh]

Chris RARELY does this kind of thing, so I’m pumped for the full interview!

[ThatAmpGuy]

This guys guitar was the first guitar I ever noticed when I was a kid! He’s probably responsible for me playing!

[jasonlee]

I remember my mother felt moved to tell me ‘you know he’s not singing about drugs. He’s singing about women’ lol!

[Deenoboy]

Man I swear Huey Lewis and the News were ahead of their time as a band. I want a new drug was my favorite song!

[leggomyeigonosensei]

Wow, I haven't seen Chris in 30 years. I wasn't sure that was him but then he started moving his head back and forth to the music and that gave it away.

[scotabot]

I have always loved Chris Hayes. So, so happy to see him doing this interview. He is a really talented player who was a major part of the sound in HL&N. Thank you so much for doing this interview Chris. We miss seeing and hearing you man!! What a great, great American band!! Still listem to them to this very day. Take me back to 1982 when I first heard, "Do you believe in

[roomofidiots]

You can feel the 80s in Huey’s voice. Awesome stuff from
Chris!

[chuckmiller]

Chris is one of my favorite players. Loved his tone and his lead playing too.

[rhubarb]

One of my favorite players .. and seriously underrated.

[patrickkasmir]

So good to see Chris, my main influence for picking up the guitar. Wonderful human being. Keep rocking Kid

[jamieruggiero]

My favorite guitar player of all time - this is pure gold I can't thank you enough for recognizing his greatness!!!

[jamesstill]

I met him in ‘85 at an music store appearance. I was 12 years old and he was a decent guy. He must have had an influence because I’m still playing to this day.

[VoxLesPaul]

It is such a pleasure to watch these interviews with Chris, a guitarist I've admired from a distance for years.

[brettbudward]

Chris rules so much, definitely one of the main reason I started playing guitar 🤘🏼

[carltonecho]

I first saw Huey Lewis and The News back in ‘79 or ‘80 opening for the Dooby Brothers. I remember standing in line being upset because we had to sit thru this unheard of band before seeing the Doobies. Boy, by the second song I was hooked. For me they stole the show. Of note for me was Chris’ precise playing and the unbelievable vocal harmonies!! Great interview, thanks.

[gigsandguitars]

“I’d have to look at my notes on that” - I would also love to see those notes!

[jonthomas]

This was a fun story, and the interviewer does a wonderful job making him comfortable and getting him to open up.

[thomasnodine]

Chris' work on Jacob Ladder inspiring