The Inspiration for Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me”

Q: About the song SUGAR, SUGAR, wasn't the “sugar” a reference to a drug?

A: A big NO to the drug reference; this rumor comes from the experience of taking LSD-laced sugar cubes. Some people LOVE to think that most songs from the 60's had some drug reference in them...true, a lot did, but SUGAR, SUGAR is not one of them.

From 1967-1969, Bubblegum Rock was prevalent, with titles and lyrics specifically targeted to kids age 12 and under. Other titles like this include CHEWY CHEWY, YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY, GOODY GOODY GUMDROPS and SWEETER THAN SUGAR with band names like the 1910 Fruitgum Company, the Lemon Pipers, Peppermint Rainbow and many others with different types of food in their names.

By the way, the lyric, "pour a little sugar on me, baby" was the inspiration for Def Leppard's 1987 hit POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME.

Bubblegum still holds up.