Rehab was released on English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse’s second and final studio album Back to Black. While jazz, soul, and Motown isn’t usually my go-to, I did find what she did musically in her tragically brief career so engaging. She was a gifted lyricist also with a raw, unmistakable voice that cut straight through. Rehab and the title track brought her international fame. Amy’s story which was told in the compelling documentary Amy (2015) is one of music-history’s most aggravating yet heartbreaking.
Rehab never fails to give me chills – it’s a hauntingly candid reflection of the addiction that would ultimately claim her life at just 27. The lyrics are autobiographical and address Winehouse’s refusal to enter a rehabilitation clinic for alcohol. “They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, ‘No, no, no“. The song is referred to as her signature song. With her death, Amy joined the tragic ranks of the so-called “27 Club,” alongside the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain, all of whom died from overdose or suicide at that same young age.
Rehab was released as the lead single from Back to Black and it peaked at number 7 in the United Kingdom and number 9 in the United States on the Billboard, becoming Winehouse’s only top 10 hit in the US. The song won 3 Grammy awards at the 50th ceremony in 2008. Rehab appears at No. 194 on Rolling Stone’s updated list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Also, Billboard remarked that Winehouse’s vocals on the song were “Shirley Bassey-meets-Ella Fitzgerald“.
[Chorus]
They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said, “No, no, no”
Yes, I’ve been black, but when I come back, you’ll know, know, know
I ain’t got the time and if my daddy thinks I’m fine
He’s tried to make me go to rehab, but I won’t go, go, go
[Verse 1]
I’d rather be at home with Ray
I ain’t got seventy days
‘Cause there’s nothing, there’s nothing you can teach me
That I can’t learn from Mr. Hathaway
[Pre-Chorus]
I didn’t get a lot in class
But I know it don’t come in a shot glass
[Verse 2]
The man said “Why do you think you here?”
I said, “I got no idea”
I’m gonna, I’m gonna lose my baby
So I always keep a bottle near
[Pre-Chorus]
He said, “I just think you’re depressed”
This, me: “Yeah, baby, and the rest”
[Verse 3]
I don’t ever wanna drink again
I just, ooh, I just need a friend
I’m not gonna spend ten weeks
Have everyone think I’m on the mend
[Pre-Chorus]
It’s not just my pride
It’s just till these tears have dried
References:
1. Rehab (Amy Winehouse song) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Amy Winehouse was an incredible artist. “Rehab” is truly chill-inducing, especially once you know Winehouse’s story.
Not only was she an astonishing vocal talent, but her lucidity and transparency in writing was top shelf. It’s scary to think where she could have taken Jazz if she hadn’t lost against her demons so tragically young.