Roxy Music: Love is the Drug Single (1975)

Roxy Music's "Love Is the Drug" / "Sultanesque" – A 1975 Classic

Released on October 3, 1975, Roxy Music's "Love Is the Drug" with its quirky B-side "Sultanesque" is a defining moment in the band's career. This 7-inch vinyl single (Island Records, UK: WIP 6248; US: Atco 7-7046) from their fifth album, Siren, blends glam rock, funk, and proto-disco into a seductive anthem that helped birth new wave.

The Single at a Glance

A-Side: "Love Is the Drug" (4:11, single edit)Writers: Bryan Ferry (lyrics), Andy Mackay (music)A funky, danceable ode to urban romance, driven by John Gustafson’s iconic bassline and Phil Manzanera’s sharp guitar riffs. Ferry’s opening line, "T’ain’t no big thing," sets the tone for a night of hedonistic swagger.

B-Side: "Sultanesque" (5:27)Composer: Andy MackayAn experimental instrumental with hypnotic feedback loops and sine-wave synths, evoking an exotic, sultan-like dreamscape. It’s raw, lo-fi, and a nod to Roxy’s avant-garde roots.

Release Context: Launched just before Siren (October 1975), the single was produced by Chris Thomas at AIR Studios, London. The cover art featured Ferry in a tuxedo, channeling film noir cool.

Track Highlights

Love Is the Drug

This track is pure '70s alchemy—a blend of disco grooves and rock edge. Born from Andy Mackay’s Wurlitzer piano sketch, it was transformed by Ferry and drummer Paul Thompson into a dancefloor banger. Key elements:

Musicians: Bryan Ferry (vocals, keyboards), Phil Manzanera (guitar), Andy Mackay (saxophone, synths), John Gustafson (bass), Paul Thompson (drums), Eddie Jobson (synthesizer, violin).

Themes: A witty take on love as an addictive drug, set against a backdrop of urban nightlife. Lyrics like "Up on Broadway she can strut her stuff" drip with Ferry’s ironic charm.

Legacy: Ranked #26 in Stylus Magazine’s Top 50 Basslines, it influenced Chic’s "Good Times" and countless new wave acts. It’s on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s "500 Songs That Shaped Rock."

Sultanesque

The B-side is a peculiar gem—an instrumental that feels like a sonic mirage. Mackay’s composition uses ticking percussion and modulated synths, inspired by classical composers like Ralph Vaughan Williams. It’s experimental yet oddly captivating, a lo-fi contrast to the A-side’s polish.

Chart Success

The single was a commercial triumph, climbing charts worldwide:

UK Singles Chart: Peaked at #2 (blocked by David Bowie’s "Space Oddity" reissue).

US Billboard Hot 100: #30 (1976).

Canada: #3.

Australia: #18.

Netherlands: #8 (Top 40), #9 (Single Top 100).

Certified silver in the UK, with over 500,000 copies sold globally.

Cultural Impact

Covers: Grace Jones’ 1980 reggae-disco version hit UK #35 in 1986. Others include Ben Harper and Manic Street Preachers (live).

Media: Featured in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

Influence: Hailed as a new wave cornerstone, inspiring bands like Simple Minds and The Human League. Its bassline is a touchstone for disco-funk.

Why It Still Resonates

"Love Is the Drug" captures Roxy Music’s transition from art-rock oddballs to stylish hitmakers. Its infectious groove and Ferry’s louche charisma make it timeless, while "Sultanesque" offers a glimpse of their experimental heart. Whether you’re spinning the original vinyl or streaming the 2018 remaster, this single is a must for music lovers.

Crank up the bass and let Ferry take you on a nocturnal ride. What’s your favorite Roxy Music track? Share below!