The singer would have been 37 September 14

International singing sensation Amy Jade Winehouse would have been 37-years-old September 14. The British singer was hailed as the world’s greatest musical talent of her generation with immense future potential.

But despite periods of sobriety, Winehouse was tragically brought down by alcohol and drug addiction July 23, 2011. Amy’s blood had 416mg of alcohol per 100ml – well over the 350mg which is recognized to be fatal. Police officers found three empty bottles of vodka in her London home.

I was angry about Winehouse’ song Rehab, which was release in 2006. It seemed she was poking fun at something that has saved many lives, especially when alcohol/drug addiction took her own life five years later.

But now I see Rehab as a cautionary tale for the rest of us, both sober and those who need rehab/AA to get and stay sober. Rehab is Amy’s final gift to the world, a sad, prophetic warning of what can happen when we are not honest with ourselves. Here’s the lyrics: 

Rehab
by Amy Winehouse

“They tried to make me go to rehab
I said, “no, no, no”
Yes, I 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
I won’t go, go, go

I’d rather be at home with a 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

I didn’t get a lot in class
But I know we don’t come in a shot glass

[Chorus]

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
He said, “I just think you’re depressed.”
This, me, yeah, baby, and the rest

They tried to make me go to rehab
But I said, “no, no, no”
Yes, I been black
But when I come back, you’ll know, know, know

I don’t ever want to drink again
I just, oh, I just need a friend
I’m not gonna spend ten weeks
Have everyone think I’m on the mend

And it’s not just my pride
It’s just till these tears have dried”

No more tears Amy, rest in peace and happy birthday.