Smoking is relaxing. I wish it wasn’t so bad for you. Long time ago, I used to chain smoke two or three cigarettes when I got home from a stressful day. I didn’t smoke everyday, but when I had a tough day, I’d light up. And I made a deal with myself I’d only smoke if it was a terribly intense and stressful day.
It turns out, cigarettes are a little pricy. My bright idea was to buy a carton to save on cost. I soon learned that a carton is a boatload of cigarettes.
One Sunday morning, I was reading the paper and having a cup of coffee on my balcony. I lit a cigarette and took a long drag. Suddenly I stopped. What was I doing? Why was I lighting up? I immediately took the carton and dumped them in the trash. I didn’t want to risk it being an everyday thing. I considered keeping an emergency pack just in case. But no, it was time to stop.
My smoking stint lasted about four months. Do I miss it? Yeah, I do. But you know, I love breathing more. It’s an easy choice. So I’m OK if it makes me a little sad. That’s not a tough price to pay.
I like Hootie and the Blowfish’s cover of Tom Waite’s I Hope I Don’t Fall in Love With You. It’s not a song about smoking, but there is a line in the song I’m reminded of.
Well I turn around to look at you; you light a cigarette,
I wish I had the guts to bum one, but we’ve never met.
That strikes a chord. What guy hasn’t been there. When I was young and single, that may have been worth the cigarette. If I had the guts that is. Thank goodness those days are pretty far in the rear view mirror.
Although the first time I heard this song was a 10,000 Maniacs cover, I gravitate more towards Hootie’s version. Darius Rucker’s voice is a perfect fit.
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Well I hope that I don't fall in love with you.
'Cause falling in love just makes me blue.
Well the music plays and you display your heart for me to see,
I had a beer and now I hear you calling out for me.
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you.
Well the room is crowded, people everywhere
And I wonder should I offer you a chair?
Well if you sit down with this old clown,
Take that frown and break it, before the evening's gone away,
I think that we could make it,
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you.
Well the night does funny things inside a man.
These old tomcat feelings you don't understand,
Well I turn around to look at you; you light a cigarette,
I wish I had the guts to bum one, but we've never met.
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you.
I can see that you are lonesome just like me,
And it being late, You'd like some some company.
Well I turn around to look at you, and you look back at me,
The guy you're with has up and split the chair next to you's free.
And I hope that you don't fall in love with me.
Now it's closing time, the music's fading out.
Last call for drinks, I'll have another stout.
Well I turn around to look at you; you're nowhere to be found,
I search the place for your lost face,
Guess I'll have another round.
And I think that I just fell in love with you.
MyGenXerLife 
Ah, but the Tom Waite version is the best one. I first heard it when Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) was spinning some of his favorite records on SiriusXM.
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I just heard the original version for the first time writing this post. It is pretty good, I agree.
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I am so glad that you were able to quit! Breathing is a good thing.
Also, I can relate but instead of cigarettes it was alcohol. I watched my older brothers battle alcoholism, and I told myself that I would never take a sip. Later, my friend introduced me to hard lemonade and apple cider. I started having one just on those really stressful days. It was enough to take the edge off. Soon, it was every day. I knew my husband didn’t approve, so I would hide them in the garage and only drink if no one else was home. It became a habit that I thought about all day. I would count the hours until I could have another drink. Finally, I just threw it all out and decided I did not want to go down that road.
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I’m glad to hear you were able to quit. That really could have gone down a tough road. I used to drink quite a bit due to stress. I stopped that as well. I have an occasional drink, but nothing out of hand. It’s better for health in the long run.
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I also had a stint with cigarettes but was able to easily give it up, thank God. So good you were able to quit too! 👏
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I like to breath…
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Same!
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I did the same with cigarettes. Tried to keep them around, but hid them from myself in various hard-to-reach spots. Singing made me finally quit altogether. They’re really not helpful for your singing voice, unless you’re going for that husky sound, which I wasn’t.
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Hahaha… that’s a tough regiment for a husky voice! That made me laugh!
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I read that Stevie Nicks smoked 3 packs/day at one point.
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Whoa. That’s a lot of cigarettes! I can see how that can happen. It goes so well with a drink, killing time or hanging out. I’m still trying to wrap my head around three packs, though. Wow.
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She definitely had a smoker’s voice – very rich – and so low
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Good old Hootie, seeing them in June at Hershey 😁
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Nice. Rucker has also had a lot of success as a solo country artist. I’ve heard a few of his songs. Not bad.
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I’d just finished the 10,000 Maniacs version and was going to comment but I read Shredbobted’s comment and decided to queue up the original. I like all three versions for different reasons. I’m feeling more forelorn after listening to Tom Wait’s than I was after the other two.
Great post.
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You know, I was thinking the same thing. Each has a different vibe. I listened to Wait’s version for the first time. I like all three as well. I still lean to Hootie’s more.
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I agree. I like the Hootie version
I might have been a chain smoker in another life. I get enough of a brain calm with deep long breaths, if I added nicotine, it sounds like nirvana. I was late to yoga and that one thing got me hooked. Ironic that smoking is all about taking deep long inhales and long slow exhales. Aka slow mindful breaths, and in the end it destroys your lungs. Before yoga became a thing, smokers were the only ones practicing conscious breathing…
Im glad you quit, your lungs and family thank you, but I get it. Smoking is hard to say no to!
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It’s an interesting connection: smoking and breathing exercises. I would never have made the connection. I’ve not tried yoga yet, but I hear it does wonders.
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I’m glad you quit smoking! You are brave! I know someone who’s been smoking for years. I am watching him and his health worsening every day.
I was introduced to cigarettes in college, and again someone offered me a cigarette just a few years ago but I didn’t like it. The taste of it was so bad! Also, it’s not healthy.
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Yeah, I’m glad I only smoked a few months. There was a time cigars were pretty popular. I’d occasionally have a cigar. Those are significantly worse for you than cigarettes. I’m glad I stopped those as well.
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Cigar! Fancy! But They’re bad.
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I’ve never been a fan of Hootie & co., but like the way they do this song. Smoked only socially from about 19 to 26, and *still* miss it sometimes. It’s addictive! But it stinks and tastes so bad… not to mention the health hazard.
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Yes… the smell is awful! The health hazard is even worse. Most people are split on Hootie, so I’m not surprised. I’ve liked them. Rucker’s voice is cool. I read when they used to play bars, his favorite was covering REM. I’ve found a few on YouTube. They’re pretty good.
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