Watch James Blake Slow-Boil A Version Of The Verve’s ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’ For The BBC
The song originally appears on the British band’s landmark 1997 album Urban Hymns.
By Nate Todd May 7, 2026 • 12:46 pm PDT
James Blake recently stopped into the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. The BBC shared video of the British singer-songwriter and producer’s session, including a cover of The Verve's “The Drugs Don’t Work.”
Blake is getting set to kick off a North American tour around his new album, Trying Times, in late May. Before that, he’ll perform at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in New Herrington, UK.
James was in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge to capture his take on The Verve’s “The Drugs Don’t Work.” Written by frontman Richard Ashcroft, the track appears on the British rockers’ 1997 album Urban Hymns. Blake also performed the title track from Trying Times and the album’s “I Had A Dream She Took My Hand.”
Watch James Blake deliver a smooth vocal on a slow-burning rendition of “The Drugs Don’t Work” and his other Live Lounge performances below:
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