Not an Addict

The song's content originates from Sam Bettens' previous experiences with drugs and his views on substance dependence. He explained in an interview that he was addicted to cigarettes and experimented with acid and mushrooms but never tried any hard drugs, fearing that it would make him lose touch with his self-control. Bettens went on to explain that the song is not pro-drug and expressed his worry about fans of the song trying drugs because of the subject matter. However, he also revealed that the track is not anti-drug, saying, "At home, there's a lot of debate about legalizing soft drugs, like pot, to separate them from the criminality that sometimes surrounds hard drugs. The issue isn't black and white, and neither is the song".{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1997/Billboard-1997-05-17.pdf|title=The Modern Age|last=Bambarger|first=Bradley|magazine=Billboard|volume=109|issue=20|page=41|date=17 May 1997|access-date=12 September 2020}}

"Not an Addict" is written in the key of E major and has a tempo of 169 beats per minute.{{cite web|url=https://tunebat.com/Info/Not-An-Addict-K-s-Choice/6YDvP50yTlVtIBVuKbEXjJ|title=Key & BPM for Not an Addict by K's Choice|website=Tunebat|access-date=14 February 2020}} It has a length of four minutes and fifty seconds.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/not-an-addict-mt0001845239|title=K's Choice – Not an Addict Overview|website=AllMusic|access-date=14 February 2020}}

Upon the 1995 release, Music & Media described the song as "a somehow more disciplined version of the Breeders."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-08-12.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=32|date=12 August 1995|page=8|access-date=17 March 2025}} On the 23 December 1996 issue of the magazine, it was proclaimed the "single of the week". According to the entry: "Among all that talent pouring out of Belgium—dEUS, Moondog Jr., The Sands—it is possible to overlook the latest gem out of this small country. To pass up on K-Choice would be a major mistake. K-Choice's singer/co-writer Sarah Bettens is obviously inspired by US alternative rock queens such as the Deal sisters, Heather Nova and Johnette Napolitano. A little bit of Bangles pops up at the end, but the guitars remain loud and clear."{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-12-23.pdf|title=M&M Music – New Releases|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=51/52|page=4|date=23 December 1995|access-date=14 February 2020}} Music Week rated it three out of five, describing it as "a brooding, bass-heavy torch song overlaid by breezy atmospheric vocals from the Belgian four-piece".{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-03-30.pdf|title=Reviews|magazine=Music Week|page=10|date=30 March 1996|access-date=13 August 2021}} In 1995, the song earned a ZAMU Award for Best Single.{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-02-17.pdf|title=M&M News This Week – Bulletin Board|magazine=Music & Media|volume=13|issue=7|page=7|date=17 February 1996|access-date=14 February 2020}}

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• Benelux CD single (1995){{cite AV media notes|title=Not an Addict|year=1995|type=Benelux CD single liner notes|publisher=Double T Music|id=DTM 501212-1}}

1. "Not an Addict" – 4:48

• Benelux CD single (1996){{cite AV media notes|title=Not an Addict|year=1996|type=Benelux CD single liner notes|publisher=Double T Music|id=DTM 501218-2}}

1. "Not an Addict" – 4:48
2. "Dad" (recorded 4 December 1995 for "2 Meter Sessies") – 3:19
3. "Not an Addict" (recorded 4 December 1995 for "2 Meter Sessies") – 4:36
4. "Something's Wrong" (live version) – 3:49

• European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Not an Addict|year=1995|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records, Double T Music|id=COL 6624351, 01-662435-17}}

1. "Not an Addict" – 4:48
2. "Something's Wrong" – 3:49

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• European maxi-CD and Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Not an Addict|year=1995|type=European maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records, Double T Music|id=COL 6624352, 01-662435-14}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Not an Addict|year=1995|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records, Double T Music|id=662435 2}}

1. "Not an Addict" – 4:48
2. "Something's Wrong" – 3:49
3. "Little Man" – 3:54
4. "Basically the Same" – 3:30

• German maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Not an Addict|year=1996|type=German maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records, Double T Music|id=COL 663799 2, 663799 2}}

1. "Not an Addict" – 4:48
2. "Concert Intro + To This Day" (live at Pinkpop '96) – 5:13
3. "My Record Company" (live at Pinkpop '96) – 3:54
4. "My Heart" (live at Pinkpop '96) – 3:32
5. "Walk Away" (live at Pinkpop '96) – 3:13

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Credits are taken from the 1995 Benelux CD single liner notes.

Studio

• Recorded at Jet Studios (Brussels, Belgium).

Personnel

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• K's Choice – performance
• Gert Bettens – writing, artwork illustration
• Sam Bettens (as Sarah Bettens) – writing
• Jean Blaute – production, mixing
• Werner Pensaert – mixing
• Jurgen Rogiers – photography
• King & Kong – artwork design

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{{Reflist}}

{{K's Choice}}

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Category:1995 singles

Category:1995 songs

Category:550 Music singles

Category:Columbia Records singles

Category:English-language Belgian songs

Category:Songs about drugs