The Velvet Underground: Heroin Meaning

Song Released: 1988

Heroin Lyrics

I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm gonna try for the kingdom, if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
And I'll tell ya, things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just...

1. anonymous

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   Feb 22nd 2012 !⃝

   Cooties to you that you actually have this song on your site! It makes me feel giddy.
   
   Heroin by The Velvet Underground
   
   I don't know just where I'm going
   But I'm gonna try for the kingdom, if I can
   'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
   When I put a spike into my vein
   And I'll tell ya, things aren't quite the same
   When I'm rushing on my run
   And I feel just like Jesus' son
   And I guess that I just don't know
   And I guess that I just don't know
   
   Something akin to drugs &/or drugs makes him feel really, really good. He doesn't care about anything except for getting his hands on more of whatever it is.
   
   I have made the big decision
   I'm gonna try to nullify my life
   'Cause when the blood begins to flow
   When it shoots up the dropper's neck
   When I'm closing in on death
   And you can't help me now, you guys
   And a
   You can all go take a walk
   And I guess that I just don't know
   And I guess that I just don't know
   I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
   I wish that I'd sail the darkened seas
   On a great big clipper ship
   Going from this land here to that
   In a sailor's suit and cap
   Away from the big city
   Where a man can not be free
   Of all of the evils of this town
   And of himself, and those around
   Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
   Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
   
   Everyone in town is addicted to something and the majority of people know that this guy is a "heroin" addict. Many of his good friends & family members have even pushed it on him. Sometimes he doesn't understand why they would have done that to him. Other days he thinks the reason is that they were trying to kill him. Now he has lost his Love, family, his friends, his identity & his eye sight from his usage. He's really, really, really, tired now. Even though many other people have addictions, this guys has been treated like scum because of his. Due to his usage, he has dealt with people who glare at him, give him the finger, walk away when he approaches, give him looks of disdain, pity and/or avert "eye" contact entirely. He has to be strong when he walks around his town because everyone knows he is an addict while they hide their own issues. They call him names like "crazy addict ho bag". He's used to it, but that doesn't mean he "likes" it.
   
   Heroin, be the death of me
   Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
   Because a mainer to my vein
   Leads to a center in my head
   And then I'm better off and dead
   Because when the smack begins to flow
   I really don't care anymore
   About all the Jim-Jim's in this town
   And all the politicians makin' crazy sounds
   And everybody puttin' everybody else down
   And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
   
   All he cares about is being alone with his drug. His substance is his "wife". When he does his horse all of his worries and concerns dissipate. He doesn't care about all of the gossiping jackasses and politicians making stupid rules and religious people who have hairy ice-cubes inside of their hearts. He knows some humans ain't human. All he wants is his drug. He can't live without it. He's even losing his personality and sense of humour.
   
   'Cause when the smack begins to flow
   Then I really don't care anymore
   Ah, when the heroin is in my blood
   And that blood is in my head
   Then thank God that I'm as good as dead
   Then thank your God that I'm not aware
   And thank God that I just don't care
   And I guess I just don't know
   And I guess I just don't know
   
   And he just wants to thank time, process & action that he's almost dead. He doesn't care about anything except for his drug. He hopes his drug murders him soon.
   
   Such a peppy song. :-)
2. anonymous

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   Jan 18th 2011 !⃝

   clearly an ode to the drug. the lines themselves mean nothing except the mood they create i.e. he doesn't really wish he was born a thousand years ago, it is only meant to be a way of expressing "I'm on heroin and this is how my mind works". It doesn't take a genius to understand that the decreasing-increasing tempo and volume are simulations of what he feels heroin to do. and the end of the song instrumental is how, after all the waves of high he's experienced, there's a violent crash at the end, feeling-wise perhaps, but mostly in his life. it is in no way a song about how good heroin is but rather a factual summary of the experiences of heroin users.

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