I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm goin' to 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
Then I tell you things aren't quite the same

When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like jesus' son
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know

I have made very big decision
I'm goin' to 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

You can't help me not you guys
All you sweet girls with all your sweet talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess I just don't know

I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
I put on a sailor's suit and cap

Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils in this town
And of himself and those around
Oh, and I guess I just don't know
Oh, and I guess I just don't know

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 than dead

When the smack begins to flow
Then I really don't care anymore
About all the jim-jims in this town
And everybody putting everybody else down
And all of the politicians makin' crazy sounds
All the dead bodies piled up in mounds, yeah

Wow, that heroin is in my blood
And the blood is in my head
Yeah, the god's good as dead
Ooohhh, God that I'm not aware
I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess I just don't know



Lyrics submitted by spliphstar

Track duration: 08:44

"Heroin" as written by Lou Reed

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Heroin song meanings
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26 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Being a heroin user this song describes best its feelings. I caught HIV 3 years ago exchanging needle with my best friend. I'm disgusted!
    Flag Sharleneon October 30, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is velvet underground & im aware lou was with them but it wasnt written in his solo career
    awesome fucking song though
    Flag buttholesurfer69on August 20, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:The song is about crack, right?
    Flag Tahtselon March 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:If what LizardKingReborn meant by his comment is that this song was covered by the
    Velvet Underground, it's probably because he heard it on The Doors soundtrack. But
    this song was only in the movie, it wasn't written by The Doors. And speaking of
    the movie, yeah it's a great plot and all but Ray Manzarek hates it and calls it a
    pack of lies. I'd trust his opinion more than anyone elses, obviously.

    Great song though. Maybe about drugs, but I'm not sure.
    Flag GermanOrganistBrockon December 13, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:i personally don't do heroin but i still think this song is pretty amazing. i first heard it when i watched The Doors movie. great movie btw =]
    Flag [the perfect drug]on July 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:simply amazing
    Flag rashoulteson April 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I also agree that this is a fucking great song,full of irony:
    "cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
    When I put a spike into my vein"
    "Heroin, be the death of me
    Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life"
    And the way Reed sings it is simply amazing,the guy's living the song!
    "Oh,and I guess that I just don't know":making fun of all these people who think that they "know"
    Flag eliza13on March 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Awesome song!
    Never actually used heroin, but I know the whole "love/destruction" from another destructive habit!

    And TheLizardKingReborn, no offence, but dumbass! :D
    Flag S0LIPSISTon February 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I have to agree with some of the other people who commented here. Being an iv heroin user for 3 years now, this song describes the feelings so well. It's an incredible song with incredible meaning.

    Heroin, be the death of me
    Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life

    this line really hits me. i feel like it explains perfectly how i feel about heroin. the love of my life and the destruction of it.
    Flag iamduckyon September 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Oh, and LizardKingReborn... Lou Reed was originally with the velvet underground.
    Flag Spaced_Boyon August 21, 2007   Link

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