I was walking through Ridgewood, Queens
I was flipping through magazines
I was so (stoned and starving) so stoned and starving

Well, I was reading ingredients
Asking myself "should I eat this?"
I was so (stoned and starving) so stoned and starving

I was scratching off silver ink
I was deciding what to drink
I was so (stoned and starving) so stoned and starving

I was walking through Ridgewood, Queens
And I was flipping through magazines
I was so (stoned and starving) so stoned and starving

Well I was walking through Ridgewood, Queens
I was flipping through magazines
I was so (stoned and starving) so stoned and starving

I was debating Swedish Fish
Roasted peanuts or licorice
I was so (stoned and starving) so stoned and starving

I was holding some wadded bills
I was reading that smoking kills
I was so (stoned and starving) so stoned and starving

I was walking through Ridgewood, Queens
I was flipping through magazines
I was so (stoned and starving) so stoned and starving

Overall Meaning

The character in Parquet Courts' song "Stoned and Starving" is in a state of intense physical hunger and mental detachment brought on by marijuana use. The song sets a vivid scene of walking through the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens, New York, flipping through magazines in a convenience store while debating what to eat and drink. The repetition of the phrase "stoned and starving" throughout the song emphasizes the character's state of mind and gives the song a slightly manic and repetitive quality.

The lyrics highlight a relatable experience for anyone who has found themselves in a similar state after smoking weed - the intense hunger and confusion that can, at times, be overwhelming. The song's catchy melody and insistent beat capture the energy and urgency of the situation. Beyond the immediate experience of physical and mental hunger, the lyrics also seem to hint at a feeling of aimlessness or detachment. The character is wandering through the city, flipping through magazines, and scratching off silver ink without any clear sense of direction or purpose.

Overall, "Stoned and Starving" is a brilliantly observed and wryly funny song that captures a specific moment and experience in a way that feels both real and relatable.

Line by Line Meaning

I was walking through Ridgewood, Queens
I was casually strolling through a neighborhood in Queens, New York

I was flipping through magazines
I was browsing through a stack of magazines, perhaps looking for a distraction or entertainment

I was so (stoned and starving) so stoned and starving
I was experiencing both hunger and the effects of cannabis, and these sensations were intense

Well, I was reading ingredients
I was scrutinizing the nutritional makeup of foods, possibly due to a restricted diet or health concerns

Asking myself "should I eat this?"
I was questioning the merits of various food choices, perhaps debating the pros and cons of indulging in a treat

I was scratching off silver ink
I was engaging in a scratch-off lottery game with a silver overlay that needed to be removed to reveal potential winnings

I was deciding what to drink
I was contemplating a beverage selection, perhaps seeking something refreshing or hydrating

And I was flipping through magazines
I continued my activity of browsing through the selection of magazines

I was debating Swedish Fish
I was considering whether or not to purchase a particular candy known as Swedish Fish

Roasted peanuts or licorice
I was weighing the pros and cons of two snack options, one being roasted peanuts and the other being licorice

I was holding some wadded bills
I had a crumpled sum of cash in my possession

I was reading that smoking kills
I was reading a warning label or sign about the dangers of smoking, which may have influenced my decision-making

I was walking through Ridgewood, Queens
I continued my earlier activity of walking through the neighborhood

I was flipping through magazines
I was still checking out various magazines for some form of entertainment or distraction

I was so (stoned and starving) so stoned and starving
I remained in a state of both hunger and the effects of cannabis, and these sensations persisted

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Andrew Christopher Savage, Austin Brown, Max Savage, Sean Yeaton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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