The drugs don't work
- The Verve Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I'm comin' down

And I hope you're thinking of me
As you lay down on your side
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

But I know I'm on a losing streak
'Cause I passed down my old street
And if you wanna show, then just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

'Cause baby, ooo, if heaven falls, I'm coming, too
Just like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead

All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I'm comin' down

Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

'Cause baby, ooo, if heaven falls, I'm coming, too
Just like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead

But if you wanna show, just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again

I'm never going down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never going down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more




I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more

Overall Meaning

The Verve's "The Drugs Don't Work" discusses the hardships of dealing with the physical deterioration that is a result of getting older, and the struggles of dealing with the use of medicine. The first verse sets the tone that the thought of getting older is getting the singer down emotionally. He uses the metaphor of a cat in a bag, waiting to drown, as a perception of his life's situation. He then says that he knows he is coming down from the medicine he is taking, which can be seen as a reference to his drug habit, which is not helping the situation.


Despite his issues, the singer states that he hopes his love is thinking of him as she lays down, hopeful for the future. In the chorus, the singer repeats the lyric that the drugs don't work; they just make you worse, yet he believes that he will see his love's face again. The second verse echoes the first verse's sentiment, with the singer stating that even though he is on a losing streak, he will come back up again. He then extends an invitation to his love to let him know whenever she needs him, and the singer will be ready to be there for her. The chorus is repeated, and the final lyrics of the song say that the singer will never go down or come down again.


Overall, the song is a poignant examination of the pitfalls of using drugs to combat age-related changes and serves as a warning to those who may be relying on medication to solve their problems. It is a somber portrait of the cyclical nature of life and how the small glimpses of hope that we find in relationships can help us to continue moving forward.


Line by Line Meaning

All this talk of getting old
The constant reminder of aging is bringing me down


It's getting me down my love
It's having a negative impact on my mental health and emotional state


Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
Feeling trapped and helpless, waiting for something inevitable and unpleasant


This time I'm comin' down
I'm struggling to cope with the situation


And I hope you're thinking of me
I wish you still care about me


As you lay down on your side
When you're alone with your thoughts and feelings


Now the drugs don't work
Medication is not effective in making me feel better


They just make you worse
It's making my condition or state of mind deteriorate


But I know I'll see your face again
You're always on my mind and in my heart


But I know I'm on a losing streak
I feel like I'm constantly facing defeat


'Cause I passed down my old street
Seeing reminders of the past is making me feel lost and hopeless


And if you wanna show, then just let me know
I'm open to reconnecting with you if you are as well


And I'll sing in your ear again
I'll express my love for you like I used to


'Cause baby, ooo, if heaven falls, I'm coming, too
I'll be there for you through thick and thin, no matter what happens


Just like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead
Without you, life has lost its meaning and I feel hopeless


I'm never going down, I'm never coming down
I'm determined to stay strong and not let life's challenges bring me down


No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm done with feeling defeated and hopeless


I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
I refuse to be brought down by my circumstances


No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm done with feeling defeated and hopeless


I'm never going down, I'm never coming down
I'm determined to stay strong and resilient


No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I won't let life's challenges defeat me


I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
I'm committed to staying strong and positive


No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I won't allow negative thoughts to consume me


I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
I'll keep fighting and staying positive no matter what


No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I refuse to give up or let life get me down




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD ASHCROFT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Pride317

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down, my love
Like a cat in a bag
Waiting to drown
This time I'm coming down

[Verse 2]
And I hope you're thinking of me
As you lay down on your side
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

[Chorus]
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

[Verse 3]
But I know I'm on a losing streak
Cause I passed down my old street
And if you want a show
Then just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again

[Chorus]
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

[Bridge]
Cause, Baby, ooh, if heaven calls
I'm coming too
Just like you said
You leave my life
I'm better off dead

[Verse 1]
All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I'm coming down

[Chorus]
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

[Bridge]
Cause baby, ooh, if heaven calls
I'm coming too
Just like you said
You leave my life
I'm better off dead

But if you want a show
Then just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again

[Chorus]
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

[Outro]
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again, oh Lord
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again, oh Lord

I'm never coming down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more



All comments from YouTube:

@TheSuzanne92

My dad died an alcoholic/drug user when I was 16 when I close my eyes I hear his voice singing this song. My dad wasn't perfect but he was my dad. ❤️

@1966vader

So sorry for your loss, :'(

@lisamcneill7459

❤️

@sanlorenzo7003

If my wee boys say the same thing I'll have died happy 💖🖤💖

@davidcann2550

Sorry to hear that so sad

@ryanleone5805

So sorry for your loss. You’ll see him again, someday. Promise. ❤️

503 More Replies...

@patrickgallagher6285

My son is a single father he's only26 but has brain cancer,,this song tears me up,,,please say a prayer for Kyle

@millyjay-7271

Kyle is in my 🙏....😮

@Tityretupatulae

Of course 🙏🏻 🍀

@susanhoward47

I will pray for him x

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