In 2012, Charli XCX rose to prominence with the Icona Pop collaboration "I Love It", which became an international success, reaching top 10 in North America and Europe. Her debut studio album, True Romance (2013), was released that year to critical acclaim, despite not meeting commercial expectations. In 2014, she contributed the chorus and hook to "Fancy" by rapper Iggy Azalea, which finished the year as one of the best-selling singles worldwide and was nominated for two Grammy Awards. The same year, Charli XCX released "Boom Clap", which became her first solo top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100. Her second studio album, the pop/rock-influenced Sucker, was released at the end of the year, and spawned the successful singles "Break the Rules" and "Doing It".
In 2015, Charli XCX began working with producers and artists in A. G. Cook's British collective PC Music, as well as producer Sophie. While working on her third album, she released the Vroom Vroom EP in 2016 and the mixtapes Number 1 Angel and Pop 2 in 2017, as well as a series of singles including the BPI-certified "After the Afterparty", "Boys", and "1999". In 2019, Charli XCX released her third studio album, Charli, which was followed by her fourth studio album, How I'm Feeling Now, which she recorded and released during the UK's first national lockdown in 2020. Charli's latest addition to her discography is CRASH, released on 18 March 2022, including the singles Good Ones and New Shapes.
In addition to her solo work, Charli XCX has co-written songs for other artists including Camila Cabello, Rita Ora, Selena Gomez, and many more.
Drugs
Charli XCX Lyrics
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Eh-eh-XCX
Baby, you the love of my life
Selling all the drugs that I like
Baby, you got it
You know I want it
And baby, you the love of my life
Baby, you got it
You know I want it
Calling out for your love
Baby, I'm calling out, I can't do without you
Put ecstasy on my tongue and that's all I'm tasting now
You're luxurious, I'm stuck
Champagne, cigarettes, convertibles
It's 'bout to pop off
Bitin' on a rose, you make me come
I'm way up, rooftop
You hurt me when you stop
I just can't get enough, dealer
Baby, you the love of my life
Selling all the drugs that I like
Baby, you got it
You know I want it
You're selling all the drugs that I like
Baby, you the love of my life
Baby, you got it
You know I want it
I was never good at dealing with no comedown
So feel free to come around when you wanna come 'round
You're my favourite drug, just take me to your underworld
And put me on your tongue, hallucinate until your toes curl
Tsu-tsunami, you can't stop me now, I'm peaking too
Off that kiki, and hypnotic, I'm not through with you
When you come, it feels like diamonds raining down on me
When I'm with you, heaven on Earth is not a fantasy
Roll the windows down, my wrists are ice, you got me so cold
Bitin' on a flower, blood like water down from my nose
It hurts, but I can't stop
I just can't get enough (I can't get enough)
Baby, you the love of my life
Selling all the drugs that I like (Selling all the drugs that I like)
Baby, you got it
You know I want it (yeah)
And baby, you the love of my life (The love of my life)
Selling all the drugs that I like (Selling all the drugs that I like)
Baby, you got it
You know I want it oh oh
Dealer, dealer, dealer, ooh
Dealer, dealer, dealer
Baby, you the love of my life
Selling all the drugs that I like, yeah
Love of my life, love of my life
Love, love, love, love
Drugs that I like
Love of my life, love of my life
Love, love, love, love
Drugs that I like
Love of my life, love of my life
Love, love, love, love
Drugs that I like
Love of my life, love of my life
Love, love, love, love
Drugs that I like
Eh-eh-XCX
The lyrics to Charli XCX's song "Drugs" speak about an intense, addictive relationship with a drug dealer. The singer describes the dealer as the love of her life, selling all the drugs she likes, and she can’t do without him. The lyrics paint a picture of a luxurious lifestyle of champagne, cigarettes, and convertibles. The singer describes how the dealer’s drugs offer an escape into a hallucinatory bliss, where she experiences a feeling like diamonds raining down on her. Despite the pain and constant highs and lows of this addictive relationship, the singer just can’t get enough of it.
The song metaphorically reflects on a toxic relationship built on addiction to drugs rather than love. The composition of the song is interestingly addictive, with Charli XCX using repetitive beats and hypnotic sounds, which reflect on the drug-induced trance the singer can’t get enough of.
Line by Line Meaning
Dealer, dealer, dealer
Addressing the drug dealer, acknowledging them with emphasis and recognition.
Baby, you the love of my life
Selling all the drugs that I like
Baby, you got it
You know I want it
And baby, you the love of my life
Selling all the drugs that I like
Baby, you got it
You know I want it
Expressing love and admiration for the drug dealer as they are the source for the drugs that she loves; also acknowledging that they have what she wants and that she desires them.
Calling out for your love
Baby, I'm calling out, I can't do without you
Put ecstasy on my tongue and that's all I'm tasting now
Expressing a dependence on the drug dealer for her love as well as insinuating that she has just taken ecstasy and is currently consuming only that.
You're luxurious, I'm stuck
Champagne, cigarettes, convertibles
It's 'bout to pop off
Bitin' on a rose, you make me come
I'm way up, rooftop
You hurt me when you stop
I just can't get enough, dealer
Describing her high as luxurious and feeling stuck in the moment; enjoying the luxuries that come with drug use such as champagne and fancy cars; complimenting the drug dealer and describing how he makes her feel; feeling on top of the world and not wanting the high to end.
I was never good at dealing with no comedown
So feel free to come around when you wanna come 'round
You're my favourite drug, just take me to your underworld
And put me on your tongue, hallucinate until your toes curl
Acknowledging that she struggles with coming down from a high and inviting the drug dealer to come back when they want; declaring the drug dealer as her favorite drug and asking to be taken on a trip through his world; desiring to hallucinate and feel a strong physical reaction from the drugs.
Tsu-tsunami, you can't stop me now, I'm peaking too
Off that kiki, and hypnotic, I'm not through with you
When you come, it feels like diamonds raining down on me
When I'm with you, heaven on Earth is not a fantasy
Describing her current high as a tsunami and explaining that she has reached her peak; listing the drugs she has consumed and expressing that she is not done and will keep using them; comparing the feeling of the high to diamonds raining down on her and declaring that she feels like she's in heaven with drugs.
Roll the windows down, my wrists are ice, you got me so cold
Bitin' on a flower, blood like water down from my nose
It hurts, but I can't stop
I just can't get enough (I can't get enough)
Explaining that her physical sensations have changed due to the drugs, including cold wrists and a nosebleed; declaring that she is in pain but doesn't want to stop using drugs and feel their effects anymore.
Dealer, dealer, dealer, ooh
Dealer, dealer, dealer
Baby, you the love of my life
Selling all the drugs that I like, yeah
Ending the song by repeating the acknowledgement of the drug dealer and how important they are to her high.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charlotte Aitchison, Gabrielle Mirville, Alex Cook
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind