White Light/White Heat
David Bowie feat. Lou Reed Lyrics
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White light, and don't you know its gonna make me go blind
White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
White light, ooo have mercy white light have it goodness knows
White light, white light goin' messin' up my brain
White light, aww white light its gonna drive me insane
White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
Hmm hmm, white light
Aww I surely do love to watch that stuff tip itself in
Hmm hmm, white light
Watch that side, watch that side don't you know it gonna be dead in the drive
Hmm hmm, white heat
Hey foxy mama watchin' her walk down the street
Hmm hmm, white light
Come up side your head gonna make a deadend on your street
White light, white light moved in me through my brain
White light, white light goin' makin' you go insane
White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
White light, aww white light I said now goodness knows
White light, aww white light it lighten up my eyes
White light, don't you know it fills me up with surprise
White light, aww white heat tickle me down to my toes
White light, aww white light I tell you now goodness knows, now work it
Hmm hmm, white light
Aww she surely do moves me
Hmm hmm, white light
Watch that speed freak, watch that speed freak everybody gonna go and make it every week
Hmm hmm, white heat
Aww sputter mutter everybody gonna go kill their mother
Hmm hmm, white light
Here she comes, here she comes, everybody get 'n gone make me run to her
The song White Light White Heat by David Bowie feat. Lou Reed is an ode to the effects of drugs, specifically amphetamines or speed. The lyrics speak to the intense sensory experience of the drug, starting with the white light and white heat that messes up the mind and makes one feel as if they are going insane. The repetition of these lines throughout the song emphasizes the overwhelming effects of the drug. The lyrics also allude to the dangers of drug use, with lines like "gonna make me go blind" and "everybody gonna go kill their mother."
The song is a collaboration between two rock legends, David Bowie and Lou Reed. They performed the song together live at a few concerts in the 1970s. The song was originally written and recorded by Reed's band, The Velvet Underground, in 1968. Bowie's cover of the song was released in 1974 on his album David Live.
White Light White Heat is often noted for its raw energy and chaotic sound. The song's fast-paced tempo and distorted guitar riffs were revolutionary for their time and helped pave the way for the punk rock movement of the late 1970s.
Line by Line Meaning
White light, white light goin' messin' up my mind
The brightness of white light disturbs my mental peace
White light, and don't you know its gonna make me go blind
The intense glare of the white light has the potential to damage my eyesight
White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
The intense heat generated by the light is giving me physical pleasure
White light, ooo have mercy white light have it goodness knows
The bright light is causing discomfort and the artist hopes for some divine intervention
White light, white light goin' messin' up my brain
The bright light is also affecting the cognitive abilities of the artist
White light, aww white light its gonna drive me insane
The intensity of the light is enough to make the singer feel insane
White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
The physical pleasure from the intense heat continues
White light, aww white light I said now goodness knows, do it
The artist orders the white light to keep shining despite the discomfort it is causing
Hmm hmm, white light
The artist expresses appreciation for the brightness of the light
Aww I surely do love to watch that stuff tip itself in
The artist enjoys watching the effect of the light on objects around them
Watch that side, watch that side don't you know it gonna be dead in the drive
The singer warns to be careful of the dangerous effects of the light on the surroundings
Hey foxy mama watchin' her walk down the street
The artist admires the appearance of a woman walking by
Come up side your head gonna make a deadend on your street
The light has such a powerful effect that it may bring an end to the singer's way of life
White light, white light moved in me through my brain
The light has now penetrated the singer's mind completely
White light, white light goin' makin' you go insane
The brightness of the light not only affects the singer but affects others around as well
White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
The same pleasurable sensation continues to be experienced despite the negative effects of the light
White light, aww white light I said now goodness knows
The artist again asks for divine intervention as the intensity of the light is too much to handle
White light, aww white light it lighten up my eyes
The light brightens up the eyes of the singer
White light, don't you know it fills me up with surprise
The intensity of the light takes the singer by surprise
White light, aww white heat tickle me down to my toes
The physical pleasure from the heat continues
White light, aww white light I tell you now goodness knows, now work it
Despite the discomfort caused by the light, the artist encourages it to continue shining
Aww she surely do moves me
The artist is highly impressed by a woman's movements
Watch that speed freak, watch that speed freak everybody gonna go and make it every week
The singer warns about the destructive effects of drug abuse
Aww sputter mutter everybody gonna go kill their mother
The artist expresses frustration with people's erratic behavior under the influence of drugs
Here she comes, here she comes, everybody get 'n gone make me run to her
The singer is excited to see the woman again and urges everyone else around to stay out of the way
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind