Cook's West Virginia-born mother played guitar and mandolin and sang on local radio shows. Her father, a Georgia native, also performed country music and served jail time for running moonshine. Upon his release, he and Elizabeth's mother played in local bands together, eventually marrying. Elizabeth, born in 1972, moved to Nashville in her twenties and quickly got a publishing deal. Demos recorded between 1997 and 2000 comprised her independently released debut album, "The Blue Album", which showcased her formidable songwriting ability and featured such well-known Music City musicians as Tim Carroll, Kenny Vaughan, and Rick Schell.
She made her major label debut in 2002 with "Hey Y'All". But following a corporate re-structuring that left the album virtually abandoned and stagnant on sales, Elizabeth fought back with her 2005 independent release "This Side Of The Moon", which received positive reviews.
Her album "Balls" was released May 2007. It was been her most successful album to date, thanks to glowing press reviews and significant video play for the song "Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be A Woman."
Her 2010 album Welder features appearances by an all-star roster of guests including Dwight Yoakam, Crowell and Buddy Miller, and continued her increasing popularity becoming her highest charting album in the U.S.
Her album "Gospel Plow" was released June 2012.
Cook hosts the morning radio show "Elizabeth Cook's Apron Strings" on the Sirius XM radio station Outlaw Country on Channel 60. The show airs weekdays from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM (Eastern Time). The show format is a mix of Americana, Outlaw, and Alt Country.
In 2016, Cook released her sixth studio album Exodus of Venus.
Official Site
Heroin Addict Sister
Elizabeth Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a pot of potato soup
She's gonna dry out this time if it kills her
She wants the whole family in the loop
She can outsmart death like a stuntman
She's a cat with 99 lives
She's my heroin addict sister
And I've known her all my life
SHE'S MY HEROIN ADDICT SISTER
AND I HATE TO SEE HER GO
AND I HATE TO SEE HER HOLDIN ON
AT THE END OF THE SAME OLE ROPE
She pushes a tiny needle
It's like the devil's DNA
It takes her somewhere she's just gotta go
But can't afford to stay
She stripped for a while in Connecticut
Got married at least 5 times
Every one of them men was crazy about her
So she married a couple of em twice
She's a certified underwater welder
She can cook, clean, and crochet
She can flash a smile from her sweet weary soul
That'll melt all your doubts away
SHE'S MY HEROIN ADDICT SISTER
AND I HATE TO SEE HER GO
AND I HATE TO SEE HER HOLDIN ON
AT THE END OF THE SAME OLE ROPE
She's high at the homeless shelter
When she's had it out with my niece
She don't notice the holes in her clothes
Or perverted Orlando police
I've been so mad I wanted to kill her
So worried I had to cry
Such crazy stories I can't help but laugh
So scared of when she's gonna die
She called outside of Atlanta
Been dodging them big ole trucks
Ya know she cleaned up in Tennessee one time before
She just needs a couple hundred bucks
And she just needs to be with us
We all say thank God mama
Ain't here to go through it this time
She's in heaven telling them Macon County cops
Better give her baby a ride
And they got to her just in time
SHE'S MY HEROINE ADDICT SISTER
AND I HATE TO SEE HER GO
AND I HATE TO SEE HER HOLDIN ON
AT THE END OF THE SAME OLE ROPE
AT THE END OF THE SAME OLE ROPE,
ALWAYS AT THE END OF HER ROPE
The song "Heroin Addict Sister" by Elizabeth Cook is a heartfelt portrayal of her sister's struggles with addiction. In the first verse, Cook describes her sister's determination to finally get clean and involve the whole family in the process. She also highlights her sister's resilience in the face of danger, likening her to a cat with countless lives. These lines suggest that despite her addiction, Cook's sister is a fighter who refuses to give up.
The second verse details her sister's drug use and the toll it takes on her life. Cook explains that heroin takes her sister to a place she needs to go, but can't afford to stay. This suggests that heroin offers some kind of escape or solace for her sister, but it inevitably leads her down a dangerous path.
Throughout the song, Cook expresses her love for her sister and her hopes for her eventual recovery. She also acknowledges the mixed emotions that come with watching a loved one struggle with addiction. The final lines of the song, "Always at the end of her rope," suggest a sense of resignation and sadness, as if Cook knows that her sister's addiction will always be a part of her life.
Overall, "Heroin Addict Sister" is a moving and honest portrayal of addiction and the impact it can have on families. Cook's lyrics offer a glimpse into the complex emotions that come with watching a loved one struggle with addiction, while also showing compassion and empathy for her sister's plight.
Line by Line Meaning
She asked for her mama's bathrobe
She requested comfort from her mother's robe
And a pot of potato soup
Along with comfort, she desired a warm meal
She's gonna dry out this time if it kills her
She's determined to get sober, regardless of the consequences
She wants the whole family in the loop
She desires support from her entire family during her journey to sobriety
She can outsmart death like a stuntman
She believes she can cheat death similar to a thrill-seeker
She's a cat with 99 lives
She's survived many near-death experiences
She's my heroin addict sister
The singer's sibling struggles with heroin addiction
And I've known her all my life
The singer has a long history with her sibling's addiction
She pushes a tiny needle
She injects heroin in small increments
It's like the devil's DNA
The drug is evil and hard to resist
It takes her somewhere she's just gotta go
The drug provides an escape from reality she craves
But can't afford to stay
The consequences of addiction outweigh any temporary relief the drug provides
She stripped for a while in Connecticut
She worked as an exotic dancer in Connecticut for a period of time
Got married at least 5 times
She's been married multiple times
Every one of them men was crazy about her
All of her ex-husbands were infatuated with her
So she married a couple of em twice
She remarried a few of her ex-husbands
She's a certified underwater welder
She's skilled and certified in underwater welding
She can cook, clean, and crochet
She's versatile and proficient in various domestic skills
She can flash a smile from her sweet weary soul
Despite her struggles, she can still radiate warmth and kindness
That'll melt all your doubts away
Her smile can reassure others and ease their concerns
She's high at the homeless shelter
She's under the influence of drugs at a shelter for the homeless
When she's had it out with my niece
She turns to drugs when she has conflicts with family members
She don't notice the holes in her clothes
Her drug use impairs her perception and awareness
Or perverted Orlando police
She's unaware of her surroundings and potential dangers, such as corrupt law enforcement
I've been so mad I wanted to kill her
The singer has experienced intense anger towards her sister's addiction
So worried I had to cry
The singer has also experienced deep worry and sadness for her sister
Such crazy stories I can't help but laugh
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the singer finds some humor in the absurdity of her sister's experiences
So scared of when she's gonna die
The singer fears her sister will not survive her addiction
She called outside of Atlanta
She contacted the singer from somewhere outside of Atlanta
Been dodging them big ole trucks
She's in a dangerous situation while hitchhiking or walking along highways
Ya know she cleaned up in Tennessee one time before
She's successfully achieved sobriety in Tennessee previously
She just needs a couple hundred bucks
She's in need of money to support herself or buy drugs
And she just needs to be with us
She desires the love and support of her family
We all say thank God mama
The family is grateful their mother is not alive to witness the current situation
Ain't here to go through it this time
Their mother would have been deeply affected by the struggle with addiction this time around
She's in heaven telling them Macon County cops
The family believes their mother is in heaven, warning authorities about their sister's situation
Better give her baby a ride
The family wants the authorities to help their sister rather than punish her
And they got to her just in time
The authorities intervened before it was too late
AT THE END OF THE SAME OLE ROPE
The repeated phrase emphasizes the inevitability and desperation of her situation
ALWAYS AT THE END OF HER ROPE
The singer's sister is constantly in a difficult and dangerous situation due to her addiction
Contributed by Isabelle N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Reckless_abandon23
You don't have to quit, but you can't stay here.
@Valentinian8
Truth, soul, honesty, real, alive, and about life, she says it all. Thank you Elizabeth!
@Thomas1971AU
I love the truth, and I love a person who is unafraid to to deliver the truth more!
@billmassy
this song is a true classic
@brandulph
That's one heck of a great voice making a great rendering! Thanks for sharing!
@elizabethcook310gmail
Thanks for been a great fan and supporter of my music career I must let you know I’ve got enormous respect for you as my great fan and supporter. Kindly write me with me with the email above and I promise to reply back.
@tyleralishamaynard5748
I swear she is sing about my life she is an amazing singer
@paulewing5366
I LOVE Elizabeth Cook! 😌🇺🇸ðŸ¤
@forwardobserver6441
5 years clean in august
@shotgunone1
That is one talented woman