Eugene Kelly formed The Vaselines in 1986 with Frances McKee and was a member until 1990 when the band split up. Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was a fan of the band and two covers of songs by The Vaselines were included on their Incesticide album.
In 1990 Kelly formed another band called Captain America but was forced to change the name after an objection from the company Marvel Comics, the band then became known as Eugenius. He has had a number of collaborations with Evan Dando of The Lemonheads and in 2003 Eugene released a solo album, Man Alive.
In 2006, he toured with Isobel Campbell, replacing Mark Lanegan when performing songs from Ballad of the Broken Seas, and supporting Mogwai, as well, as in Madrid on October 1, 2006.
I'm Done With Drugs
Eugene Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pornography and casual sex
I'm done with drink and late night fun
My hedonism's all been done
Because I have finally found you
And I want to build my world around you
Sonic Youth, The Rites of Spring
I'll mend my ways I'll cut my hair
I'll even change the clothes I wear
Because I have finally found you
And I want to build my world around you
Feels like something's got to change
Please don't let me turn out strange
Feels like something's got to change
Please don't let me down
Because I have finally found you
And I want to build my world around you
Because I have finally found you
And I want to build my world around you
In Eugene Kelly's song, "I'm Done With Drugs", the songwriter expresses a transformative experience in their life. The lyrics detail an abandonment of destructive habits and an embrace of a new way of living. The song begins with a list of vices that Kelly claims to have given up: drugs, cigarettes, pornography, and casual sex. The next verse describes a turn away from noisy music and a newfound willingness to shape their appearance to match their new way of life. The chorus, repeated twice, spells out Kelly's motivation for the change: they have found someone worth building their world around.
Listening to the song, it becomes clear that Kelly has found something significant in this person. They sing with a sense of certainty and conviction, as if the decision to abandon their former life was an easy one to make. Though the song doesn't give specifics as to who this person might be, it's clear that they are the catalyst for a transformation and the source of inspiration guiding Kelly forward.
The lines "Feels like something's got to change / Please don't let me turn out strange" are particularly striking. They suggest a fear that without this newfound sense of direction, the songwriter might fall back into old habits or become something they don't want to be. There's a vulnerability present here that is otherwise absent from the song. Ultimately, however, the chorus reassures the listener that Kelly's transformation is for the better: "And I want to build my world around you / Because I have finally found you."
Line by Line Meaning
I'm done with drugs and cigarettes
I have quit using drugs and smoking cigarettes.
Pornography and casual sex
I have stopped watching and engaging in casual sex and pornography.
I'm done with drink and late night fun
I have stopped drinking and partying late at night.
My hedonism's all been done
I have indulged in all the pleasures I desired, but now I am ready to move on.
Because I have finally found you
I have found someone who has made me want to change my lifestyle.
And I want to build my world around you
I want to create a life and future with this person at the center.
I'm done with noise and all it brings
I have had enough of the noise and chaos that comes with certain types of music and lifestyles.
Sonic Youth, The Rites of Spring
These are examples of bands that represent the type of music and lifestyle that I am leaving behind.
I'll mend my ways I'll cut my hair
I am willing to change and be a different person, both physically and mentally.
I'll even change the clothes I wear
I will alter my superficial appearance to match the changes I am making internally.
Feels like something's got to change
I feel a strong need to change my life for the better.
Please don't let me turn out strange
I am worried that if I do not change, I may end up leading a strange or unfavorable life.
Please don't let me down
I am counting on this person to support me as I make these positive changes in my life.
Because I have finally found you
This person has given me the motivation and desire to change my life.
And I want to build my world around you
I want to make this person the center of my world and future.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Eugene Kelly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind