Throughout the 90's, Ghoulspoon forged its own path and gained a reputation and following in the SoCal area through hard work and regional touring with the likes of Incubus, Korn, 311, Deftones, No Doubt, Sublime, Kid Rock, System of a Down, Static-X, Sugar Ray, Foo Fighters, The Cult, Snot, Kottonmouth Kings, Powerman 5000, and (hed) pe among many others. The band earned a huge fan base and many accolades including handfulls of San Diego Music Awards nominations and 1 win for "Best Hard Rock/Metal Band" in 2001.
Over its career, Ghoulspoon released several demos and 3 albums - “To Serve Man (1993)”, “Medication (1996)”, and “Fever (1999)”, selling over 10,000 units without the help of a manager, booking agent, or major record label. After going through years of lineup changes and enough scandal and debauchery to fill a two part VH1 Special, the band changed a few members and was reborn as Divided by Zero in 2002.
Medication
Ghoulspoon Lyrics
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The love that we crave
These are all forms of
Medication
The god that we heed
The laws that we need
These are all forms of
Can you slip into a state of mind at will?
If you could you would never need that pill
My words are empty it matters what you do
The sky is open and I become you
The pigs we become
The further we run
These are all forms of medication
The children we raise
The time that we waste
These are all forms of
Medication
If we can inject the cure for pain
We all do it
If we can extend beyond the frame
We all do it
If we can try to pass the blame
We all do it
But I can't hide the shame
Medication
In Ghoulspoon's song "Medication", the lyrics discuss the various forms of medication that people use to cope with life. The song touches on drugs, love, religion, laws, and even mundane day-to-day activities as forms of self-medication. The first two lines of the chorus articulate the overarching theme: "The drugs that we take, the love that we crave, these are all forms of medication. The god that we heed, the laws that we need, these are all forms of medication."
The second verse poses a question, urging the listener to consider if they can control their own state of mind without external help. The lyrics suggest that if we could control our minds at will, we would never need to rely on medication. The song then encourages personal responsibility, reminding the listener that words are empty without action. The final line of the verse, "The sky is open, and I become you", suggests that connecting with a higher power, whether it be a deity or simply the universe, can offer an alternative way to "medicate" without relying on external sources.
The chorus repeats, adding the line "The pigs we become the further we run, these are all forms of medication," which can be interpreted as the negative consequences of over-reliance on medication or harmful coping mechanisms. The final verse addresses the human tendency to pass on the burden of responsibility and blame, but ultimately the shame cannot be hidden.
Line by Line Meaning
The drugs that we take
Everything from prescription medication to recreational drug use
The love that we crave
The desire for human connection and romantic relationships as a way to medicate feelings of loneliness or emptiness
These are all forms of
All of the following lines can be categorized as forms of 'medication' - ways we try to alleviate pain or fill internal voids
The god that we heed
Religion and spirituality as a way to find meaning and purpose in life and cope with struggles
The laws that we need
The societal and legal frameworks we rely on to feel safe and stable
Can you slip into a state of mind at will?
Can you control your own thoughts and emotions, or are you reliant on external substances to achieve a certain state?
If you could you would never need that pill
Implying that if we had complete control over our minds and emotions, we would not need medication of any form
My words are empty it matters what you do
Suggesting that the power to heal or medicate oneself comes from within, not from external sources such as the artist or society.
The sky is open and I become you
Possibly referencing the feelings of transcendence or connection with a higher power that can come from spirituality or drug use
The pigs we become
The negative aspects of our personality or behavior that emerge when we rely too heavily on external sources of medication
The further we run
The more we try and escape or distract ourselves from internal pain or discomfort, the more we become reliant on medication
The children we raise
The responsibility and obligations of raising a family or caring for others as a form of medication or distraction
The time that we waste
The hours or days we spend engaging in unproductive or unhealthy behaviors or thought patterns as a way to cope with internal struggles
If we can inject the cure for pain
If there was a medical solution that would instantly fix all of our internal discomfort or struggles
We all do it
Most people would take this shortcut to feeling better if given the opportunity
If we can extend beyond the frame
If we could transcend the limitations of our bodies, minds, or social structures
If we can try to pass the blame
If we can avoid taking responsibility for our own actions or emotions
But I can't hide the shame
Despite attempting to medicate or escape from internal struggles, a sense of shame or self-awareness can still linger
Medication
The overarching theme of the song - all of the ways we attempt to medicate or cope with internal struggles, both helpful and harmful
Contributed by Annabelle P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.