The end of 2008 saw Grieves enlisting the help of friend and collaborator Budo to co-produce Together/Apart bringing his signature swiss-army knife, multi-instrumental backdrop to Grieves' hauntingly poignant narrative. The album began taking shape in New York as the two built off the success 88 Keys and Counting had generated and paired it with the intensity they developed from their live performances. The recording process began to shadow the theme of the album as it saw tracks recorded in Colorado and Washington in addition to New York, infusing it with a mixture of regional influences while still maintaining a cohesive sound. As the album neared completion the title took on a double meaning for Grieves as he explored new subject matter in the absence of trust, refuge in addiction, acceptance and honesty in self-reflection, and trying to find his place in the world without forgetting his roots.
Vice Grip
Grieves Lyrics
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Hand shaking cause the vice never fights fair
And you're relating cause' you struggle with the same shit
And wrote the threat of addiction off with the same sip
Drowning, holding on to anything and everything around me, staring down the barrel of a browning
Scowering, looking for any chance that allows me to sip another bad taste down and devour it whole
Young bright and bold with a bottle for a friend and a heart full of holes
No diamond in a stocking full of coal
It's abusive, but never hands on a women, choked a couple bottle necks and pounced when I shouldn't
If the proof is in the pudding I done ate it all up, instead of savoring the taste I love
I'm on that shit again and I don't wanna come back down
I hold my broken crown I pieces
Pour my last shot to the ground
You're on that shit again, trying to overload my mound
You always chase me round in circles till I'm forced to hit the clouds
I won't come down
What's your meaning of high, huh?
Getting lifted on a smoke cloud, moderately poisoning yourself until you zone out?
Stick the dragon in your veins, sniffing Adderall and Cain, tilt another Styrofoam cup to your mouth
Me? I got my ow way to get up, starts with a rocks glass and ends with a hiccup
And all the while I've been camouflaging my symptoms like I don't do the harder drugs cause I slip up
Slip up - yeah that kid slipped up - rehabilitated twice and skipped straight to the pub
I got my pops freaking out about his son and I'm juggling the stress of an artist by getting drunk
No difference
I escape like the rest of them, no thought, no faith like the rest of them
I've been focusing and fighting so hard that I deserve a little bit of R & R, right?
I'm on that shit again and I don't wanna come back down
I hold my broken crown I pieces
Pour my last shot to the ground
You're on that shit again, trying to overload my mound
You always chase me round in circles till I'm forced to hit the clouds
I won't come down
I never claimed to be a saint, shit
I built a life off of mishaps
And cheers proudly to my flaws with a chipped glass
The sick fact is I'm happy when I'm shit-canned
At least a little bit, I smile like a lit candle
But I'm aware that I'm just blinded by the blanket of it
And stress doesn't get relinquished just by drinking something
And I don't know if I'm addicted to the feeling or the fact that I can make a little exit without thinking of it
Hell, I guess I'm showing all the signs huh?
And redirecting to where that alcohol defines fun
And I'll admit that I've been known to have a good time, but promised that I'd never cross the line
But never learned to draw it, call it, write it with a goal, make it so the night train never gets to go
I'm as vulnerable as any of you other Joe Shmoe's and got a couple little vices of my own.
I'm on that shit again and I don't wanna come back down
I hold my broken crown I pieces
Pour my last shot to the ground
You're on that shit again, trying to overload my mound
You always chase me round in circles till I'm forced to hit the clouds
I won't come down
The lyrics of Grieves's song "Vice Grip" talk about struggles with addiction and self-destructive behaviors. The song opens with the singer acknowledging the aftermath of heavy drinking, his hands shaking from the "vice" that never fights fair. He addresses the listener who can relate to the same struggles and deflects the threat of addiction with another sip. The singer admits to drowning in self-destructive behavior, holding on to everything around him, staring down the barrel of a browning.
The second verse shows the singer confiding in his addiction and understanding that he is spiraling down a slippery slope. The song illustrates how addiction creeps up on you secretly, and the singer observes this as he acknowledges that he wears his broken crown proudly. He is not a saint but has learned to embrace his flaws and is happy when he's shit-canned.
In conclusion, "Vice Grip" is a raw and honest portrayal of substance abuse and addiction. It is a common theme in rap music where it often glorifies the use of drugs and alcohol. However, the song stands out for its honest and unembellished description of the struggle with addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at what the cat dragged in, still breathing last night's air
I feel hungover and gross from my recent drinking/gambling/partying, and I'm still stuck in that mindset.
Hand shaking cause the vice never fights fair
I have physical symptoms of addiction, such as shaking hands, and I feel like it's a fight I can't win.
And you're relating cause' you struggle with the same shit
I know other people also struggle with addiction and can relate to my experiences.
And wrote the threat of addiction off with the same sip
I initially dismissed the dangers of addiction and now realize that it's a real threat to my well-being.
Drowning, holding on to anything and everything around me, staring down the barrel of a browning
I feel like I'm drowning and grasping for anything to hold onto, and I'm aware that my addiction could have fatal consequences.
Scowering, looking for any chance that allows me to sip another bad taste down and devour it whole
I'm constantly searching for opportunities to indulge in my addiction, even if it means consuming something that tastes terrible.
Young bright and bold with a bottle for a friend and a heart full of holes
I was once full of promise and potential, but now my addiction has left me feeling empty and alone.
No diamond in a stocking full of coal
I'm not a shining example of success, despite the fact that I had opportunities and advantages.
Never listen to the world when it told me I should slow my roll
I ignored warnings and advice from others to slow down and take better care of myself.
It's abusive, but never hands on a women, choked a couple bottle necks and pounced when I shouldn't
My addiction is harmful and abusive, but I've never physically hurt anyone else, just myself.
If the proof is in the pudding I done ate it all up, instead of savoring the taste I love
I've indulged in my addiction to the point where it's no longer enjoyable or satisfying, but I can't stop.
I'm on that shit again and I don't wanna come back down
I'm currently indulging in my addiction and don't want to face the reality of my situation.
I hold my broken crown I pieces
I'm struggling to hold onto my sense of self and identity, which feels shattered and incomplete.
Pour my last shot to the ground
I'm trying to resist the temptation to keep drinking or using, and I'm pouring out my last shot as a symbolic gesture.
You're on that shit again, trying to overload my mound
Someone else is trying to encourage me to indulge in my addiction, despite my attempts to resist.
You always chase me round in circles till I'm forced to hit the clouds
This person or situation constantly triggers my addictive behavior, and I feel like I'm unable to escape it.
What's your meaning of high, huh?
I'm questioning why I'm drawn to the feeling of being high, and what it means to me.
Getting lifted on a smoke cloud, moderately poisoning yourself until you zone out?
I'm reflecting on the different ways people get high, and pointing out the health risks involved in smoking or ingesting drugs.
Stick the dragon in your veins, sniffing Adderall and Cain, tilt another Styrofoam cup to your mouth
I'm describing the dangerous and addictive behaviors some people engage in, using drugs like heroin or cocaine and drinking from Styrofoam cups typically used for alcohol.
Me? I got my ow way to get up, starts with a rocks glass and ends with a hiccup
I have my own preferred method of getting high, which involves drinking alcohol and often leads to vomiting.
And all the while I've been camouflaging my symptoms like I don't do the harder drugs cause I slip up
I've been hiding my addiction from others and downplaying the severity of it by avoiding harder drugs.
Slip up - yeah that kid slipped up - rehabilitated twice and skipped straight to the pub
I've been to rehab twice, but I still struggle with my addiction and often turn to drinking as a coping mechanism.
I got my pops freaking out about his son and I'm juggling the stress of an artist by getting drunk
My father is worried about my well-being and my addiction, while I'm trying to balance the pressures of being an artist and cope with my stress through drinking.
No difference
I don't see a significant difference between myself and other people who struggle with addiction.
I escape like the rest of them, no thought, no faith like the rest of them
I use my addiction as a way to escape from my problems, just like many other people who struggle with addiction.
I've been focusing and fighting so hard that I deserve a little bit of R & R, right?
I've been working hard to resist my addiction, and I feel like I deserve a break or some relaxation time.
I never claimed to be a saint, shit
I'm admitting that I'm not perfect and have made mistakes, especially in regards to my addiction.
I built a life off of mishaps
My life has been shaped by the mistakes and struggles I've faced, including my addiction.
And cheers proudly to my flaws with a chipped glass
I try to embrace my imperfections and flaws, even as they contribute to my addiction.
The sick fact is I'm happy when I'm shit-canned
I recognize that my addiction is unhealthy and harmful, but I still derive a sense of pleasure or happiness from being drunk or high.
At least a little bit, I smile like a lit candle
Even if it's only temporary, being drunk or high can make me feel happy and content.
But I'm aware that I'm just blinded by the blanket of it
I know that my addiction is preventing me from seeing things clearly and objectively, and that my sense of happiness is likely temporary.
And stress doesn't get relinquished just by drinking something
I'm aware that drinking or getting high won't actually solve my problems or relieve my stress in the long run.
And I don't know if I'm addicted to the feeling or the fact that I can make a little exit without thinking of it
I'm not sure if I'm addicted to the feeling of being drunk or high, or if I'm addicted to the escape it provides me from my problems and responsibilities.
Hell, I guess I'm showing all the signs huh?
I'm acknowledging that my behavior and thoughts are indicative of addiction, and I'm struggling to come to terms with it.
And redirecting to where that alcohol defines fun
I'm aware that my addiction has distorted my sense of what's enjoyable or fun, and that I now associate fun with drinking or getting high.
And I'll admit that I've been known to have a good time, but promised that I'd never cross the line
I've enjoyed being drunk or high in the past, but I've always thought that I could control my use and avoid crossing a certain threshold.
But never learned to draw it, call it, write it with a goal, make it so the night train never gets to go
I never developed a clear plan or strategy for managing my addiction, and I let myself indulge to the point where I can't stop.
I'm as vulnerable as any of you other Joe Shmoe's and got a couple little vices of my own.
I'm just as susceptible to addiction as anyone else, and I have my own flaws and weaknesses to contend with.
I won't come down
I feel like I can't or don't want to face the reality of my addiction, and I don't want to stop being high or drunk.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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