I Don't Smoke
James Droll Lyrics

In James Droll's song "I Don't Smoke," the singer is reflecting on his feelings towards a past lover. In the first verse, he admits that he is drawn to her, but also acknowledges that being with her is difficult. He compares love to something that should come naturally and be easy, but in reality, their relationship had ended too easily. He reveals that he associates the taste of whiskey with her and how his chapped lips remind him of her, indicating that their relationship may have been passionate but destructive. He also cautions the lover to keep the receipts and hide the tags, suggesting that he fears being used or taken advantage of by her.

In the chorus, the repetition of the phrase "I only smoke when I drink about you" shows that the singer is using drinking and smoking as a coping mechanism for dealing with the emotions he still has towards his past lover. He admits that he had promised to quit smoking, but he can't because thoughts of her still weigh on him. The second verse is more confrontational, as the singer addresses the lover directly, wondering why she touched him in the first place. He suggests that she only looks good on paper, implying that their relationship was superficial and not based on true compatibility. He likens her to someone who needs a chaser after a shot, while he likes the flavor. He acknowledges that she has moved on with her life, but he feels left behind, highlighting that she is running her rat race too fast.

Overall, "I Don't Smoke" is a song about heartbreak and reflection. It is a reminder that sometimes, we hold onto things that may be bad for us just because they feel familiar or are associated with a past love. The song also explores the idea of the coping mechanisms people use to deal with heartbreak, and how they may not be the healthiest habits.