High
Johnson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Way back on the corner
Said that you didn't want them those old 45’s
Since you decided we’re over
I've been stone sober
Doing nothing but time
But that first sting of the needle
Brings on the feelings been keeping inside
Gonna get lost in the vinyl let the music rewind me
Baby, baby tonight will be a record high
If I didn’t know any better
I’d swear that you left em
Cause you knew what i’d do
I’d turn em up loud
Let em spin me around
And start thinking about you
That first sting of the needle
Brings on the feelings been keeping inside
Gonna get lost in the vinyl let the music rewind me
Baby, baby tonight will be a record high
But that first sting of the needle
Brings on the feelings been keeping inside
Gonna get lost in the vinyl let the music rewind me
Baby, baby tonight will be a record high




Way back on the corner
Said that you didnt want them, those old 45’s

Overall Meaning

The song “High” by Johnson speaks about using music as a means of coping with a breakup. Johnson describes how his ex-partner did not want his old records and how he has been sober ever since they broke up. He goes on to state that he gets lost in the music and allows himself to feel the emotions he has been bottling up. The phrase “baby, baby tonight will be a record high” refers to the euphoric feeling he gets while listening to music and how it is a temporary escape from the pain of heartbreak.


The first stanza sets the scene for the rest of the song. Johnson is on a corner where he was once told his old records were not wanted, possibly by his ex-partner. He states that ever since the breakup, he has been sober and doing nothing but passing time. The second stanza describes how he feels after listening to his records. The initial sting of the needle on the record player brings out the emotions that he has tried to suppress since the breakup. He then gets lost in the music and rewinds it repeatedly, allowing himself to feel the emotions he has been keeping inside.


The chorus repeats the same lines to reinforce the feelings Johnson experiences when listening to his records. The last stanza repeats the first stanza, ending the song on a reflective note. The use of old records and the sound of vinyl add a nostalgic tone to the song, emphasizing the temporary relief that music can provide.


Line by Line Meaning

Way back on the corner
Referring to a past time when the singer and their partner made a statement about old vinyl records


Said that you didn't want them those old 45’s
The partner expressed disinterest in old vinyl records, specifically 45s


Since you decided we’re over
The singer and their partner ended their relationship


I've been stone sober
The artist hasn't been drinking or using drugs since the breakup


Doing nothing but time
The artist has been passing time doing nothing significant


But that first sting of the needle
The singer is referring to the feeling of playing a vinyl record


Brings on the feelings been keeping inside
Playing vinyl records is therapeutic and allows the singer to feel emotions they've been suppressing


Gonna get lost in the vinyl let the music rewind me
The artist plans to get lost in the music and the physical process of playing vinyl records as a form of escape or release


Baby, baby tonight will be a record high
The artist anticipates feeling emotional or even high from listening to vinyl, possibly in a nostalgic or sentimental way


If I didn't know any better
The artist is questioning the coincidence of their partner leaving behind some old records they claimed not to want


I'd swear that you left em
The singer suspects their ex-partner intentionally left behind the old records to provoke a reaction


Cause you knew what I'd do
The ex-partner anticipated the artist getting caught up listening to the records as a way of processing their emotions


I'd turn em up loud
The singer plans to play the records at a high volume


Let em spin me around
The singer looks forward to physically getting caught up in the music by dancing or moving to the rhythm


And start thinking about you
Playing the records will inevitably remind the singer of their ex-partner and their relationship


Way back on the corner
Repeating the first line to reinforce the idea of reminiscing about a past event or place


Said that you didn't want them, those old 45’s
Repeating an earlier line to emphasize the significance of the old records and the ex-partner's alleged disinterest in them


But that first sting of the needle
Repeating a earlier line to reinforce the idea that playing vinyl is an emotional experience for the singer


Brings on the feelings been keeping inside
Repeating an earlier line to reinforce the therapeutic effects of playing vinyl for the singer


Gonna get lost in the vinyl let the music rewind me
Repeating an earlier line, possibly for emphasis or to express the artist's determination to fully immerse themselves in the music


Baby, baby tonight will be a record high
Repeating an earlier line, possibly as a catchphrase or summarizing statement for the song's sentiment




Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Kelli Johnson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@user-jp6od5sn1k

Story of my life!!!
20 months and 3 days sober, thank God for the love of a woman to get my head out of my ass. I did indeed squander my chance with her but her influence saved my life!
Plenty of regrets but damn it feels good to be sober. !
To all who struggle, it isn't easy but its worth it. !

@stevemartin164

Hang in there bro.... Better days is on the way....👍

@user-jp6od5sn1k

​@@stevemartin164...I believe that sir! Thank you.

@MonicaRood-xu7ow

I'm here for the comments, I'm leaning on them for support right now. My husband in bad shape and I'm hanging on to God. This song 🎵 is it. I'm speaking for him. Cause I know. I see myself falling back into drinking but knowing I'm not alone pulls me thru. THANK YOU JAMEY JOHNSON AND FANS. I needed this. ❤ much love and prayers for all.

@frankwall5177

Stay strong if not for yourself then your loved ones. Easy to say a real bitch to live. Been where you’re at it isn’t easy.

@Layne-jv2zt

Hang in there

@hihowisyourday5695

Just a suggestion that worked for me, turn the lights off and let your mind go ........before you know it you calm yourself down get some sleep or at least rest and help reset my mind....good luck I'm praying for you both.....God bless

@iamjames8403

You have to do the things you do not want to do before a miracle can happen.
Miracles do happen.
From a former alcoholic/addict.
12 Step programs can help and do help some sometimes even saving lives but you have to do the things you don't want to do.

@lindaanderson8796

💖🙏

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@dellcarr9805

It’s beautiful to live without substances. To all my recovering addicts. Stay strong. Love you all.

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