Their music can be described as guitar-based singer-songwriter rock or folk-rock. It ranges from very delicate and intimate singer-songwriter songs to songs that are stronger, more active and louder. Sam’s smoky, enigmatic voice is the band's best known characteristic. In the seven years between The Great Subconscious Club and Almost Happy the music changed from raw and guitar-based to a more subtle and delicate sound. Sam and Gert write most of the music and lyrics. Most of it is written separately.
Sam mainly tries to express ideas in his songs, and has a hand in writing silly and tongue-in-cheek songs. Gert has one big theme: losing the one you love. While most of the songs are easily accessible and open, some others are strange and incomprehensible. This led Sam to comment: "Listening to the lyrics in the first time, you may find it hard to understand their meaning. When you listen to them a second time you may sense a basic truth in these cryptic words. If you do so, please let me know."
This band appeared in an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Doppelgangland) with the song Virgin State of Mind, leading to a boost in popularity.Their most popular song 'Not an addict' can be heard in the movie 'Wild things'.
K's Choice fifth studio album, "Echo Mountain" (after the studios where it was recorded - Echo Mountain Studios in North Carolina) was released on 26 March 2010, with singles "When I Lay Beside You" and "Come Live The Life" being released from the album.
2016 marked the band's first US tour in over 10 years, which the band releasing an accompanying sessions album - The Backpack Sessions later in the year.
In January 2017, the band released a stripped-back re-recording of "Not an Addict." It featured Skin of Skunk Anansie as a guest vocalist, who had previously performed the song live with the group on several occasions.
On 16 March 2018, the band released a live album entitled "Live at the Ancienne Belgique", recorded at a concert (in Dec 2017) in Brussels during the 25th Anniversary tour.
In May 2019, Sam Bettens came out as a trans man.
Not an Addict
K's Choice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And pass it on, it's almost out
We're so creative, so much more
We're high above but on the floor
It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive
If you don't have it you're on the other side
The deeper the thoughts, there's no more pain
I'm in heaven, I'm a god
I'm everywhere, I feel so hot
It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive
If you don't have it you're on the other side
I'm not an addict, maybe that's a lie
It's over now, I'm cold, alone
I'm just a person on my own
Nothing means a thing to me
Oh, nothing means a thing to me
It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive
If you don't have it you're on the other side
I'm not an addict, maybe that's a lie
Free me, leave me
Watch me as I'm going down and
Free me, see me
Look at me, I'm falling and I'm falling
It is not a habit
It is cool, I feel alive, I feel
It is not a habit
It is cool, I feel alive
It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive
If you don't have it you're on the other side
I'm not an addict, maybe that's a lie
I'm not an addict
I'm not an addict
I'm not an addict
The song "Not an Addict" by K's Choice is about a person's struggle with addiction, specifically drug addiction. The lyrics describe the sensations and feelings that the drugs bring, such as feeling alive and powerful, being on a higher plane but also feeling low on the ground. The singer admits to feeling like a god and being everywhere while high, but also acknowledges that it is not just a habit but addiction, which they refuse to be identified as.
The song highlights the appeal of drugs and the addictive nature of the experience, but also the eventual loss of control and the feeling of being alone and disconnected from the world when the high wears off. The line "It's over now, I'm cold, alone, I'm just a person on my own" emphasizes the singer's realization of the consequences of their addiction and the desire to be free from it.
Overall, the song presents a complex and honest portrayal of addiction, both the allure and the reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Breathe it in and breathe it out
Inhale and exhale the substance, then pass it on to the next person as it's almost finished.
And pass it on, it's almost out
Pass the substance to the next person as it is almost finished.
We're so creative, so much more
The substance enhances our creativity and makes us feel like we're capable of so much more.
We're high above but on the floor
The substance makes us feel like we are on a high, but in reality, we are still grounded and susceptible to negative consequences.
It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive
I don't consider my use of the substance a habit, but rather a cool experience that makes me feel alive.
If you don't have it you're on the other side
If you don't use the substance, you won't understand the high and therefore, will be on the other side of the experience.
The deeper you stick it in your vein
Injecting the substance deeper into your veins leads to deeper thoughts and a lack of pain.
The deeper the thoughts, there's no more pain
The deeper the substance penetrates, the less pain is felt in one's mind and body.
I'm in heaven, I'm a god
The high from the substance makes me feel like I am in a state of bliss and godlike.
I'm everywhere, I feel so hot
The high from the substance makes me feel like I am everywhere at once and on top of the world.
I'm not an addict, maybe that's a lie
I don't want to admit that I have an addiction to the substance, but I may be lying to myself.
It's over now, I'm cold, alone
The high from the substance is over and now I feel cold and alone.
I'm just a person on my own
Without the substance, I am just myself, an individual without the illusion of grandeur.
Nothing means a thing to me
Without the substance, nothing has significance or meaning to me.
Oh, nothing means a thing to me
I emphasize that without the substance, absolutely nothing has meaning to me.
Free me, leave me
I want to be free from this addiction, so leave me alone to recover.
Watch me as I'm going down and
Watch as I struggle and decline from my addiction.
Free me, see me
Please help me to be free from my addiction and see me as I truly am.
Look at me, I'm falling and I'm falling
Watch me as I spiral downward and lose control from my addiction.
It is not a habit
I want to deny that my substance use is a habit or addiction.
It is cool, I feel alive, I feel
I continue to glorify the experience of substance use, ignoring the negative impacts.
It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive
I continue to justify my substance use, telling myself it's not a habit or addiction, just a cool experience that makes me feel alive.
I'm not an addict, maybe that's a lie
I am struggling to admit that I may have an addiction to the substance and may be lying to myself about the gravity of the situation.
I'm not an addict
Despite my struggles with addiction, I want to emphasize that I am not solely defined by it.
I'm not an addict
I continue to emphasize that I am not solely defined by my addiction, despite my denial of it.
I'm not an addict
I reiterate that despite my addiction struggles, I do not want to identify solely as an addict.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gert Bettens, Sarah Bettens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelpeel3888
Sorry to hear that. Truth is, that we all have some kind of demon that directs us how to go. Addiction is very obvious. We understand our weakness and see it as a way to forgo our own responcibility to try and change this dark world. We know it is wrong, but for some of us, this world is just too much to bare.
This is a dog eat dog world and some of us are so sensitive to that insanity we must medicate to turn away from that hurting felt in us and expressed on to our fellow human. At least, that is the way for me. I know it is wrong, but I cant help myself.
For you and your sister, I just can't say. For me, however, those calling light for dark and dark for light are trapped in a spiritual conundrum for which there is rearly reprieve. I am all alone in these United States. Our union is going to fracture again. Sorry for the spealing.
Peace dear one. I plan to drink to the end. The pain has grown to much to bear and those that supply that incongruity are showing no sigh of backing off. Such is the way of life some times.
Your post is beautiful. Today I think I can dring just a little less
@Samantha_-tn2fp
One of my very best friends overdosed and died yesterday. She introduced me to this song. We used to belt it out on our knees at our sober house years ago. Now I listen to it alone.....talk about goosebumps. I know she will be with me every time I listen to this. Music is and was so near and dear to our relationship. RIP Kara K.
@nikkolewalker2705
I'm so sorry for your loss. Please keep moving forward. You will always be worth it.
@stephgaboury3981
Here in 2022 🙋🏼♀️ I heard this for the first time a few weeks ago..it changed me. I didn’t want to accept it, but after 10 years of substance abuse I made the call to get the help I need. I’ve been sober since 1/22/22. Reading these comments give me so much hope for my future. You are all amazing!
@FengshenNL
Hi! This is just a random internet stranger, reminding you that you are strong, you got this and you will leave this mess behind you to become an even better person! Continue being amazing. ;)
@gymrat_Tigress
I'm trying myself ♥
@Daddywood2230
Congratulations, hope you see it through.
@TappingInEFT
Yes yes yessssssssssss - so proud of you. It can take many times of starting “stopping” and it’s worth it
@gymrat_Tigress
I'm over 1 month free now
@martinasrna1108
Pure 90’s.
I was 13.
I still feel everything and more.
And I’m addict to this song.
@user-iy5fg9iq2q
You and me both. I was a young kid at this concert alone in Nashville, my hometown… it struck me still even then… years later i would know what being an addict meant.