The Perfect Drug
Lost Highway Lyrics


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I got my head, but my head is unraveling
Can't keep control, can't keep track of where it's traveling
I got my heart, but my heart's no good
And you're the only one that's understood

I come along, but I don't know where you're taking me
I shouldn't go, but you're wrenching, dragging, shaking me
Turn off the sun, pull the stars from the sky
The more I give to you, the more I die

And I want you, and I want you
And I want you, and I want you

You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug

You make me hard when I'm all soft inside
I'll see the truth when I'm all stupid-eyed
The arrow goes straight through my heart
Without you everything just falls apart

My blood wants to say hello to you
My feelings wanna get inside of you
My soul is so afraid to realize
How very little good is left of me

And I want you, and I want you
And I want you, and I want you

You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug

You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug

You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug

You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug

Perfect, perfect, perfect, perfect
Perfect, perfect, perfect, perfect
Perfect, perfect, perfect, perfect

Take me with you
Take me with you
Take me with you
Take me with you

Without you, without you everything falls apart
Without you, it's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
Without you, without you everything falls apart
Without you, it's not as much fun to pick up the pieces

It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces




Without you, without you everything falls apart
Without you, it's not as much fun to pick up the pieces

Overall Meaning

"The Perfect Drug" by Lost Highway is a song about addiction, specifically, the addiction to a particular person, that is as intoxicating as a drug. The singer's head is unraveling, and they have lost control of where it is traveling. They have their heart, but it's useless, and only the person they're singing about understands them. The singer is confused about their feelings towards this person, and the more they give to them, the weaker they become. The person is perfect to the singer, like a drug that makes them feel alive, but without them, everything falls apart. The song is about the all-consuming love that can be likened to an addiction, a feeling that is powerful but ultimately destructive.


The lyrics in the song are quite straightforward, dealing with themes of addiction, obsession, and the dependency that comes with it. The idea of being addicted to a person is a common one, and the song captures the feeling perfectly. It speaks directly about the highs and lows of such an experience, the emotional turbulence that comes with loving someone who might not necessarily be good for you. While some might interpret the song as being about a perfect romantic connection, others might notice the unhealthy dependence on someone who is portrayed like a drug.


Line by Line Meaning

I got my head, but my head is unraveling
I have my mind but it's slipping away from me


Can't keep control, can't keep track of where it's traveling
I am losing grip on reality and don't know where it will take me


I got my heart, but my heart's no good
I may have emotions, but they are not beneficial to me


And you're the only one that's understood
You are the only person who truly understands me


I come along, but I don't know where you're taking me
I follow you blindly, unaware of where it leads


I shouldn't go, but you're wrenching, dragging, shaking me
I know I shouldn't be with you, but you are irresistible and controlling me


Turn off the sun, pull the stars from the sky
You have the power to do the impossible, to bend reality to your will


The more I give to you, the more I die
The more I invest in you, the more it destroys me


You are the perfect drug
You are addictive and alluring, like a drug I cannot resist


You make me hard when I'm all soft inside
You arouse me and bring out a side of me that is otherwise dormant


I'll see the truth when I'm all stupid-eyed
Your allure blinds me, making me unaware of the danger that lies ahead


The arrow goes straight through my heart
You strike me at my most vulnerable point, leaving me no defense


Without you everything just falls apart
My existence cannot go on without you, you complete me


My blood wants to say hello to you
My body craves you like an addiction, begging for your attention


My feelings wanna get inside of you
My emotions are reaching out to connect with yours, to feel understood


My soul is so afraid to realize
My innermost self is scared to admit the truth about our relationship


How very little good is left of me
You have taken so much from me that there is nothing good left inside


Take me with you
I am willing to follow you to the ends of the earth


It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
Life without you is dull and empty, there's no point in trying to piece it back together




Contributed by Hudson C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Jeremy Markley

Still don't get how Reznor hates this song but then again, we're always our own worst critics

906Rage

Thank you for this.

Canadian 81

im the only one misunderstood lol right?....

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