White Light/White Heat
Lou Reed and The Tots Lyrics


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White light, white light goin' messin' up my mind
White light, and don't you know its gonna make me go blind
White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
White light, ooo have mercy white light have it goodness knows

White light, white light goin' messin' up my brain
White light, aww white light its gonna drive me insane
White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
White light, aww white light I said now goodness knows, do it

Hmm hmm, white light
Aww I surely do love to watch that stuff tip itself in
Hmm hmm, white light
Watch that side, watch that side don't you know it gonna be dead in the drive
Hmm hmm, white heat
Hey foxy mama watchin' her walk down the street
Hmm hmm, white light
Come up side your head gonna make a deadend on your street

White light, white light moved in me through my brain
White light, white light goin' makin' you go insane
White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
White light, aww white light I said now goodness knows

White light, aww white light it lighten up my eyes
White light, don't you know it fills me up with surprise
White light, aww white heat tickle me down to my toes
White light, aww white light I tell you now goodness knows, now work it

Hmm hmm, white light
Aww she surely do moves me
Hmm hmm, white light
Watch that speed freak, watch that speed freak everybody gonna go and make it every week
Hmm hmm, white heat
Aww sputter mutter everybody gonna go kill their mother




Hmm hmm, white light
Here she comes, here she comes, everybody get 'n gone make me run to her

Overall Meaning

Lou Reed's song "White Light / White Heat" is a frenetic and chaotic description of the experience of taking drugs. The "white light" and "white heat" in the lyrics are likely references to the blinding and overwhelming sensations that one may feel when under the influence of stimulants such as speed or cocaine. Reed describes the effects of these drugs as both pleasurable and dangerous: they "tickle" and excite him, but also threaten to drive him "insane" and "blind," and to make him "go and kill [his] mother."


The song's structure and instrumentation also add to the feeling of disorientation and uncontrolled energy. The lyrics are delivered rapidly and without clear verse-chorus structure, while the repeated use of the word "hmm" suggests a lack of coherence or the inability to express oneself clearly. The guitar and drums are similarly frenzied and dissonant, with minimal chords and no discernible melody.


Overall, "White Light / White Heat" offers a vivid and unapologetic portrait of the experience of drug use, as well as a warning about its potentially dangerous effects. The song has been interpreted as a precursor to punk rock, due to its fast, raw sound and the subversive content of its lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

White light, white light goin' messin' up my mind
The light is overwhelming and confusing my thoughts.


White light, and don't you know its gonna make me go blind
The light is so bright that it may lead to vision impairment.


White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
The heat is causing a pleasurable sensation all the way down to my toes.


White light, ooo have mercy white light have it goodness knows
The light is intense and causing me distress, as I hope for the mercy of something or someone to alleviate it.


White light, white light goin' messin' up my brain
The overwhelming light is interfering with my thought processes and causing mental confusion.


White light, aww white light its gonna drive me insane
The intense light may push me over the edge and make me lose my mind.


White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
The pleasurable sensation from the heat continues and is affecting my whole body.


White light, aww white light I said now goodness knows, do it
The intensifying light is causing me to act or react, with no clear direction or guidance.


Hmm hmm, white light
An expression of appreciation or fascination with the overwhelming light.


Aww I surely do love to watch that stuff tip itself in
I am mesmerized by the way the light imposes itself on the surroundings.


Watch that side, watch that side don't you know it gonna be dead in the drive
Be cautious or you may crash, as the light may blind you or impair your vision.


Hey foxy mama watchin' her walk down the street
A woman with an attractive appearance is capturing my attention as I observe her walking in the street.


Come up side your head gonna make a deadend on your street
The intense light may cause a collision and a dead end on the road you are on.


White light, white light moved in me through my brain
The light has penetrated my brain and is affecting my thoughts and emotions.


White light, white light goin' makin' you go insane
The overwhelming light may also drive you to madness and mental instability.


White light, aww white heat tickle me down to my toes
The pleasurable sensation from the heat is now even stronger and more widespread in my body.


White light, aww white light I said now goodness knows
I am now calling upon something or someone to help me cope with the overwhelming light, as it is becoming unbearable.


White light, aww white light it lighten up my eyes
The light is illuminating and brightening my eyes, but it may also have negative effects on my vision.


White light, don't you know it fills me up with surprise
The unprecedented intensity of the light is filling me with surprise and amazement.


White light, aww white heat tickle me down to my toes
The intense heat is still causing me a pleasurable sensation, even though the light is getting harder to handle.


White light, aww white light I tell you now goodness knows, now work it
I am acknowledging the impact of the intense light, as it becomes too much to handle, and I am urging myself or someone else to deal with it.


Aww she surely do moves me
A woman has caught my attention and captivated me with her motion or physical presence.


Watch that speed freak, watch that speed freak everybody gonna go and make it every week
Be wary of someone who is addicted to speed and constantly engaging in reckless behavior; otherwise, everyone will follow their lead and end up in disaster.


Aww sputter mutter everybody gonna go kill their mother
An expression of frustration or despair with the increasingly chaotic and dangerous situation created by the intense light and heat.


Here she comes, here she comes, everybody get 'n gone make me run to her
A woman is approaching, and I am feeling strongly attracted to her to the point of wanting to run towards her.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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