Diary of a Dope Fiend
Marilyn Manson Lyrics


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I peek into the hole
I struggle for control
And the children love the show
But they fail to see the anguish in my eyes
Fail to see the anguish in my eyes

I scratch around the brim
I let my mind give in
And the crowd begins to grin
But they seem to scream when darkness fills my eyes
Seem to scream when darkness fills my eyes
It's no surprise

And I know, and I'm coming down

Fail to see the tragic turn it into magic
My big top tricks will always make you happy
But we all know the hat is wearing me

My bag is in the hat
It's filled with this and that
And my visions getting fat
The rabbits just a chicken in disguise
Stars and pills and meatballs dance before our eyes
They will bite the hand, if it is slower than
The quickness of there scrutinizing eyes

Fail to see the tragic, turn it into magic
My big top tricks will always make you happy
But we all know the hat is wearing me




Chicanery will always make you happy
But we all know the hat is wearing me

Overall Meaning

In Marilyn Manson's "Diary of a Dope Fiend," the singer is struggling with addiction and the negative effects it has on his life. The first verse describes the feeling of looking into a "hole" and trying to control the situation. The second verse refers to the singer's mind giving in and the crowd enjoying his suffering. He understands that he is coming down from a high, but the audience fails to see the tragic reality behind the performance.


The chorus "Fail to see the tragic turn it into magic" indicates that the singer is attempting to transform his addiction into something that can entertain and please the crowd. Despite the fact that the audience enjoys the show, the singer knows that his "big top tricks" are only covering up the underlying issues. He explains that "the hat is wearing me," meaning that he has become a puppet to his addiction.


The final verse mentions the singer's bag filled with drugs, and his visions becoming distorted. The rabbits and chickens metaphorically represent the singer's distorted perception and inability to trust those around him. The line "They will bite the hand if it is slower than the quickness of their scrutinizing eyes" can be interpreted as a warning to not get too close to addicts, as they may turn on you.


Line by Line Meaning

I peek into the hole
I look into the void


I struggle for control
I try to retain my sanity


And the children love the show
The public enjoys my pain


But they fail to see the anguish in my eyes
They don't understand my suffering


I scratch around the brim
I search the surface for a way out


I let my mind give in
I surrender to addiction


And the crowd begins to grin
The audience is entertained


But they seem to scream when darkness fills my eyes
They don't like it when I show my pain


It's no surprise
This is what they came to see


And I know, and I'm coming down
I'm aware of my situation and the consequences


Fail to see the tragic turn it into magic
People don't see the pain behind the performance


My big top tricks will always make you happy
My showmanship is successful


But we all know the hat is wearing me
My addiction controls me


My bag is in the hat
My drugs are my only escape


It's filled with this and that
My addiction takes many forms


And my visions getting fat
My addiction is growing


The rabbits just a chicken in disguise
My illusions are fake


Stars and pills and meatballs dance before our eyes
We hallucinate and see things that aren't there


They will bite the hand, if it is slower than
Addiction can take over if you give it a chance


The quickness of their scrutinizing eyes
The speed at which addiction can take hold


Chicanery will always make you happy
Trickery can be entertaining


But we all know the hat is wearing me
But my addiction is controlling me




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Marilyn Manson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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