Driving Death Valley Blues
Mark Lanegan Lyrics
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Don't wanna go cold turkey
Ride with me Jesus so high on the mainline
It's the last time I'll drive Death Valley
Remember her kiss is like kerosene
The rest of her only a memory
Don't feel so bad 'cause you made me
A picture so clear that it's crystalline
Better run to the doctor, girl, run to the medicine
Don't wanna go cold turkey
I'll be your Napoleon be your crippled Alexander, but
Don't wanna go up the country
Shame there's nothing to hang it on
Except for this wreck that you made of me
A blackbird singin' a moring song, sing along
Sing to the end of a century
Sing it
Well I can't stand the thought of many more miles, but
I don't wanna go cold turkey
Here comes the highway can't you see what it made me
It's the last time I'll drive Death Valley
Remember her kiss is a kerosene
The exile lives in a memory
A scarecrow singin' a morning song, sing along
Sing to the end of a century
Are you still with me Jesus so high on the mainline
Don't let me go up the country
Girl better run, better run for the medicine
Don't let me go cold turkey
Don't let me go cold turkey
Don't wanna go
The lyrics to Mark Lanegan's song Driving Death Valley Blues are a testament to his fatigue with a lifestyle that requires excessive travel. Lanegan says that he is exhausted from constantly being on the road, but cannot seem to escape it. He pleads with Jesus to accompany him on his journey and prevent him from going cold turkey and returning to this way of life. It appears as though Lanegan is ready to retire from the traveling lifestyle, and he will never drive Death Valley again.
Lanegan remembers a past lover-specifically, her kiss, which is compared to kerosene. The memory of her is still vivid, but everything else about her has faded away. He does not feel bad that she has caused him to feel this way because he can see her so vividly in his mind. The picture is so clear that it is crystalline. He is struggling with addiction in the lyrics and may be alluding to opioid abuse. He warns the woman to run to the doctor for medicine rather than stopping cold turkey, which can be dangerous.
In the second half of the song, Lanegan's voice rises as he sings, "Shame there's nothing to hang it on/Except for this wreck that you made of me." He is referring back to his past lover, who has had a significant impact on his life, but not in a good way. He questions whether she is still with him and reminds her of the importance of taking medicine to avoid painful withdrawal symptoms. Despite his exhaustion, he is still on the road. Lanegan's lyrics are both thoughtful and poignant, evoking a sense of sadness and world-weariness.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm so tired of driving but here comes the highway
I'm exhausted from driving, but the highway is ahead and I have no choice.
Don't wanna go cold turkey
I don't want to abruptly stop or give up something I'm addicted to.
Ride with me Jesus so high on the mainline
Help me through this difficult time, Jesus.
It's the last time I'll drive Death Valley
This will be my final drive through Death Valley.
Remember her kiss is like kerosene
Her kiss is intense and explosive, like kerosene.
The rest of her only a memory
I can only remember her, she's not with me anymore.
Don't feel so bad 'cause you made me
Don't feel guilty for causing me pain, you're not the only one responsible.
A picture so clear
I have a crystal clear picture of what happened.
A picture so clear that it's crystalline
I have a clear, detailed and undeniable memory of what happened.
Better run to the doctor, girl, run to the medicine
You need to seek help, like a doctor or medicine, to fix yourself.
I'll be your Napoleon, be your crippled Alexander, but
I'll be your great leader and conqueror, but I'm also limited and flawed.
Don't wanna go up the country
I don't want to leave the city and change my life dramatically.
Shame there's nothing to hang it on
It's a pity there's no clear explanation or reason for what happened.
Except for this wreck that you made of me
The only thing left is the damage you caused me.
A blackbird singin' a morning song, sing along
Even in the midst of pain, there is beauty to be found in nature.
Sing to the end of a century
Sing until the end of time.
Well I can't stand the thought of many more miles, but
I don't know if I can handle much more of this journey.
Here comes the highway can't you see what it made me
The highway is coming and it's obvious how much pain I'm in.
The exile lives in a memory
I'm living in exile, only in my memories.
A scarecrow singin' a morning song, sing along
Even a symbol of fear and death can find beauty in singing.
Are you still with me Jesus so high on the mainline
Jesus, are you still helping me through this difficult time?
Girl better run, better run for the medicine
You need to seek help to fix yourself.
Don't let me go cold turkey
Don't let me abruptly stop or give up something I'm addicted to.
Don't wanna go
I don't want to do this anymore.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARK LANEGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind