Glory to the Veins
Raphael Saadiq [feat. Ernest Turner] Lyrics

It's a world epidemic
The world is experiencing a widespread infection or disease.

And the whole world is in it
The disease is affecting every part of the world.

I lost a brother to AIDS
The singer's brother died from AIDS.

Still, he laughed every day
Despite his condition, the artist's brother found joy in life.

I see the door but I'm not going in
The artist is hesitant to enter a certain place or path.

A taste of Gin and a little sin
The singer indulges in alcohol and misbehavior as a means of coping.

Is all that I can afford
The singer's ability to cope is limited due to their circumstances.

I won't do no more
The artist has reached their limit and cannot continue their current behavior.

Why is everything going fast?
The artist is overwhelmed by the speed at which things are happening.

Afraid my heart is built to last
Despite their fear, the artist believes they have the strength to endure.

A shortness of breath is really frightening
The singer is scared by their difficulty breathing.

I feel myself but I need to feel love
The artist is self-aware but craves love and connection from others.

There's too many people walking behind me
The singer feels crowded and overwhelmed by the number of people around them.

I need you beside me, please come and find me
The singer desires the companionship of someone specific and calls out for them.

It's been so cold, the light could blind me
The singer has been in a dark place for so long that even the smallest glimmer of hope is blinding.

God help me to find me
The artist seeks help from a higher power to find their true self.

Oh well (oh well), oh well (oh well), oh well (oh well)
The artist resigns themselves to their current situation with a tone of acceptance.

oh well (oh well), oh well (oh well), oh well (oh well)
Repetition of the previous line to emphasize the singer's acceptance of their situation.