Junkie's Promise
Sonic Youth Lyrics

The lyrics to Sonic Youth's song Junkie's Promise are deeply introspective and speak to the struggles of addiction and self-loathing. The song's opening lines reflect the desperation of addiction, where even a hundred dollars is not enough to satisfy one's cravings. The contrast between "used to be enough" and "now a hundred times a day" speaks to the escalating nature of addiction and how it overtakes one's life. The singer acknowledges that people have told him that he'll get what he deserves, but he's only ever heard more of the same.

The chorus, which is repeated throughout the song, is haunting in its simplicity. The lines "you know I hate myself, but I love everybody else" and "I can't escape myself" reflect the complex relationship that addicts have with themselves and their inability to break free from their addiction. The final line of the chorus, "and then you did and now there's no one else," is particularly impactful, as it speaks to the sense of isolation that often accompanies addiction.

The second verse speaks to the difficulty of helping someone who is struggling with addiction. The singer wants to lend a helping hand but acknowledges that things are tough and that he can't do it alone. He only expects "nothing in return" from his friend, reflecting the unconditional love that is often required to support someone through addiction.

Overall, Junkie's Promise is a powerful song that captures the struggles of addiction and the complex emotions associated with it. By repeating the same lines throughout the song, Sonic Youth creates a sense of cyclical despair that is all too familiar to those who have experienced addiction.