White Light/White Heat
The Bootleggers feat. Mark Lanegan Lyrics
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White light
I like going, listen up my mind
White light
Don't you know it's gonna make me go blind?
White heat
Oh, white heat, it take me deep down to my toe
White light
White light
I like going, listen up my brain,
White light,
Oh, white light is gonna drive me insane.
White heat
Oh, white light is taking me down to my toe,
White light,
Oh, white light, I said, no, goodness, no.
Uuuu, white light
I should have loved watch your step to seule light
Uuuu, white heat
Watch your time, watch your time, don't you know is gonna be damn right
Uuuu, white light
Watch him walking down the street.
Uuuu, white heat
Come upside, baby, I can make it better down the street.
White light
While I'm going messing up my brain,
White light
Oh, white light is gonna drive me insane.
White heat,
Oh, white light is taking me down to my toes,
White light
Oh, white light, I said no, goodness, no.
White light
Oh, white light is driving up my eye,
White light
Don't you know it fix me up with some bribe
White heat
Oh, white light is taking me down to my toes
White light
Oh, white light, I tell you now, goodness knows.
Uuuu, white light
Ahh, you sure do miss me.
Uuuu, white heat
Watch that speed flick, watch that speed flick, everybody can do right like me.
Uuuu, white light
Uuuu, white heat
White light
I like going, listen up my mind
White light
Don't you know it's gonna make me go blind?
White heat
Oh, white light, it take me deep down to my toe
White light
Lord, have mercy while that goodness, no.
White light
While I'm going messing up my brain,
White light
Oh, white light is gonna drive me insane.
White heat,
Oh, white heat is taking me down to my toes,
White light
Oh, white light, I said no, goodness, no.
Uuuu, white light
I should have loved watch your step, get yourself, man
Uuuu, white heat
Watch your time, watch your time, don't you know is gonna be damn right
Uuuu, white light
Watch him walking down the street.
Uuuu, white heat
Come upside, baby, I can make it better down the street.
Uuuu, white light
Watch inside, watch inside, don't you know how to get alive
Uuuu, white heat
White light
While I'm going messing up my brain,
White light
Oh, white light is gonna drive me insane.
White heat,
Oh, white heat is taking me down to my toes,
White light
Oh, white light, I said no, goodness, no.
White light
Oh, white light is driving up my eye,
White light
Don't you know it fill me up with some bribe
White heat
Oh, white heat is taking me down to my toes
White light
Oh, white light, I tell you now, goodness knows.
Uuuu, white light
Uuuu, white heat
Uuuu, white light
Uuuu, white heat.
The Bootleggers' song "White Light/White Heat" is a cover of The Velvet Underground's 1968 hit, with Mark Lanegan providing the vocals. The song describes the effects of amphetamine use, with "white light" and "white heat" referring to the bright, energized sensations that the drug creates. The lyrics speak to both the physical and mental effects of the drug, with lines like "white light, I like going, listen up my mind" and "Oh, white light is driving up my eye, don't you know it fill me up with some bribe".
The repetition of "white light" and "white heat" in the chorus creates a hypnotic effect that reflects the addictive nature of the drug. The verses suggest that the singer is aware of the dangerous effects of amphetamine use, with lines like "Don't you know it's gonna make me go blind?" and "Oh, white light is gonna drive me insane", but is unable to resist the lure of the drug. Ultimately, the song presents a bleak picture of addiction, with the final line "White light, white heat" suggesting a cycle of continued use and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three.
Counting down to start the song.
White light
Talking about the effects of the drug 'white light'.
I like going, listen up my mind
Enjoying the high and the thoughts it brings.
Don't you know it's gonna make me go blind?
Fearing the negative consequences of taking the drug.
White heat
Another reference to the drug 'white light' and its effects.
Oh, white heat, it take me deep down to my toe
Describing the intensity of the high and its physical effects.
Lord, have mercy while that goodness, no.
Asking for mercy while experiencing the effects of the drug, which may not actually be 'goodness'.
Oh, white light is gonna drive me insane.
Expressing concern that the drug is affecting their mental state.
Uuuu, white light
Making a vocalization to emphasize the intense effects of the drug.
I should have loved watch your step to seule light
Seemingly nonsensical lyric that may reference the struggles of addiction.
Watch your time, watch your time, don't you know is gonna be damn right
Warning others about the addictive and dangerous nature of the drug.
Watch him walking down the street.
Perhaps seeing someone else under the influence of the drug.
Come upside, baby, I can make it better down the street.
Offering to share the drug and its perceived benefits with someone else.
While I'm going messing up my brain,
Acknowledging that the drug is negatively impacting their cognitive function.
Don't you know it fix me up with some bribe
Mentioning the idea that the drug can be used to dull emotional pain or 'fix' personal problems.
Oh, white light, I tell you now, goodness knows.
Reflecting on the effects of the drug and wondering if they are truly 'good'.
Watch inside, watch inside, don't you know how to get alive
Potentially offering advice on how to effectively use the drug in order to feel more 'alive'.
Uuuu, white heat
Another vocalization emphasizing the intense effects of the drug.
Oh, white light is driving up my eye,
Noticing physical changes caused by the drug.
White light
Repeating the drug's name as a motif throughout the song.
Oh, white light, I said no, goodness, no.
Reiterating that the drug's effects may not be good or positive.
Uuuu, white heat
Another vocalization emphasizing the intense effects of the drug.
Writer(s): Lou Reed
Contributed by Evelyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
reuireuiop0
Don't watch no movies, got no TV, Netflix be a bunch o overhyped hipster binge addiction.
Only listen GOOD GOOD Music
This is.
FFing Brilliant mash up of Velvet Lou Reed cool and Country Honk greatness
KillerFrank
Love this song!!!!!! It's rather unfortunate that the movie didn't get as much attention as it deserved, but I guess people would rather see something like 'Ride Along' than quality like this!
John Andrew Serrano Garcia
It wasn't marketed well, I had no idea it existed then it appears on my Netflix recommendations.
stacey henderson
KillerFrank this was a brilliant film but i agree people should of give it more credit
R H
@John Andrew Serrano Garcia exactly the same way I found it. Never heard of it before Netflix recommended it but it's a great movie.
tf1970dodgechallenger
A great modern day moonshine movie
Brian Seaman
I can't believe I'd never heard of this gem before. Now, having seen it, I can't believe it hasn't acquired the status of Good Fellas. I say that because in my opinion, it does for the rural white southern bootlegging era what Good Fellas did for the Italian-American mobsters of the 1960s; i.e. captured the violent ethos of a particular moment in time. As for the soundtrack, as I told a friend yesterday, consider it Hillbilly Cool. Each song is beautiful. But for me, White Light/White Heat stands out in particular. Well done, Bootleggers!
Bob Sears
Heard it at work, cant get the song out of my head. Love it, super motion and rhythm. So catchy
Taka Takata
Anybody who loved that song in the movie but doesn't know the original by THE VELVET UNDERGROUND must urgently listen to it. Hell, listen to the whole album, same title. Changed my life, back then.
colkurtz17
Mainly Sister Ray. I had that song played at my wedding reception.
Thomas Baron
One of my favorite movies
Watching it right now 😀