Made up of singer Brad Tabor, lead guitarist Zach Lindsey, bassist Josh London and steel guitarist Alex Lindsey, the Josephines are the embodiment of the country rebel spirit.
Formed in 2017 in a bid to "have fun, make some cash & raise a little hell," the boys have been doubling down on that mission statement since day one. Combining dense, smooth harmonies ala Midland and the Eagles, moody story telling reminiscent of Tom Waits or Blaze Foley, a dash of pop songwriting sheen courtesy of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers & all the rock n roll energy of the best Foo Fighters show, the Josephines are on a path all their own and invite everyone to join the ride.
Cocaine
The Josephines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cocaine
on a razor’s edge
Ill dive in
It will take my breathe
HeartbeatsBeating out my chest
A heat wave comes over me
Now I cant get no rest
Codeine
I’m leaning way too far
Oh I speak now
My words they’re soft they’re sparse
Stumble
I stagger to my car
Oh I cant find my keys
I guess ill sleep at the bar
They say that I should
Ride my horse to the ground
I should get out
Way before I drown
Morphine
Pushing through my blood
Morphine
Pushing through my blood
Oh I slowed it down
The only way I could
Hold on
To the one you love
Oh she’s buried
Oh deep
Oh down in your woods
They say that I should
Ride my horse to the ground
I should get out
Way before I drown
(ground)
They say that I should
(ground)
Ride my horse to the ground
They say that I should
In The Josephines's song "Cocaine," the lyrics depict a vivid narrative of a person spiraling into the depths of substance abuse. The mention of cocaine on a razor's edge sets the tone for the dangerous and precarious situation the singer finds themselves in. The decision to "dive in" symbolizes a reckless abandon and a willingness to engage in destructive behavior despite the consequences. The imagery of it taking their breath away not only alludes to the physical effects of cocaine but also the suffocating grip that addiction can have on an individual.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve into the physical and emotional toll of drug use. The references to heartbeats pounding out of the chest and a heat wave washing over create a sense of urgency and disorientation. The effects of codeine are described as causing the singer to lean too far, affecting their speech and cognitive abilities. The feeling of stumbling and struggling to find their keys highlights the disarray and disconnection that often accompany substance abuse.
The recurring motif of being urged to "ride my horse to the ground" conveys a sense of self-destructive tendencies and a disregard for personal well-being. The idea of pushing through morphine in the bloodstream portrays a numbing of pain and emotions, a desperate attempt to escape reality. The mention of slowing down as the only way to cope hints at a sense of resignation and acceptance of their situation, even if it is not healthy or sustainable.
The final stanza brings a poignant note as the singer is urged to hold on to the one they love, who is metaphorically buried deep down in their own internal struggles. The repetition of the refrain "They say that I should" emphasizes the conflicting voices and advice that the singer is receiving, possibly from others or even their own internal dialogue. Overall, "Cocaine" paints a raw and haunting portrait of addiction, inner turmoil, and the struggle to break free from destructive patterns before it is too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Cocaine
A powerful stimulant, addictive in nature, symbolizing a potentially destructive force.
on a razor’s edge
Living a life filled with risk and danger, precariously balanced between thrill and peril.
Ill dive in
I am willingly immersing myself in this dangerous experience.
It will take my breathe
This substance has the potency to overwhelm me, leaving me breathless and incapacitated.
Heartbeats
The physical reaction to addiction, reflecting the heightened state of anxiety and excitement.
Beating out my chest
I can feel my heart thumping heavily, indicative of stress or exhilaration.
A heat wave comes over me
An intense rush of sensations, like a sudden warmth enveloping me.
Now I cant get no rest
This feeling has consumed me, preventing any possibility of peace or relaxation.
Codeine
Another powerful drug, this time with sedative properties, showing my dependency on substances.
I’m leaning way too far
I have gone beyond my limits, teetering on the edge of addiction and self-destruction.
Oh I speak now
I am trying to express myself in this altered state, despite the effects of the drugs.
My words they’re soft they’re sparse
My speech is quiet and hesitant, lacking clarity and coherence due to my condition.
Stumble
I am physically unsteady, struggling to maintain my balance in this impaired state.
I stagger to my car
I am trying to navigate to my vehicle, but my coordination is severely compromised.
Oh I cant find my keys
I am confused and disoriented, unable to locate what I need to leave.
I guess ill sleep at the bar
Recognizing my predicament, I resign myself to remaining in this environment for the night.
They say that I should
People are advising me, suggesting a course of action for my well-being.
Ride my horse to the ground
They suggest I should push through my struggles until I can no longer continue.
I should get out
I need to leave this situation before it becomes overwhelming and damaging.
Way before I drown
It is crucial that I escape before I am engulfed by my problems or addictions.
Morphine
A powerful painkiller that exemplifies my escape from emotional and physical pain.
Pushing through my blood
The drug courses through me, affecting my body and mind on a deep level.
Oh I slowed it down
I have numbed my senses, making it easier to cope with the chaos of my life.
The only way I could
This was my chosen method of dealing with overwhelming emotions and situations.
Hold on
Cling tightly to what is important amidst the chaos and turmoil.
To the one you love
Cherish the connections that matter the most, especially with loved ones.
Oh she’s buried
The emotional weight of losing someone or pushing them away feels profound and heavy.
Oh deep
This sense of loss or trauma runs deeply within me.
Oh down in your woods
The pain and memories are hidden away within my psyche, away from others' view.
They say that I should
Once again, voices urge me toward making a better choice for my future.
Ride my horse to the ground
The repeated advice to endure my struggles until I hit a breaking point.
I should get out
Emphasizing the necessity of removing myself from harmful situations.
Way before I drown
Reiterating the importance of self-preservation before losing everything.
(ground)
A metaphorical representation of hitting rock bottom in my life.
They say that I should
Advisers continue to echo their concerns and guidance to me.
(ground)
Signifying the importance of stability and not falling deeper into despair.
Ride my horse to the ground
The cyclical advice, highlighting the urgency of taking action against my downward spiral.
They say that I should
The persistent plea for me to heed their warnings and change my path.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bradley Tabor, David Page, Joshua London, Pierce Alex Lindsey, Zachary Lindsey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind