Initially active from 1993-1994, the band reunited in 2014, two decades after it disbanded, with drummer Todd Philips, and bassist Dean Fisher.
Addicted
The Juliana Hatfield Three Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gotta have it every day
I think I'm addicted (addicted)
Diggin' up what I threw away
My body is a shell
A broke and empty shell
A chemical well
I can't take this lying down
I can't handle this waitin' around
Karl Wallenda said it right
Walkin' a wire is the only life
I think I'm addicted (addicted)
I got an insatiable need
I think I'm addicted (addicted)
Finally it happened to me
The skeleton trees
Remind me of me
They've got no leaves
To make the air we breathe
I can't take this lying down
I can't handle this waitin' around
Hack another year off my life
Take my money, take my knife
I don't want to die
I don't want to die
Don't watch me cry
I don't want to die
I can't take this lying down
I can't handle this waitin' around
Hack another year off my life
Take my money, take my knife
The Juliana Hatfield Three's song Addicted depicts the struggle of addiction, the constant need to have and consume a particular substance. The repeated phrase "I think I'm addicted" emphasizes the singer's awareness of their addiction, which is a significant step in overcoming it. The singer admits to having an "insatiable need," and even though they "diggin' up what [they] threw away," meaning they are trying to recover from their addiction, they feel helpless in their daily struggle.
The second verse paints a disturbing picture of the singer's life, comparing their body to a "broke and empty shell" and a "little private hell," emphasizing the physical and emotional toll addiction takes on an individual. The reference to Karl Wallenda, a famous tightrope walker, and his quote "Walkin' a wire is the only life" highlights the precarious nature of addiction, where the individual feels like they're on a tightrope and the only way to survive is by feeding their addiction.
The final verse reflects the inevitable consequences of addiction, the loss of time, money, and sometimes even life. The singer pleads, "I don't want to die," but feels powerless as their addiction takes control. The final line, "Take my money, take my knife," gives the impression that the singer is willing to sacrifice anything, even their life, if it means they can get their fix.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I'm addicted (addicted)
I have developed an insatiable craving for something and can't go a day without it.
Gotta have it every day
I require this thing in my life on a daily basis.
Diggin' up what I threw away
I am going back to something that I previously discarded.
My body is a shell
I feel like I have no substance and am empty inside.
A broke and empty shell
I am not only lacking in substance, but am also broken down and deteriorating.
A chemical well
I am full of harmful substances that are affecting me negatively.
A little private hell
This addiction has become a personal hell that only I can truly understand.
I can't take this lying down
I refuse to passively accept this addiction and its negative effects on me.
I can't handle this waitin' around
I am unable to just sit and wait for things to change.
Karl Wallenda said it right
I am reminded of the famous tightrope walker Karl Wallenda and his philosophy on life.
Walkin' a wire is the only life
It feels like I am constantly balancing on a tightrope, and that is my only existence.
I got an insatiable need
My craving for this thing has become impossible to satisfy, no matter how much I indulge in it.
Finally it happened to me
I have succumbed to the addiction that I thought I would never have.
The skeleton trees
The barren trees remind me of how I feel inside.
Remind me of me
The lifeless trees are a reflection of my own dead and empty spirit.
They've got no leaves
The trees have lost their vitality and are devoid of any growth or beauty.
To make the air we breathe
Even the trees' ability to provide us with clean air has been taken away.
Hack another year off my life
Every time I indulge in this addiction, it takes another year off of my life.
Take my money, take my knife
This addiction has led me to spend all my money and even consider harming myself.
I don't want to die
Despite all the negative consequences, I still have a desire to live and be free from this addiction.
Don't watch me cry
I don't want anyone to see how much this addiction is affecting me emotionally.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HATFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind