Heroin
The Velvet Underground (feat. Nico) Lyrics


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I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm gonna try for the kingdom, if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
And I tell you things aren't quite the same

When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know

I have made big decision
I'm gonna try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death

You can't help me now, you guys
And all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know

I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
In a sailor's suit and cap

Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils of this town
And of himself and those around
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know

Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainline into my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead

Because when the smack begins to flow
I really don't care anymore
About all the Jim-Jims in this town
And all the politicians making crazy sounds
And everybody putting everybody else down
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds

'Cause when the smack begins to flow
And I really don't care anymore
Ah, when that heroin is in my blood
And that blood is in my head
Then thank God that I'm as good as dead
And thank your God that I'm not aware
And thank God that I just don't care




And I guess I just don't know
Oh, and I guess I just don't know

Overall Meaning

The Velvet Underground's "Heroin" is a haunting and intense song that delves into the mind of a drug addict. The song follows the singer's addiction to heroin and the powerful euphoria it provides. He talks about how it makes him feel like a man, like Jesus' son, and how it takes away his problems and worries. The song paints a dark picture of addiction, where the singer feels like he is better off dead when he is under the influence.


The lyrics show how the singer is struggling to cope with his addiction, and his desire to escape the city and its evils is juxtaposed with his dependence on the drug. His journey is further complicated by the people around him who try to help him, but he pushes them away. The song ends with the singer acknowledging that he doesn't know where he's going, and he's resigned to his fate.


Overall, "Heroin" is a powerful commentary on addiction and how it consumes individuals, leaving them isolated and trapped in their own mind.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't know just where I'm going But I'm gonna try for the kingdom, if I can 'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man When I put a spike into my vein And I tell you things aren't quite the same
I'm lost and uncertain about where life is taking me, but I'm searching for a sense of purpose and power, and heroin gives me that. It changes me in ways I can't explain.


When I'm rushing on my run And I feel just like Jesus' son And I guess that I just don't know And I guess that I just don't know
Under the influence of heroin, I feel invincible and godlike, but at the same time, I'm confused and unsure about everything.


I have made big decision I'm gonna try to nullify my life 'Cause when the blood begins to flow When it shoots up the dropper's neck When I'm closing in on death
I've decided to throw my life away by using heroin. When the drug enters my body, I feel like I'm on the brink of death, but that's what I want.


You can't help me now, you guys And all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk You can all go take a walk And I guess I just don't know And I guess that I just don't know
No one can save me from my addiction, not my friends, not even the women who try to talk to me sweetly. Again, I'm lost and unsure about what I want or need.


I wish that I was born a thousand years ago I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas On a great big clipper ship Going from this land here to that In a sailor's suit and cap
I long for a simpler, more adventurous time in history, when I could have been a sailor exploring the world, free from the complications and pain of modern life.


Away from the big city Where a man cannot be free Of all the evils of this town And of himself and those around Oh, and I guess that I just don't know Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
The city is full of corrupting influences that prevent me from being truly free, and the same can be said of my own inner demons. Once again, I'm lost and unsure of what to do.


Heroin, be the death of me Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life Because a mainline into my vein Leads to a center in my head And then I'm better off than dead
Heroin is killing me, but it's also become my entire world. When I inject it into my vein, I reach a state of mind that feels like death, but I welcome it because the drug becomes everything.


Because when the smack begins to flow I really don't care anymore About all the Jim-Jims in this town And all the politicians making crazy sounds And everybody putting everybody else down And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
When heroin takes over, nothing else matters. I don't care about the problems of the world, the opinions of others, or even the death and destruction around me. The drug is all-encompassing.


'Cause when the smack begins to flow And I really don't care anymore Ah, when that heroin is in my blood And that blood is in my head Then thank God that I'm as good as dead And thank your God that I'm not aware And thank God that I just don't care And I guess I just don't know
In the throes of a heroin high, I'm no longer alive in the traditional sense. I'm in a state of near-death, but it's better than the pain of life. I'm not aware of anything, but that doesn't bother me because there's nothing left to care about.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lou Reed

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@felipide

Lyrics, since I can't find them

I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm gonna try for the kingdom, if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
And I'll tell ya, things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made the big decision
I'm gonna try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
And you can't help me, not you guys
Or all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sail the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
On a sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all of the evils of this town
And of himself, and those around
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainline to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
Because when the smack begins to flow
I really don't care anymore
About all the Jim-Jim's in this town
And all the politicians makin' crazy sounds
And everybody puttin' everybody else down
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
'Cause when the smack begins to flow
Then I really don't care anymore
Ah, when the heroin is in my blood
And that blood is in my head
Then thank God that I'm good as dead
Then thank your God that I'm not aware
And thank God that I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess I just don't know



@sydneymedley4938

lyrics!!!

I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm gonna try for the kingdom, if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
And I'll tell ya, things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made the big decision
I'm gonna try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
And you can't help me now, you guys
And all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sail the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
In a sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man can not be free
Of all of the evils of this town
And of himself, and those around
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off and dead
Because when the smack begins to flow
I really don't care anymore
About all the Jim-Jim's in this town
And all the politicians makin' crazy sounds
And everybody puttin' everybody else down
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
'Cause when the smack begins to flow
Then I really don't care anymore
Ah, when the heroin is in my blood
And that blood is in my head
Then thank God that I'm as good as dead
Then thank your God that I'm not aware
And thank God that I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess I just don't know



All comments from YouTube:

@nancyspungen556

"Song only"
Sorry guys, there isn't any actual heroin to be found here.

@Jagethemage

+Nancy Spungen B.Y.O.D.

@Taleton

+Nancy Spungen shiiiit.....

@felipefxD

+Nancy Spungen lol'd so hard. thanks :D

@gamehexwolf

+Nancy Spungen Ahahahaha fucking genius yo! xD

@caganeri

+Nancy Spungen This is what I actually wanted to write haha.

239 More Replies...

@RickyPisano

I shot dope for over 30 years man. Tried it at 15 years old and loved it from that moment. I got off it at 47 with Suboxone. Came off that at 58 using Kratom and now I'm finally clean. 60 years old. I was a heavy hitter who loved narcotics more than ANYTHING for most of my life. A LOT of dead friends. Looking back at where I've been and the things I did it's unbelievable. I STILL LOVE IT man..... but I know too well where that incredible high always brought me. And it was never good. Take my advice. If you're thinking of trying it..... DON'T. Because if you're anything like me.... you'll be in for the long haul after the first time.

@manojbala6870

Kratom is good I guess. Ayahuasca is better

@taddurrenberger3672

@@mashedpotatoes2593 why?

@carltoeski

Yep. Kratom got me out of it too.

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