Heart Attack
Thin Lizzy Lyrics


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Mama, I'm dying of a heart attack, heart attack, heart attack
I love that girl, but she don't love me back
My girl, she tells me that we're breaking up, breaking up, breaking up
My heart can't handle the strain that's shaking it

She tried to tell me not so long ago
I would not listen but now I know
Papa, I'm drinking for an overload, overload, overload
The gun in my pocket is all ready to explode
Papa, I'm dying of an overdose, overdose, overdose
I tried to warn you, don't come too close

I tried to tell you way back when we were young
I tried to warn you there was something wrong
Mama, I'm dying
Oh Papa, I'm dying, dying





Heart attack

Overall Meaning

In Thin Lizzy's song Heart Attack, the singer is in a state of emotional and physical breakdown as a result of his failed relationship with a woman. The song is told from the perspective of the singer who is experiencing a heart attack and is turning to drinking and drugs as a way to cope with the pain of his broken heart. The lyrics are packed with emotional statements, such as "I love that girl, but she don't love me back," and "My heart can't handle the strain that's shaking it."


Throughout the song, the singer is reaching out to his parents, expressing his pain and despair. He seeks comfort and support, but his parents are unable to provide the help he needs. It is clear that he has been dealing with this heartbreak for a while now, as he refers to a time "not so long ago" when his girlfriend attempted to warn him that the relationship was failing, but he did not listen. Now, he is doing everything in his power to try and dull the pain - drinking heavily and carrying a gun.


The song represents the complexities of dealing with heartbreak and the measures we take to cope with it. The singer's heart attack is both a representation of the physical strain his heart has been under, as well as a metaphor for the emotional pain he is experiencing. The song highlights the dangers of turning to dangerous habits such as drinking and drugs as a way to numb the pain and how important it is to seek out the support of those around us.


Line by Line Meaning

Mama, I'm dying of a heart attack, heart attack, heart attack
I feel like my heart is giving up on me. I am in pain and it feels like I am having a heart attack over and over again.


I love that girl, but she don't love me back
The feeling of love is not mutual. I love this girl so much, but she does not feel the same way.


My girl, she tells me that we're breaking up, breaking up, breaking up
My girlfriend is giving me the news that she wants to break up with me. This is not just a one-time conversation, but it has been happening repeatedly.


My heart can't handle the strain that's shaking it
Emotionally, I cannot bear the strain that this breakup is causing. My heart is so broken that I cannot handle the pain.


She tried to tell me not so long ago
It was not long ago when she tried to warn me about this happening, but I did not listen carefully enough.


I would not listen but now I know
At that time, I did not understand the gravity of the situation. However, now when it has happened, I understand the consequences of not listening to her.


Papa, I'm drinking for an overload, overload, overload
I am drinking heavily to the point of overload. I cannot handle the situation anymore and drinking is the only way I can relieve my pain.


The gun in my pocket is all ready to explode
I have a gun in my pocket that could go off at any moment. The situation is so unbearable that I am carrying a gun with me as a way of relief, but it's also dangerous.


Papa, I'm dying of an overdose, overdose, overdose
I have consumed so much that it could lead to an overdose. The drinking and substance abuse are getting out of hand, and I cannot seem to control them anymore.


I tried to warn you, don't come too close
I tried to tell you to keep a safe distance from me. I am not in a good place right now, and I do not want to hurt you unintentionally.


I tried to tell you way back when we were young
I warned you a long time ago that I am prone to addiction and self-destruction, but you did not take it seriously.


I tried to warn you there was something wrong
I told you that something was not right, but you did not listen. Now, I am in this situation where I cannot handle it anymore.


Mama, I'm dying
I am in a very bad situation, and I feel like I am dying on the inside.


Oh Papa, I'm dying, dying
I cannot comprehend the gravity of the situation, and I feel like I am dying. I need your help and support to get through it.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DARREN WHARTON, PHILIP PARRIS LYNOTT, WILLIAM SCOTT GORHAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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