A hundred dollars used to be more than enough
And now a hundred times a day and still it's not enough
People always tell me you get what you deserve
All I know is all and all is all I've heard

I heard you say: "you know I hate myself
But I love everybody else"
And did you say: "I can't escape myself"
And then you did and now there's no one else

To blame you know that I know yeah that times are rough
I'd like to help you out but things are rather tough
People always tell me that you've got to lend a helping hand
Nothing in return is all I expect from you my friend

I heard you say: "you know I hate myself
But I love everybody else"
And did you say: "I can't escape myself"
And then you did and now there's no one else

I heard you say: "you know I hate myself
But I love everybody else"
And did you say: "I can't escape myself"
And then you do and now there's no one else


Lyrics submitted by shut

Junkie's Promise Lyrics as written by Lee M. Ranaldo Kim Gordon

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Junkie's Promise song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    It doesn't have to be a drug, there are many ways of being a junkie, like parental failures, burdens of the past, problems with relationships. Sometimes people just get stuck to many things in vicious circles that go nowhere, always disappointing the ones they care for since they can't get past the problem, regardless if chemical, psychological, etc.

    That's the whole point of a "junkie's promise": They can't promise anything contrary to their addiction (whatever that is), for it won't let them do so. Hence the self-hate and the limited view of others as either "helpers" or people who won't care about them. This concept seems to fit not only Kurt Cobain's story but also that of gratefultsui, or rimiska and melonforecstasy's ideas.

    Despite having no lyrics, the ending always felt very sinister to me, like a suicide, a sudden break of the circle. One of the best songs in Washing Machine!

    Santiagofon May 06, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song gives me a good feeling, i dunno what it is about it but sonic youth has it.

    insulatedsoulon April 19, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song gives me a good feeling, i dunno what it is about it but sonic youth has it.

    insulatedsoulon April 19, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    apparently, this song is about Cobain. not positive, but it makes sense.

    kyasarinon June 06, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i bet it is about Cobain. They tributed their song "disconnection notice" to Cobain at a show i saw, and they were really good friends

    sonicseaon June 25, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah, it definately is about cobain. its really obvious. they were good friends, it was sy who told geffen to sign nirvana.

    "I heard you say: "you know I hate myself but I love everybody else" "

    thats almost a direct quote!

    miss_bon May 29, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Thurston Moore has apprently said: "Apart from obvious references this song isnt about Kurt" so your guess is as good as mine ?!

    whiskeyclonehotelon September 05, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think the song is about how one lets down the people who care about him/her despite how much he doesn't mean to, the addiction always prevails, and how the "junkie" feels defeated ("you know I hate myself, but I love everybody else") but can't help himself despite how much he cares for his loved ones ("i can't escape myself") . Some of the people who care about him begin losing hope in him, losing faith, and when he finally comes clean, many people he cares about have already abandoned him. (and then you do and now there's no one else).

    rimiskaon March 18, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    what the last person wrote- thats pretty much describing Kurt Cobain's realationship with 'heroine'.

    toomanyhumanson August 17, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    You people are tools...it's not about Kurt Cobain. It's about being an actual junkie(not that he wasn't) get off your arses and be people...experience life please!

    Zunkon December 24, 2007   Link

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