Low – Medicine Magazines

Know something about this song or lyrics? Add it to our wiki.
They'll never cure this thing
With medicine and magazines

I know you play your part
You cover up your ever-aching heart

No one knows where you are
And no one thought you'd ever
Get that far

And how can it be that fun
When everyone around you
Dies so young?

And I'm not your favorite one
But who will walk you out
When it's all done?


Lyrics submitted by WastedYouth

Medicine Magazines song meanings
Add your thoughts

9 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General CommentOh, man, this song just KILLS me. the "ever-aching heart" thing. ouch. Low's kind of confusing to me... they have some of the most gorgeous lyrics I've ever heard, and executed so beautifully... I think this is just about someone hurting in general... Alan and Mimi have something behind it, I'm sure, but I think the beauty of Low is that they leave you to decipher the lyrics for your own meaning...
    youwantedaheroon July 22, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI see two people going to the doctor, as they've done many times before. One of them has a terminal disease or a perpetual condition that will probably end their life early. The other is healthy, but weakened by watching the plight of the other. It seems like they experience simultaneous epiphanies on this trip: the perpetuity of their struggle.

    As with most of Low's songs, interpretation proves fairly elusive, but that's my best guess to this song's root.

    Last second thought: it could be about an abortion.
    green3on May 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI see two people going to the doctor, as they've done many times before. One of them has a terminal disease or a perpetual condition that will probably end their life early. The other is healthy, but weakened by watching the plight of the other. It seems like they experience simultaneous epiphanies on this trip: the perpetuity of their struggle.

    As with most of Low's songs, interpretation proves fairly elusive, but that's my best guess to this song's root.

    Last second thought: it could be about an abortion.
    green3on May 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentHehe... Sorry for that double-post -- damned POST cache! Hopefully, it doesn't completely dissolve my cred.
    green3on May 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think this is about one of these marriages that isn't a real marriage anymore: the love is gone, a disease for which there exist no medicine.
    'When everyone around you
    Dies so young? '
    I think this has to be interpreted symbolically: they don't really die, they just disappear, no one goes to visit them anymore, because there is no more joy, no more 'joie de vivre'...
    The great destroyeron May 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Commentpersonally, i see this as dealing with being in a relationship with an addict, when you don't use. lots of their lyrics are about that sort of thing (amazing grace, laser beam, etc.) so it's not a real leap.

    "how can it be that fun, when everyone around you dies so young"
    noondayon October 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think it's more about a rebellious youth and a somewhat more stable younger person. As the more rebellious one spirals off because of his/her "ever breaking heart" and runs away. I got this impression because it sounds like the person that's being sung to is pretending to have fun but is just dying inside, while everyone around him/her is burning out and "dying young". In the end, the singer will always be there for the rebel, even if the rebel doesn't appreciate him/her.

    ...Abortion? What?
    WildlifeAnalysison February 29, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti also think its about a drug addict, living with one, knowing that the only thing that can cure your loved one is themselves.

    The aching heart bit comes from the addict not being happy (they are only at peace when high) and also from hurting others, put up a front and pretend this is want you want and that you aren't phased by hurting the non-addict.

    Others not knowing where the addict is, not thinking they'd still be alive after all this time, get that far...

    noonday has touched on the lyric about dying young..

    who will walk you out when its all done -- this could be the co-dependent taking the addict home from their multiple attempts at rehab, or having called them from a party gone wrong... Who will be there tp pick up the pieces when this is all done?
    mscatamaranon October 17, 2008   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General CommentSorry, first post on the site and I didn't realize I was replying to the post above instead of the topic.
    iembalmon May 01, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain