The Perfect Drug

Nine Inch Nails

I've got my head, but my head is unraveling
Can't keep control, can't keep track of where it's traveling
I've got my heart, but my heart's no good
And you're the only one that's understood
I'd come along, but I don't know where you're taking me
I shouldn't go, but you're reaching, dragging, shaking me
Turn off the sun, pull the stars from the sky
The more I give to you, the more I die

And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you

You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug

You make me hard when I'm all soft inside
I see the truth when I'm all stupid-eyed
The arrow goes straight through my heart
Without you, everything just falls apart

My blood wants to say hello to you
My fears want to get inside of you
My soul is so afraid to realize
How very little good is left of me

And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you

You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug

You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug

Take me with you
Take me with you
Take me with you
Take me with you

(Take me) Without you
(With you) Without you, everything falls apart
(Take me) Without you
(With you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
(Take me) Without you
(With you) Without you, everything falls apart
(Take me) Without you
(With you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
(Take me with you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
(Take me with you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
Without you, without you, everything falls apart
Without you, it's not as much fun to pick up the pieces


Lyrics submitted by TwiggysFuckDoll, edited by NINja94, Lyssavirus, tryptych

The Perfect Drug Lyrics as written by Chris Alan Vrenna Charles Clouser

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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The Perfect Drug song meanings
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160 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment
    I think what Trent may be trying to say is that the person he is in a relationship with makes him feel like he is dieing inside like he's losing his identity. But if he or the other person stopped the relationship his life would fall apart, as if the person was like a sercurity blanket for him and I also get the feeling that this person may intimidate him quite a bit this may also make him feel like he is dieing inside because he has no control over the relationship its just the other person, he feels like nothing.. I think this may explain why he calls this person the perfect drug, the person is security and also a buzz but it is destroying him at the same time but he couldn't cope with out it. Any way I'm going to stop talking now cause I'm irrating myself.
    SongMeaningson May 07, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment
    This song is a perfect representation of multiple personality disorder. The singer is basically losing it, his head is unraveling, he cant keep control. His perfect drug is the new personality he has created to help deal with his problems. The more he gives to the new side, the more his old self dies. Everything about the new identity is better, stronger, more capable, but deep inside he knows that there is very little left of his original persona. Thus in the end the new, darker side of his mind becomes dominant, because the weaker personality has realized that without him everything falls apart. Anyone who has read or seen Fight Club will know exactly what I mean.
    Smokeon July 13, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    I think this song is just about alcohol addiction and the effects is has not only on oneself but others around you. In the video, Trent drinks Absinthe, which has substances in it which are an epileptic. I believe this is "The Perfect Drug" he's referring too. Then there's the double meaning with the girl. Obviously, whoever he was with at the time left him cuz of it, his addiction, causing regret and a battle bwtween good and evil within him. That's just my opinion.
    jjjeremmon February 26, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    this is such a sexy song.
    pumpkingirlon May 08, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Smoke intresting, That could be it but again maybe your reading into a little bit too much thats going all little too much head case there, i feel more like the song is about a reationship the methphor a girl for a drug makes more sense then an alter ego smoke i think you just smoke to much
    nysirkon April 25, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    he just wants to get into some chicks pants in RL love poem styles like someone said b4 if someone said they were the perfect drug theyd love it ever thought that the 1st verse is about him druged out and wasted (on real drugs) but this chick is the "perfect drug" to him and gives him the same/more goodness than any manufactured drug. simple. also an excuse to put in those kick arse beats. gota lay the beats somewhere. y not in a poem to get the mrs wet?
    moleman124on July 07, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Most of the time when there's a literal meaning and a possible symbolic meaning that there is no consensus on what's trying to be accomplished is both. He's talking about drugs AND lust (love?), making the connection between the two. They're damn similar.
    mistakenfaithon November 14, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    that is the perfect word to describe this song, sexy.
    chotee666on May 17, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Damn, why can't my girlfriend like NIN:P
    BrokenSwordon May 18, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is so sexy to me. It would really turn me on to hear a guy tell me I'm his "perfect drug."
    nietzsche_66on May 23, 2002   Link

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