Although I agree that anyone is free to interpret any song however they feel, this song in particular is one of Elliott's most explicit addiction songs. It may have other significance, but it's clearly and most directly about heroin addiction and specifically waiting in line for methadone.
"dying shooting stars" - the pour souls who have wasted their life on this stupid ("shit") drug.
"All we got to show...same kind of scars" - trackmarks
"Waiting for something...single file" - waiting in line at the clinic. Also, waiting for something in your life to change, without trying to make it happen.
"...arm's got a death in it" - again, trackmarks
"If you're choking up take this paper cup" - If you're relapsing, here's some methodone (always dispersed in paper cups in clinics)
"...price you'll pay..." - you're gonna die just trying to fit in
*"...bitter pill or somebody else will." - take your dose or someone else will be happy to, and will.
Although I agree that anyone is free to interpret any song however they feel, this song in particular is one of Elliott's most explicit addiction songs. It may have other significance, but it's clearly and most directly about heroin addiction and specifically waiting in line for methadone.
"dying shooting stars" - the pour souls who have wasted their life on this stupid ("shit") drug. "All we got to show...same kind of scars" - trackmarks "Waiting for something...single file" - waiting in line at the clinic. Also, waiting for something in your life to change, without trying to make it happen. "...arm's got a death in it" - again, trackmarks "If you're choking up take this paper cup" - If you're relapsing, here's some methodone (always dispersed in paper cups in clinics) "...price you'll pay..." - you're gonna die just trying to fit in *"...bitter pill or somebody else will." - take your dose or someone else will be happy to, and will.
RIP Elliott