I think there's likely a lot of different meanings to these lyrics and I've read here a variety of interesting opinions, some of which never occurred to me before.
Perhaps it takes one to know one however because for someone acquainted with opiate addiction, as Bradley was, there are quite a few obvious references to heroin use and abuse. It's my opinion that the underlying theme of the song is that of conveying some of the sad realities of opiate -- specifically heroin -- abuse.
As a fellow opiate addict, this is what I'm sure of:
"Tricks up one's sleeve" refers to the track marks left on one's arms by persistent IV drug use. Each injection site represents an injury to the body and repeated punctures lead to, at best, scarring. At worst, whether the injections be intravenous or intramuscular ("skin popping"), abscesses can develop and result in even more disfigurement.
"Itchy rash" and the references to "Rectite" are well-known to those who suffer from opiate abuse and withdrawal. Abusing opiates like heroin can cause elevated levels of chemicals called histamines in one's bloodstream. This causes your skin to itch and the resulting repeated scratching can lead to a rash. Also, a common symptom associated with opiate withdrawal is diarrhea. "Rectite" refers to a fictional product designed to seal up one's anus, thus curing persistent diarrhea. As far as I know, there's no such product. It's more of an urban legend, though Google seems to indicate that "Rectite" is also a French medical term related to the diarrhea caused by radiation treatment.
"Kentucky Fried Chicken" is another reference to track marks that can be caused by IV drug use, specifically the terrible damage caused by untreated abscesses. The resulting pockmarks and ridged scar tissue is said to be reminiscent of a piece of KFC fried chicken. Seeing that as you "hit your wake-up" (your first dose of the day) is truly a "hellified" way to start your day.
There are also other lyrics in this song which clearly can be interpreted in different ways. Here's what I speculate:
I don't know much about Bradley's upbringing or family life, but the first verse seems to indicate that his father wasn't much of a role model to say the least. Perhaps he leaves some of the blame for his later struggles with narcotics at the feet of a father absent for much of his life.
The references to mornings and the beginning of a day loom large for opiate addicts. It's the worst time of the day for someone in active addiction because one typically wakes up "sick," meaning the initial effects of opiate withdrawal can be felt. As I said before, it really is a "hellified way to start your day" and getting on your knees and praying for some sort of release from that Hell is not uncommon.
The phrase "it ain't me" is one that I can identify with as a recovering addict. We will do whatever is necessary to "get well" (once addicted, using opiates becomes less about getting high and more about staving off the effects of withdrawal) and that includes lying, cheating, stealing, etc. These behaviors shock those that know us best because our actions and the single-mindedness with which we pursue getting high are completely at odds with what our loved ones expect out of us. Truly though, our bad behavior isn't personal. It's simply a reflection of the hold dope can have over one's life.
Though it's obviously easy to construe the meaning of "take a load from my big gun" to be overtly sexual, I think that to an IV drug user, it clearly refers to the "shot" delivered by a hypodermic syringe.
Lastly, I think Bradley engages in a little irony towards the end of the song when he describes being able to "see for miles and miles," which is not an uncommon way to describe being high, while at the same time being broken-hearted. This resonates deeply with me because it's a perfect description of the allure of opiate use followed by the painful reality that the euphoria they cause comes with an incredibly painful price.
Regardless of what Bradley intended the song to mean in relation to his own life, "Same in the End" fucking rocks! :o)
Good luck, keep the knowledge up as it will help you know your triggers. I'm 7 years clean and agree with everything you said, still can't believe how much clarity Bradley had yet he still couldn't shake.
Good luck, keep the knowledge up as it will help you know your triggers. I'm 7 years clean and agree with everything you said, still can't believe how much clarity Bradley had yet he still couldn't shake.
I think there's likely a lot of different meanings to these lyrics and I've read here a variety of interesting opinions, some of which never occurred to me before.
Perhaps it takes one to know one however because for someone acquainted with opiate addiction, as Bradley was, there are quite a few obvious references to heroin use and abuse. It's my opinion that the underlying theme of the song is that of conveying some of the sad realities of opiate -- specifically heroin -- abuse.
As a fellow opiate addict, this is what I'm sure of:
"Tricks up one's sleeve" refers to the track marks left on one's arms by persistent IV drug use. Each injection site represents an injury to the body and repeated punctures lead to, at best, scarring. At worst, whether the injections be intravenous or intramuscular ("skin popping"), abscesses can develop and result in even more disfigurement.
"Itchy rash" and the references to "Rectite" are well-known to those who suffer from opiate abuse and withdrawal. Abusing opiates like heroin can cause elevated levels of chemicals called histamines in one's bloodstream. This causes your skin to itch and the resulting repeated scratching can lead to a rash. Also, a common symptom associated with opiate withdrawal is diarrhea. "Rectite" refers to a fictional product designed to seal up one's anus, thus curing persistent diarrhea. As far as I know, there's no such product. It's more of an urban legend, though Google seems to indicate that "Rectite" is also a French medical term related to the diarrhea caused by radiation treatment.
"Kentucky Fried Chicken" is another reference to track marks that can be caused by IV drug use, specifically the terrible damage caused by untreated abscesses. The resulting pockmarks and ridged scar tissue is said to be reminiscent of a piece of KFC fried chicken. Seeing that as you "hit your wake-up" (your first dose of the day) is truly a "hellified" way to start your day.
There are also other lyrics in this song which clearly can be interpreted in different ways. Here's what I speculate:
I don't know much about Bradley's upbringing or family life, but the first verse seems to indicate that his father wasn't much of a role model to say the least. Perhaps he leaves some of the blame for his later struggles with narcotics at the feet of a father absent for much of his life.
The references to mornings and the beginning of a day loom large for opiate addicts. It's the worst time of the day for someone in active addiction because one typically wakes up "sick," meaning the initial effects of opiate withdrawal can be felt. As I said before, it really is a "hellified way to start your day" and getting on your knees and praying for some sort of release from that Hell is not uncommon.
The phrase "it ain't me" is one that I can identify with as a recovering addict. We will do whatever is necessary to "get well" (once addicted, using opiates becomes less about getting high and more about staving off the effects of withdrawal) and that includes lying, cheating, stealing, etc. These behaviors shock those that know us best because our actions and the single-mindedness with which we pursue getting high are completely at odds with what our loved ones expect out of us. Truly though, our bad behavior isn't personal. It's simply a reflection of the hold dope can have over one's life.
Though it's obviously easy to construe the meaning of "take a load from my big gun" to be overtly sexual, I think that to an IV drug user, it clearly refers to the "shot" delivered by a hypodermic syringe.
Lastly, I think Bradley engages in a little irony towards the end of the song when he describes being able to "see for miles and miles," which is not an uncommon way to describe being high, while at the same time being broken-hearted. This resonates deeply with me because it's a perfect description of the allure of opiate use followed by the painful reality that the euphoria they cause comes with an incredibly painful price.
Regardless of what Bradley intended the song to mean in relation to his own life, "Same in the End" fucking rocks! :o)
Good luck, keep the knowledge up as it will help you know your triggers. I'm 7 years clean and agree with everything you said, still can't believe how much clarity Bradley had yet he still couldn't shake.
Good luck, keep the knowledge up as it will help you know your triggers. I'm 7 years clean and agree with everything you said, still can't believe how much clarity Bradley had yet he still couldn't shake.