This is the first time I've actually looked the lyrics up. I always misunderstood a few spots, so I took it differently (though my theory had some holes). By whatever logic, I turned it into being from the perspective of a drug dealer who later started using. A few lines that aided this:
"Everything I gave is what I need" - The drugs he sold are what he now craves
"Now I know why you've been shakin'" - "Shaking", as in having withdrawals from heroin or something
"Now I know why you've been takin'" - "Taking" said drugs
"Counting all the hands I shook" - All the previous deals he made
"And laughing every time I [toke]" - Misheard lyric on my part, but like laughing when you take a hit of weed
Those were my favorites to point out. Most of the other lines fit this in my head, but there are a few that never made perfect sense in this context. The above definitions are probably more accurate as to what SG intended, but I thought it was a neat little story that made for a cool song.
This is the first time I've actually looked the lyrics up. I always misunderstood a few spots, so I took it differently (though my theory had some holes). By whatever logic, I turned it into being from the perspective of a drug dealer who later started using. A few lines that aided this:
"Everything I gave is what I need" - The drugs he sold are what he now craves "Now I know why you've been shakin'" - "Shaking", as in having withdrawals from heroin or something "Now I know why you've been takin'" - "Taking" said drugs "Counting all the hands I shook" - All the previous deals he made "And laughing every time I [toke]" - Misheard lyric on my part, but like laughing when you take a hit of weed
Those were my favorites to point out. Most of the other lines fit this in my head, but there are a few that never made perfect sense in this context. The above definitions are probably more accurate as to what SG intended, but I thought it was a neat little story that made for a cool song.
@BurntGerbil yessss.. He was the dope man! It all makes sense now.. All the soundgarden songs..
@BurntGerbil yessss.. He was the dope man! It all makes sense now.. All the soundgarden songs..