Lyric discussion by Ally! 

Cover art for Cough Syrup lyrics by Young the Giant

Wow, you guys are ridiculous. You really think this song is talking about cough syrup abuse - and even more ridiculously think they're trying to manipulate the young audience to do drugs.

It's all a metaphor. Cough syrup as other people have said, a metaphor for coping. Cough syrup doesn't "cure" you of the cold or common flu. It just temporarily gets rid of the symptoms. The writer of this song is saying that he's trying to find ways to "feel" happy, but he's still really depressed on the inside. His coping mechanism is only temporary until it "comes down" and he feels his true depression again.

"Life’s too short to even care at all I’m coming up now coming up now out of the blue" Stop caring what other people think is the true to key to happiness. Stop following the crowd.

"These zombies in the park are looking for my heart" The depression is starting to come around again.

"A dark world aches for a splash of the sun" Everyone - not just the writer of the song - is trying to find their true happiness (the sun) in this "dark world".

"And I run to the things they say could restore me Restore life the way it should be" Again, trying to find happiness in what other people want you to do.

That's just my two cents. :)

cheers

Someone who understands music : )

My interpretation is not "ridiculous" - you probably have a bias towards altered states of mind.

Yours is an obvious interpretation. Check some comments below - apparently we have a slight confirmation of my interpretation. Perhaps not a full trip, but under the influence of some dextromethorphan - yes.

Also appreciating the irony of smitty, and the sensationalism of FuckMTV.