Every song of the album depicts different viewpoints of addiction. The name itself, "Thirteenth step" is a direct reference to the 12 step programs of AA and NA.
"I didn't want to know
I just didn't want to know
Best to keep things in the shallow end
Cause I never quite learned how to swim "
^-This song is about being in denial about a loved one's opiate abuse while they ruin their life over it.
"Call an optimist, she's turning blue
Such a lovely color for you
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue
While I just sit and stare at you "
^- When some one is dieing/"falling out" from a heroin overdose, they turn a blue-ish color and twitch. The person is just hoping for the best, that their loved one will just be okay without anyone intervening. Obviously this never happens because they just "sit and stare" at the addicted love one, letting the person just die from the opiate abuse.
"Mistook their nods for an approval
Just ignore the smoke and smile "
^- Referring to 'nodding out' while under the influence of heroin, smoke from the actual process of doing the drug.
Her turning blue is a sign that something is wrong.
Her turning blue is a sign that something is wrong.
One metaphor for any major problem is a fire and you notice smoke before the fire.
One metaphor for any major problem is a fire and you notice smoke before the fire.
In this case, the signs of her addiction are starting to show and at this point he's choosing to ignore them to continue to live in ignorance, in spite of the fact that she is dying. This is the smoke he's ignoring.
In this case, the signs of her addiction are starting to show and at this point he's choosing to ignore them to continue to live in ignorance, in spite of the fact that she is dying. This is the smoke he's ignoring.
@CSKupo1959 Best description so far. You did background reading––thanks, that's refreshing. I'm reeling because I never noticed the "mistook their nods for approval" when it's so fucking obvious holy shit. Thanks.
@CSKupo1959 Best description so far. You did background reading––thanks, that's refreshing. I'm reeling because I never noticed the "mistook their nods for approval" when it's so fucking obvious holy shit. Thanks.
@CSKupo1959 You missed the smoke part out. This "turning blue"-term is often used for overdosed heroine users. They turn blue due to their lack of oxygen.
@CSKupo1959 You missed the smoke part out. This "turning blue"-term is often used for overdosed heroine users. They turn blue due to their lack of oxygen.
You can also smoke heroine. That must be the meaning of the "ignore the smoke" part. Completely fits in your songmeaning of course, and for me it was just the remaining puzzle piece.
You can also smoke heroine. That must be the meaning of the "ignore the smoke" part. Completely fits in your songmeaning of course, and for me it was just the remaining puzzle piece.
Every song of the album depicts different viewpoints of addiction. The name itself, "Thirteenth step" is a direct reference to the 12 step programs of AA and NA.
"I didn't want to know I just didn't want to know Best to keep things in the shallow end Cause I never quite learned how to swim " ^-This song is about being in denial about a loved one's opiate abuse while they ruin their life over it.
"Call an optimist, she's turning blue Such a lovely color for you Call it aftermath, she's turning blue While I just sit and stare at you " ^- When some one is dieing/"falling out" from a heroin overdose, they turn a blue-ish color and twitch. The person is just hoping for the best, that their loved one will just be okay without anyone intervening. Obviously this never happens because they just "sit and stare" at the addicted love one, letting the person just die from the opiate abuse.
"Mistook their nods for an approval Just ignore the smoke and smile " ^- Referring to 'nodding out' while under the influence of heroin, smoke from the actual process of doing the drug.
Ignoring the smoke is a metaphor as well.
Ignoring the smoke is a metaphor as well.
Her turning blue is a sign that something is wrong.
Her turning blue is a sign that something is wrong.
One metaphor for any major problem is a fire and you notice smoke before the fire.
One metaphor for any major problem is a fire and you notice smoke before the fire.
In this case, the signs of her addiction are starting to show and at this point he's choosing to ignore them to continue to live in ignorance, in spite of the fact that she is dying. This is the smoke he's ignoring.
In this case, the signs of her addiction are starting to show and at this point he's choosing to ignore them to continue to live in ignorance, in spite of the fact that she is dying. This is the smoke he's ignoring.
@CSKupo1959 Best description so far. You did background reading––thanks, that's refreshing. I'm reeling because I never noticed the "mistook their nods for approval" when it's so fucking obvious holy shit. Thanks.
@CSKupo1959 Best description so far. You did background reading––thanks, that's refreshing. I'm reeling because I never noticed the "mistook their nods for approval" when it's so fucking obvious holy shit. Thanks.
@CSKupo1959 You missed the smoke part out. This "turning blue"-term is often used for overdosed heroine users. They turn blue due to their lack of oxygen.
@CSKupo1959 You missed the smoke part out. This "turning blue"-term is often used for overdosed heroine users. They turn blue due to their lack of oxygen.
You can also smoke heroine. That must be the meaning of the "ignore the smoke" part. Completely fits in your songmeaning of course, and for me it was just the remaining puzzle piece.
You can also smoke heroine. That must be the meaning of the "ignore the smoke" part. Completely fits in your songmeaning of course, and for me it was just the remaining puzzle piece.