Bill Withers was inspired to write the song after watching the 1962 movie Days of Wine and Roses.The film depicts the downward spiral of two everyday Americans, played by Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick,who succumb to alcoholism and attempt to deal with their problems.
They were both alcoholics who were alternately weak and strong. It's like going back for seconds on rat poison. Sometimes you miss things that weren't particularly good for you. It's just something that crossed my mind from watching that movie."
Pretty sure this is the meaning.
Bill Withers was inspired to write the song after watching the 1962 movie Days of Wine and Roses.The film depicts the downward spiral of two everyday Americans, played by Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick,who succumb to alcoholism and attempt to deal with their problems.
They were both alcoholics who were alternately weak and strong. It's like going back for seconds on rat poison. Sometimes you miss things that weren't particularly good for you. It's just something that crossed my mind from watching that movie."
Bill Withers