High by The Chainsmokers Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Emotional Rollercoaster of Love and Addiction
Lyrics
So far, so good
Mm, oh, yeah
Why? You only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it’s gonna change, but it never does
Why? You’ll only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit’s gonna change, but it never does
Tell me that you’re gonna change
Then act like this instead
I’m too old to want somebody who’s always switching up their friends
I can’t make you love me but at least you could pretend
Scrips gon’ lead to fifths until I’m fucked out of my head
You play the same old songs, I know that you’re different in your Air Force 1s
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say this shit’s gonna change, but it never does
Why? You only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it’s gonna change, but it never does
Why? You’ll only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit’s gonna change, but it never does
I know it’s my fault, I pick up your phone calls
When it’s half past one and you’re halfway drunk
You say you love me and it sounds so dumb
But you’re the only one I can’t run away from
The same old songs, I know that you’re different in your Air Force 1s
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say this shit’s gonna change, but it never does
Why? You only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it’s gonna change, but it never does
Why? You’ll only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit’s gonna change, but it never does
You always swear that shit’s gonna change, but it never does
The Chainsmokers, known for their uncanny ability to tap into the zeitgeist of millennial emotion, deliver yet another eerie snapshot of love in the digital age with ‘High.’ This track peels back the layers of a troubled relationship, one marred by the debilitating cycle of substance abuse and empty promises. Through its hauntingly relatable lyrics, ‘High’ serves as both a mirror and a window into the complexities of modern love and dependency.
Weaving a sonic fabric that captures the essence of yearning and the numbness of repetition, ‘High’ lingers in the liminal space where romance and addiction collide. It’s a poignant narrative wrapped in the signature electronic alchemy The Chainsmokers are revered for. As we delve deeper into the lyrics, we’re compelled to confront the harsh truths about the human condition, and the ways in which we seek—and sometimes destroy—connection.
The Vicious Cycle: A Dance of Dependency and Denial
At its core, ‘High’ portrays a relationship ensnared in the loop of dependency. Fueled by substance-induced illusions, the song’s narrative dissects the emotional whirlpool where love is professed only in moments of intoxication. ‘Why? You only say you love me when you’re high,’ sings the protagonist, stripping bare the realization that their bond, perhaps, exists only within the altered realms.
The Chainsmokers capture the essence of yearning for something real amidst the artificial highs. The repetitious nature of the lyrics mimics the unchanging cycle of promises and letdowns that the speaker endures, highlighting the toll it takes on them emotionally. They’re left craving for change, for something tangible and stable—yet it feels perpetually out of reach.
A Mirror to The Facade of Pretense in Relationships
One cannot escape the raw honesty of the lyrics as they convey a narrative many find all too familiar—pretending to feel emotions that aren’t there. ‘I can’t make you love me but at least you could pretend,’ the lyrics implore, unfolding a tale of desperation and the acquiescence to a half-love that stings deep within the soul.
It’s a commentary on the modern love experience, where misconstrued messages of affection often soar on the wings of convenience or worse, inebriation. The call for pretense encapsulates the irony of wanting to believe in a love that’s known to be an illusion, reflecting the inner conflict between holding on and letting go.
The Echo of Addiction in the Reverb of Regret
References to substance abuse ripple through the verses of ‘High,’ artfully intertwined with the emotional fabric. ‘Scrips gon’ lead to fifths until I’m fucked out of my head,’ illustrates the numbing cycle where emotional pain and substance misuse reinforce one another, creating a toxic amalgam hard to escape. It lends to the song a dark undercurrent, one many listeners can relate to on varying levels.
The way in which the lyrics parallel the addiction to another person with that of substance addiction is striking. Both are consuming, destructive, and often leave a trail of regret in their wake. The Chainsmokers don’t shy away from this raw depiction; instead, they embed it in the melody, letting the truth of the words resonate with those who understand that reality all too well.
Memorable Lines that Break and Bind: The Power of Words
‘You play the same old songs, I know that you’re different in your Air Force 1s,’ stands out not just for its vivid imagery, but for the distinction it draws between genuine change and superficial alterations. The Shoes – so often the symbol of identity in pop culture – here, represent a misplaced hope for transformation, one that never seems to materialize.
The Chainsmokers use these lines to stress on the superficiality we often fall for, mistaking appearance and temporary highs for true evolution of the self or the relationship. It’s a haunting reminder that often, the most memorable lines are those that unveil uncomfortable truths.
The Hidden Meaning: Are We All Chasing Ephemeral Highs?
While the surface narrative of ‘High’ wrestles with love and addiction, a hidden layer beckons listeners to ponder a broader societal metaphor. Are we all in our various ways, searching for our next high? The Chainsmokers challenge us to examine whether our everyday pursuits—for love, wealth, status, or even happiness—are fueled by authentic desires or are merely attempts to fill voids within ourselves.
Through its hypnotic chorus and piercing verses, ‘High’ becomes a melancholic anthem for the disillusioned. The song whispers the uncomfortable question of whether the ever-changing, rapid-pace world leaves us grasping for temporary fixes. It seems The Chainsmokers aren’t just talking about a singular relationship but are holding up a mirror to the human condition—a reflection that’s both alluring and alarming.
