Purple Hills by D12 Lyrics Meaning – Exploring the Psychedelic Narrative
Lyrics
Yo yo yo, yo
I take a couple uppers, I down a couple downers
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
I’ve been to mushroom mountain, once or twice but who’s countin’?
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills (yo, yo)
Cool, calm, just like my mom
With a couple of Valium inside her palm
It’s Mr. Mischief with a trick up his sleeve
Roll up on you like Christopher Reeves
I can’t describe the vibe I get
When I drive by six people and five I hit (whoops)
Aw shit, I started a mosh pit
Squashed a bitch and stomped her foster kids (ah!)
These shrooms make me hallucinate
Then I sweat ’til I start losin’ weight
‘Til I see dumb shit start happenin’
Dumber than Vanilla Ice tryna rap again (oh)
So bounce, bounce, come on bounce
I said come on, bounce!
Everybody in the house with a half an ounce (me!)
Not weed, I meant coke, dumb-ass sit down
We don’t bullshit, better ask around
D12 throws the bombest bash in town
Bizarre, your mom is passin’ out
Get her ass on the couch ‘fore she crashes out (come on)
Fuck that, someone help Denaun
He’s upstairs naked with a weapon drawn
Hey Von you see me steppin’ on these leprechauns?
It gotta be acid ’cause the X is gone
Yeah, I took ’em all, dog, with some parmesan
And I think my arm is gone
Naw, it’s probably numb
Young, dumb, and full of cum
And I think he ’bout to swallow his tongue
Scary ass it was a false alarm
You think I’m ’bout to die when I just got on?
Well, stop actin’ stupid
You so high that you might wake up with a guy on some new shit (ew)
Yeah, I think I did too much (uh-huh)
This substance equals cups (uh-huh)
Red pills, blue pills, and green
Big pills (that’s ill), mescaline!
I take a couple uppers, I down a couple downers
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
I’ve been to mushroom mountain, once or twice but who’s countin’?
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
Dirty Dozen, eighty of us, Shady brothers, ladies love us
That’s why our baby mothers love us but they hate each other
They probably wanna take each other out and date each other
Some, some, some, some, something, something, something, I don’t know, fuck it
Pop pills, pills I pop
Pop two pills, on stilts I walk
Snort two lines that were filled with chalk
Thought I was incredible and killed the Hulk (oh)
I wanna, roll away like a rollerblade
Until my eyes roll back in my skull for days
And when I’m old and gray look for dope to smoke
No okey-doke, I’m packin’ my nose with coke
Am I supposed to choke?
Had an accident when the Trojan broke
Aw, poor baby, born by whore lady
Now I gotta strangle a (you’re crazy!) Ha!
I pop four E’s at one time
And I don’t need water when I’m swallowin’ mine
(Hey, you got any shrooms?)
Does Bizarre smoke crack?
We can’t get jobs, because our arms show tracks (trace)
Why the hell you niggas think I rap?
We do it just to get your company hijacked (uh)
If you like smack (uh-huh), then I might too (Swift, chill!)
I just wanna get high like you
And I don’t give a damn if they white or blue (uh-huh)
Speed, shrooms, down the Valiums (uh-huh)
Even smoke weed out of vacuums
I just copped some and I’m goin’ back soon
I take a couple uppers, I down a couple downers
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
I’ve been to mushroom mountain, once or twice but who’s countin’?
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
I’m at rave, lookin’ like a slave, high off chronic
Gin and tonic demonic, body smell like vomit
Pussy poppin’, acid droppin’, dope-headed guy
Heroin, mescaline, pencilnecks, wanna try?
Blue pills, golden seals, got Bizarre, actin’ ill
Drugs kill (yeah right) bitch, I’m for real!
Shut your mouth you dirty slut
You know you want it in your butt
I’ll put it in your cunt
Let Bizarre nut!
I take a couple uppers, I down a couple downers
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
I’ve been to mushroom mountain, once or twice but who’s countin’?
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
Dirty Dozen, eighty of us, Shady brothers, ladies love us
That’s why our baby mothers love us but they hate each other
They probably wanna take each other out and date each other
Some, some, some, some, something, something, something, I don’t know, fuck it
A song that encapsulates the chaotic vibrancy of early 2000s rap music, ‘Purple Hills’ by D12 is replete with a hallucinogenic energy that pulses through each verse with unapologetic intensity. At the surface, it’s an anthem for wild parties and unbound indulgence, but at its core, there’s an immersion into the taboo and a stark reflection of addiction and escapism that pervaded that era’s hip-hop scene.
Crafting a raucous soundscape that’s both darkly comedic and bitingly honest, D12 takes listeners on a trip to the very edges of sense and sobriety. To dive deep into ‘Purple Hills’ is to explore a tapestry weaved with threads of gritty reality, vivid imagination, and a poignant commentary on substance use.
Climbing Mushroom Mountain: The Lure of a Psychedelic Escape
There’s a raw, unnerving allure to how the group describes their hallucinogenic experiences, evident in the metaphorical ‘Mushroom Mountain.’ It’s an invitation to a place where reality warps, and the number of visits is less important than the quality of each trip. Outlined as a coping mechanism, a break from the weights of life, the repeated ascents signal a dependency—a metaphorical chasing of a high that’s unmatched yet tragic.
D12 takes us beyond the glamorization of drug culture and reveals a layer where the lines blur between entertainment and a jarring acknowledgment of its consequences. It’s a paradox of seeking liberation through means that often lead to confinement within an addictive cycle.
A Web of Substance Euphemisms: Dissecting the Colors and Pills
The repeated mantra of ‘blue and yellow purple pills’ constructs more than a catchy hook; it’s a masterstroke in using colors and imagery to veil the harshness of drug experiences. These euphemisms present a hyperbolic, psychedelic world that masks the gritty reality of substance abuse behind a kaleidoscope of hues.
By infusing humor and absurdity into the descriptions of their high, the group juxtaposes the perceived pleasures with an implicit understanding of its risks and repercussions. It’s an ironic twist that while the audience is bouncing to the tune, they’re simultaneously being exposed to a narrative of excess and its many downfalls.
The Complicity of Comedic Rhymes in Revealing a Harsh Truth
D12 demonstrates a deft blending of humor and reality, giving ‘Purple Hills’ a satirical edge that belies a deeper significance. Their comedic analogies, such as comparing mishaps under the influence to cartoonish scenarios involving celebrities, strike as both humorous and melancholic.
In a skillful turn, the group flips the narrative from the listener’s laughter to a sudden reflection, making one question if the amusement is rooted in relatability or the absurdity of escape mechanisms people often employ. D12 reflects on a culture flush with escapism yet hollowed out by its means.
The Balanced Mix of Euphoria and Paranoia in a Pill-Fueled Saga
What strikes a resonant chord in ‘Purple Hills’ is not just the portrayal of euphoria but the undercurrent of paranoia and reality checks, as seen in lines like ‘Scary ass it was a false alarm’ and ‘You think I’m ’bout to die when I just got on?’. The song reflects a constant battle between maintaining the high and grappling with the fear of its consequences.
D12 doesn’t shy away from depicting the oscillation between seeking the next rush and staring down the abyss of addiction’s darker side. It’s a powerful dichotomy that captures the song’s spirit and underscores the fragile line walked by those caught in the pursuit of these purple hills.
Memorable Lines: A Mirror to the Madness
‘I’ve been to mushroom mountain, once or twice but who’s countin’?’ This iconic line serves as a conduit for the song’s hidden meaning about the cyclical nature of substance use and abuse. It hints at denial, the diminished importance of frequency over intensity, and the hazy recollection of experiences when under the influence.
Wrapped up in a single sentence is the essence of the song’s narrative — a tale of seeking highs, losing count, and losing oneself in the process. As listeners, we are challenged to navigate this landscape of rhythm and rhyme, finding both empathy for and caution against the perils of these purple pills.
