Got So High

The Pretty Reckless' song 'Got So High' delves into the complex emotions surrounding success, disillusionment, and the pursuit of meaning. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who has reached a high point, both metaphorically and perhaps literally, only to find themselves lost and confused. The opening lines, 'Turned out wasted, confused, complacent, I / Lost my centers, suppose I meant to, I,' suggest a state of disorientation and a loss of direction, possibly due to the overwhelming nature of success or substance use.

The recurring line 'I got so high' serves as a double entendre, referring both to the literal act of getting high and the figurative high of achieving success. However, this high is not fulfilling; it brings more confusion and a sense of loss. The lines 'Success showed something at the same time nothing, I / Thought I got it but it seems I've lost it, I' highlight the paradox of success—while it may bring external validation, it often leaves an internal void.

The song also touches on the idea of misplaced efforts and the consequences of seeking fulfillment in the wrong places. The lines 'If I wanted to fly, I should have gone up in a plane / If I wanted to fly, I should have climbed up to the highest mountain top' suggest that the protagonist realizes too late that their methods of seeking happiness were flawed. The final lines, 'I was something but now I'm nothing, I,' encapsulate the ultimate disillusionment and the feeling of having lost one's identity in the pursuit of an elusive high.