Heroin

The Velvet Underground's 'Heroin' is a stark and visceral depiction of drug addiction, specifically the use of heroin. The song's lyrics, penned by Lou Reed, take the listener on a harrowing journey through the mind and experiences of an addict. The opening lines set the tone for a narrative of escape and the desperate search for a sense of control or power, as the protagonist equates the act of using heroin to feeling like a man and even like 'Jesus' son,' suggesting a profound and delusional sense of elevation or enlightenment.

As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the addict's psyche, revealing a conscious decision to 'nullify' life, which reflects the self-destructive nature of addiction. The imagery of blood flowing and the approach of death underscores the fatalistic relationship the narrator has with heroin. The indifference to the concerns of the world, including politics and social strife, highlights the all-consuming nature of the addiction that isolates the user from reality and societal engagement.

The song also touches on themes of freedom and the desire to escape the confines of modern society. The narrator's yearning to have lived a thousand years ago and to sail the seas represents a longing for a simpler, more adventurous life, free from the 'evils' of the city and personal demons. This escapist fantasy contrasts sharply with the grim reality of addiction, as the song concludes with a repeated admission of ignorance and apathy, driven by the numbing effects of heroin. The song's structure, with its repetitive drone and escalating intensity, mirrors the cyclical and inescapable nature of addiction.