Dirty Needles

Return to lyrics


Dirty Needles

This one goes out to every Romeo who’s wasting his time waiting for the junkie angels in the Juliet line.

Where Pandora’s pin-prick pupils paint the perfect Monet

Hanging locked away and lonesome next to Dorian Grey.

And as the poison drains my mind

It leaves me wondering why I can’t find

A remedy that suits me well as you.

It’s true. My baby’s born to lose

Because she’s bringing out the worst in me

But does the best she can.

She’s casting off the lifeboats while I’m sinking as she swims

Yes, I found myself a lover who’d be better as a friend

‘Cause she plays with dirty needles and she’s in my arms again.

She’s from the wrong side of the track marks

And I’m setting my sights on a candy-coated ticket 

To the train wreck tonight. 

So, I jumped the wall at rehab

‘Bound three sheets to the wind

While her fire feeds the fever blazin’ under my skin.

But when the twinkle fades my eyes

It shapes a face I hardly recognize.

She hides behind the boiling silver spoons,

Confused, like one who’s been abused.   

Because she’s dancing ‘round the disco lights   

Takes pride in all my shame.

The conscience points the fingers

When there’s no one left to blame

Then I’ll stop and ask the silence

If the pleasure’s worth the pain?   

‘Cause she plays with dirty needles

And she does it all in vain.

Black clouds, blue skies, little white-line lies.

Laugh out loud while the river rolls ‘round.

Cure for boredom, habit-forming,

Up all night while the river rolls ‘round.

And when the tourniquet unwinds

And all the toxic phantoms run and hide

From twelve-step fathers juggling the truth

No use, I had to cut her loose.

She said “A woman is the open wound 

That vexes every man”.

Then softly kissed her scorpion

And placed it in my hand

Then she locked me in the Genie lamp

My wish is her demand

‘Cause she plays with dirty needles

And the cycle never ends.

Yes, she plays with dirty needles

And she’s in my arms again.


Share by: