Heroin - Live

by The Velvet Underground

From the album: The Complete Matrix Tapes

Track 40 of 42 on The Complete Matrix Tapes (2015).

Duration: 8:16

The Complete Matrix Tapes cover art

Lyrics for Heroin - Live

I don't know just where I'm going, But I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I can, 'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man When I put a spike into my vein, And I'll tell 'ya, things aren't quite the same, When I'm rushin' on my run, And I feel just like Jesus' son, And I guess that I just don't know, And I guess that I just don't know. I have made the big decision: I'm gonna try to nullify my life. 'Cause when the blood begins to flow, When it shoots up the dropper's neck, When I'm closing in on death, And you can't help me now, you guys, And all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk, You can all go take a walk. And I guess that I just don't know, And I guess that I just don't know. I wish that I was born a thousand years ago I wish that I'd sail the darkened seas, On a great big clipper ship, Going from this land here to that, In a sailor's suit and cap, Away from the big city Where a man can not be free Of all of the evils of this town, And of himself, and those around. Oh, and I guess that I just don't know. Oh, and I guess that I just don't know. Heroin, be the death of me. Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life, Because a mainer to my vein Leads to a center in my head, And then I'm better off than dead Because when the smack begins to flow, I really don't care anymore About all the Jim-Jim's in this town, And all the politicians makin' busy sounds, And everybody puttin' everybody else down, And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds, 'Cause when the smack begins to flow, Then I really don't care anymore. Ah, when the heroin is in my blood, And that blood is in my head, Then thank God that I'm as good as dead, Then thank your God that I'm not aware, And thank God that I just don't care, And I guess I just don't know, And I guess I just don't know.

Listen On

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  2. What Goes On - Version 1 / Live
  3. Some Kinda Love - Version 1 / Live
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  5. The Black Angel's Death Song - Live
  6. Venus In Furs - Live
  7. There She Goes Again - Live
  8. We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together - Version 1 / Live
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  10. Sweet Jane - Version 1 / Live
  11. Pale Blue Eyes - Live
  12. After Hours - Live
  13. I'm Waiting For The Man - Version 2 / Live
  14. Venus In Furs - Live At The Matrix, San Francisco 12-01-69
  15. Some Kinda Love - Live
  16. Over You - Live
  17. I Can't Stand It - Version 1 / Live
  18. There She Goes Again - Version 2 / Live
  19. After Hours - Version 2 / Live
  20. We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together - Version 2 / Live
  21. Sweet Bonnie Brown / It's Just Too Much - Live
  22. Heroin - Version 2 / Live
  23. White Light/White Heat - Version 1 / Live
  24. I'm Set Free - Live
  25. We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together - Version 3 / Live
  26. Some Kinda Love - Version 3 / Live
  27. There She Goes Again - Version 3 / Live
  28. Heroin - Version 3 / Live
  29. Ocean - Live
  30. Sister Ray - Live
  31. I'm Waiting For The Man - Live
  32. What Goes On - Live
  33. Some Kinda Love - Version 4 / Live
  34. We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together - Live
  35. Beginning To See The Light - Live
  36. Lisa Says - Live
  37. New Age - Live
  38. Rock And Roll - Live
  39. I Can't Stand It - Live
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  41. White Light/White Heat - Live
  42. Sweet Jane - Live