High Cost of Living, by Jamey Johnson: This song explores the themes of addiction and the consequences of excessive drinking.
Music Video
Lyrics: High Cost of Living, by Jamey Johnson (2008)
Verse 1 I was just a normal guy, life was just a nine to five With bills and pressure, piled up to the sky She never asked, she knew I’d been, hangin’ with my wilder friends Lookin’ for some other way to fly
Verse 2 And three days straight was no big feat, could get by with no food or sleep And crazy was becomin’ my new norm I’d pass out on the bedroom floor And sleep right through the calm before the storm
Chorus My life was just an old routine, every day the same damn thing I couldn’t even tell I was alive I tell you, the high cost of livin’ Ain’t nothin’ like the cost of livin’ high
Verse 3 That Southern Baptist parkin’ lot, was where I’d go to smoke my pot An’ sit there in my pickup truck and pray Starin’ at that giant cross, just reminded me that I was lost And it just never seemed to point the way
Verse 4 As soon as Jesus turned his back, I’d find my way across the tracks Lookin’ just to score, another deal With my back against that damn eightball I didn’t have to think or talk, or feel
Chorus My life was just an old routine, every day the same damn thing I couldn’t even tell I was alive I tell you, the high cost of livin’ Ain’t nothin’ like the cost of livin’ high
Verse 5 My whole life went through my head, layin’ in that motel bed Watchin’ as the cops kicked in the door I had a job and a piece of land, my sweet wife was my best friend But I traded that for cocaine and a whore
Verse 6 With my newfound sobriety, I’ve got the time to sit and think Of all the things I had, and threw away This prison is much colder than That one that I was locked up in just yesterday
Chorus My life is just an old routine, every day the same damn thing Hell I can’t even tell if I’m alive I tell you, the high cost of livin’ Ain’t nothin’ like the cost of livin’ high
Outro I tell you, the high cost of livin’ It ain’t nothin’ like the cost of livin’ high (Just leave that stuff alone)
Recovery, by James Arthur: This song explores the themes of recovery and the benefits of sobriety.
Music Video
Lyrics: Recovery, by James Arthur (2013)
Verse 1 I don’t want to play this game no more I don’t wanna play it I don’t want to stay ’round here no more I don’t wanna stay here Like rain on a Monday morning Like pain that just keeps on going on Look at all the hate they keep on showing I don’t want to see that Look at all the stones they keep on throwing I don’t want to feel that Like Sun that will keep on burning I used to be so discerning, oh
Chorus In my recovery I’m a soldier at war I have broken down walls I defined I designed My recovery In the sound of the sea In the oceans of me I defined I designed My recovery Keep soaring Keep song-writing Keep soaring Keep song-writing My recovery
Verse 2 And I can hear the choirs keep on singing Tell me what they’re saying And I can hear the phone It keeps on ringing I don’t want to answer I know that I used to listen And I know I’ve become dismissive, oh
Chorus In my recovery I’m a soldier at war I have broken down walls I defined I designed My recovery In the sound of the sea In the oceans of me I defined I designed My recovery Keep soaring Keep song-writing Keep soaring Keep song-writing My recovery
Bridge In my recovery I’m a soldier at war I have broken down walls I defined I designed My recovery In the sound of the sea In the oceans of me I defined I designed My recovery
Outro Keep soaring Keep song-writing Keep soaring Keep song-writing My recovery Keep soaring Keep song-writing Keep soaring Keep song-writing My recovery Keep soaring Keep song-writing
Verse One Breathe it in and breathe it out And pass it on, it’s almost out We’re so creative, so much more We’re high above but on the floor It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive If you don’t have it you’re on the other side
Verse Two The deeper you stick it in your vein The deeper the thoughts, there’s no more pain I’m in heaven, I’m a god I’m everywhere, I feel so hot It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive If you don’t have it you’re on the other side I’m not an addict (maybe that’s a lie) (oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh)
Verse Three It’s over now, I’m cold, alone I’m just a person on my own Nothing means a thing to me Oh nothing means a thing to me It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive If you don’t have it you’re on the other side I’m not an addict, maybe that’s a lie
Verse Four Free me, leave me Watch me as I’m going down, and Free me, see me Look at me, I’m falling and I’m falling It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive, I feel It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive If you don’t have it you’re on the other side I’m not an addict, maybe that’s a lie
Outro I’m not an addict I’m not an addict I’m not an addict I’m not an addict
Breaking the Habit, by Linkin Park: This song explores the themes of addiction and the struggle to break free from destructive habits.
Music Video
Lyrics: Breaking the Habit, by Linkin Park (2003)
Verse 1 Memories consume like opening the wound I’m picking me apart again You all assume I’m safe here in my room Unless I try to start again
Pre-Chorus I don’t want to be the one the battles always choose ‘Cause inside, I realize that I’m the one confused
Chorus I don’t know what’s worth fighting for or why I have to scream I don’t know why I instigate and say what I don’t mean I don’t know how I got this way, I know it’s not alright So I’m breaking the habit I’m breaking the habit tonight
Verse 2 Clutching my cure, I tightly lock the door I try to catch my breath again I hurt much more than anytime before I had no options left again
Pre-Chorus I don’t want to be the one the battles always choose ‘Cause inside, I realize that I’m the one confused
Chorus I don’t know what’s worth fighting for or why I have to scream I don’t know why I instigate and say what I don’t mean I don’t know how I got this way, I’ll never be alright So I’m breaking the habit I’m breaking the habit tonight
Bridge I’ll paint it on the walls ‘Cause I’m the one at fault I’ll never fight again And this is how it ends
Chorus I don’t know what’s worth fighting for or why I have to scream But now I have some clarity to show you what I mean I don’t know how I got this way, I’ll never be alright So I’m breaking the habit I’m breaking the habit I’m breaking the habit tonight
Sober, by Kelly Clarkson: This song explores the themes of sobriety and the journey towards recovery.
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Lyrics: Sober, by Kelly Clarkson (2007)
Verse 1 And I don’t know This could break my heart or save me Nothing’s real Until you let go completely
Pre-Chorus 1 So here I go with all my thoughts I’ve been saving So here I go with all my fears Weighing on me
Chorus 1 Three months And I’m still sober Picked all my weeds But kept the flowers But I know It’s never really over
Verse 2 And I don’t know I could crash and burn, but maybe At the end of this road I might catch a glimpse of me
Pre-Chorus 2 So I won’t worry about my timing I wanna get it right No comparing, second guessing No, not this time
Chorus 2 Three months And I’m still breathing Been a long road since those Hands I left my tears in But I know It’s never really over, no
Post-Chorus Oh, ah Oh, ooh-oh
Bridge 1 Three months And I’m still standing here Three months And I’m getting better, yeah Three months And I still am Three months And it’s still harder now
Bridge 2 Three months I’ve been living here without you now Three months Yeah, three months Three months And I’m still breathin’ Three months And I still remember it Three months And I wake up
Outro Three months And I’m still sober Picked all my weeds But kept the flowers
It’s Been a While, by Staind: This song explores the themes of addiction and the struggles of recovery.
Music Video
Lyrics: It’s Been a While, by Staind (2001)
Verse 1 And it’s been awhile Since I could hold my head up high And it’s been awhile Since I first saw you And it’s been awhile Since I could stand on my own two feet again And it’s been awhile Since I could call you
Chorus And everything I can’t remember As fucked up as it all may seem The consequences that are rendered I’ve stretched myself beyond my means
Verse 2 And it’s been awhile Since I could say that I wasn’t addicted And it’s been awhile Since I can say I love myself as well And it’s been awhile Since I’ve gone and fucked things up, just like I always do And it’s been awhile But all that shit seems to disappear when I’m with you
Chorus And everything I can’t remember As fucked up as it all may seem The consequences that I’ve rendered I’ve gone and fucked things up again, again
Bridge Why must I feel this way? Just make this go away Just one more peaceful day
Verse 3 And it’s been awhile Since I could look at myself straight And it’s been awhile since I said I’m sorry And it’s been awhile Since I’ve seen the way the candles light your face And it’s been awhile But I can still remember just the way you taste
Chorus And everything I can’t remember As fucked up as it all may seem to be, I know it’s me I cannot blame this on my father He did the best he could for me
Outro And it’s been awhile Since I could hold my head up high And it’s been awhile Since I said I’m sorry
