Vices Before Virtues (The Addiction Song)

The Story Behind the Song

A first-person spiral through addiction -- drinking, gambling, pills, the whole cycle of chasing the next fix while telling yourself you're still in control. What makes it land is the self-awareness laced through it; the narrator knows exactly what's happening and keeps going anyway, right up to the moment they can't recognize themselves in the mirror.

Performances

Sadie McCoy's "Hers" edition performs the same twelve songs with her own vocal performance; per-track durations for her edition aren't published yet.

Lyrics

I poured another glass when I swore I was through, Chasin’ pills down my throat like they’d tell me the truth. Dice on the table, cards in my hand, Lost my soul in the shuffle, barely know who I am. Stayin' up late, waitin' on the next deal, Trading it all for another spin of the wheel. But the house always wins, and it fills me with spite, Vices before virtues... it’s never just black and white. I'd steal from my momma, to stay in the game, At the end of the day, what's a little more shame? Got a handful of girlfriends, none of 'em I trust, But they're pretty good about feedin' my lust. Stayin' up late, waitin' on the next deal, Trading it all for another spin of the wheel. But the house always wins, and it fills me with spite, Vices before virtues... it’s never just black and white. One night I glanced in the mirror, couldn’t face my own eyes, Saw a ghost looking back, buried under the lies. The streets take it all, includin' your mind, Until you have nothin' left and get left behind. Stayin' up late, waitin' on the next deal, Wonderin' if I'll see mornin' or the next meal. Hell keeps on smilin’, and I'm goin' down fast, Vices before virtues… but I guess I had a blast.