Expert: Kristen - 1/15/2006

Question
I was wondering your thoughts on 'Rhyme and Reason'.  Herorin use? Dave's drug use? singing about drug use as a metaphor for something else?  Lemme know!

Answer
Hi Allison!  There was a rumor that Dave did heroin waaaay back in the day, but I've never heard that confirmed and do not know for sure.  Personally, I think the "needle to the vein" is used figuratively.  It seems like Dave feels empty and lonely and nothing can stop that feeling for him.  It's like he is asking for help..."take this needle from my vein."  Dave has always said that he is interested in the story of Jesus.  He might be struggling with his faith in this song (the voices in his head) and he smokes and drinks to try and reason with those voices.  Maybe he's being lead to drugs by the voices, but he doesn't want to go in that direction, therefore asking for help.  Dave is the writer of this song, not necessarily the person in the song.  A songwriter has the freedom to take on another persona, i.e. a drug addict.  I'm not saying Dave wasn't a drug addict, but he has the right to pen a song as if he were.  These are some of my ideas about this song, but I don't know anything for sure unless I talk to Dave myself (I wish!).  Dave has always said that his songs are up for interpretation and everyone can take something different away from his songs.  I can offer you my own ideas, but you can interpret this song anyway you choose.  It's a great song!  Thanks for asking my opinion!  I hope I've helped you in some way!