Weak and Powerless

Album: Thirteenth Step (2003)
Charted: 61
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about drug addiction, specifically heroin. Some references to the drug can be found in the lines, "Jam another dragon down the hole" and "Someone feed the monkey while I dig in search of China white as Dracula as I approach the bottom." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Gavin - Beacon, NY
  • The video shows a naked woman with a wound in her stomach chucking animals down a hole which is infested by some kind of carnivorous insects. The size of the animal that she throws into the hole gets bigger every consecutive time; first it's a lizard, second, it's a small snake, third, its a bigger animal which looks like an iguana, and finally, a python. After each time the insects in the hole devour the animal, the hole in the woman's stomach gets bigger. The insects in the hole might signify the drug, or the craving for the drug as a whole. The size of the animal might symbolize the size of the craving, the need of the drug - you start with little amounts and you move on up. The increasing size of the hole in her stomach might show how the drug slowly kills us. As in the video, the woman eventually succumbs to her own wound and falls into the hole, which shows that the craving for the drug is what eventually might kill you in the end. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Yasas - Colombo

Comments: 8

  • Squid from Los Angeles, CaThe Whole Band has stated that this album (13th Step)is a theme album and Is not only in refference to drug addiction it self, but what the 13th step to the 12 step programs is, which is deailing with the world (More so you and ones who love you) perceptions of you and your addiction. For The song Weak And Powerless, It is the perception of ones addiction as told to them by the 12 step program. As if Saying "I can not overcome this addiction so forever am i weak and powerless". it is now the perception of most doctor that this way of thinking will only Cause a drug addict to use drugs repetedly again. that they must over come the thought of addiction having a gip on thier lives.
  • Mel!ssa from Pittsburgh, Pai love the progression of this song.
  • Nick from Knoxville, Tni agree with marcelo
  • Marcelo from San Jose, OtherActually, for me, this is the best rock song of all time!!
  • Raf from Pasadena, TxGood song and good interpretation Yasas (b-.-)b
  • Evita from Dundalk, Irelandone of my favourite songs too, they are d best
  • Trent from Binghamton, Nyit b awsome
  • Cel from Philadelphia, PaOne of my favorite APC songs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.