White Lines

Grandmaster Flash's song "White Lines" is a powerful commentary on the dangers and allure of cocaine use. The repetitive chant of "White, White" and the bass-heavy beat immediately set a hypnotic tone, drawing listeners into the world of drug addiction. The lyrics describe the initial euphoria and the subsequent destructive consequences of cocaine use, painting a vivid picture of the highs and lows associated with the drug. The phrase "Vision dreams of passion" suggests the initial allure and the false sense of creativity and energy that cocaine can provide, while "Blowin' through my mind" indicates the pervasive and consuming nature of the addiction.

The song uses a variety of metaphors to illustrate the impact of cocaine. The "white line highway" represents the path of addiction, with tolls and costs that are both financial and personal. The line "Pound for pound costs more than gold" highlights the high price of the drug, not just in monetary terms but in the toll it takes on one's life. The repeated exhortation to "Get higher, baby!" underscores the addictive nature of cocaine, as users chase the fleeting high, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of dependency.

Grandmaster Flash also addresses the broader social implications of drug use. The lyrics mention a street kid getting arrested and a businessman caught with kilos of cocaine, pointing to the widespread and indiscriminate nature of the drug problem. The line "Athletes rejected, governors corrected" suggests that no one is immune to the lure of cocaine, regardless of their social status. The song ends with a stark warning: "Now I'm broke and it's no joke, it's hard as hell to fight it, don't buy it!" This serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of drug addiction, urging listeners to steer clear of the dangerous path of cocaine use.