Released: June 29, 1993

Songwriter: Lou Reed

Producer: Robin Hancock

[Verse 1]
Well, I wish I was born
A thousand years ago
And I wish that I sailed
The darkened sea

On a great big clipper ship
Goin' from this land into that
In a sailors suit and cap
Away from the big city
Away from the big city

[Verse 2]
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils in this town
And of himself and those around
And I'm closin' in on death
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know

[Chorus]
Ah - Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine
Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine

[Verse 3]
I don't know just where I'm goin', ah
But I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I can, yeah
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
And I tell you things aren't quite the same
It's a mainline to my pain

[Chorus]
Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
Jesus died for somebody's sins
(I can feel it)
But not mine (heroin)
I said, Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)

Ow, ow, ow, ow, yeah
Ow, ow, ow, ow
(I can feel it)
(I can feel it)

[Verse 4]
I have made a very big decision
I gonna try to nullify my life, you know
I get so low and then the smack flows
I don't care I'm gonna make it my wife

'Cause when the blood begins to flow
And shoots up the dropper's neck
And I'm closin' in on death
You can all go take a walk
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know

[Chorus]
Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
Jesus died for somebody's sins (I can feel it)
But not mine (heroin)
I said, Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
I said, Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin) not mine

Heroin, smack attack
(I can feel it)
(I can feel it)

Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
I said, Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
Smack attack

[Outro]
Don't touch that needle
V.R. H E R O I N
V.R. H E R O I N
V.R. HELL H E R O I N (forever)
And I'm closin' in on death
H E R O I N

Billy Idol

Billy Idol is an English rock musician, songwriter and actor. Born in Stanmore, Middlesex, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X. Unlike other British punk rock artists of his era, Idol was inspired by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Idol then embarked on a successful solo career, and was a member of the MTV-driven “Second British Invasion” of the United States. A series of music videos for songs such as “Dancing With Myself”, “White Wedding”, “Rebel Yell” and “Eyes Without a Face” made him one of the first MTV stars. Idol continues to tour with guitarist Steve Stevens.

Idol’s 1987 release, “Mony Mony” reached #1 on the US top 40 charts; his songs to chart in the top 10 include: White Wedding, Eyes Without a Face, To Be a Lover and Cradle of Love.