11 Songs Where the Addiction is Real | Playlist 🎧

11 Songs Where the Addiction is Real” features songs courtesy of Amy Winehouse, Big K.R.I.T, Billie Eilish, J. Cole, and Zedd.  

Addiction is a word that more often than not, has a negative connotation.  Typically, when addiction comes to mind, we associate it with substance abuse or being unhealthily hooked to something such as pornography or sex. Many songs that have been written about addiction often have a negative tilt as well, at least to some degree.  On 11 SONGS WHERE THE ADDICTION IS REAL, we explore songs, with some form of the word in its title (addict, addicted, addiction), that reference being hooked to something.  In some cases it’s drugs, in others its love, and in one particular case, it involves a serial killer’s twisted desire for vaginal skin… yeah… 11 SONGS WHERE THE ADDICTION IS REAL features songs courtesy of Amy Winehouse (“Addicted”), Big K.R.I.T. (“Addiction”), Billie Eilish (“My Strange Addiction”), J. Cole (“Once an Addict – Interlude”), and Zedd (“Addicted to a Memory”) among others.

1. Billie Eilish, “My Strange Addiction”

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? • Darkroom / Interscope • 2019

“You are my strange addiction… My doctors can’t explain / My symptoms or my pain / But you are my strange addiction.” Charming. Following the ukulele-fueled “8,” Teen alt-pop artist Billie Eilish’s scintillating debut LP, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? rolls on with an addictive gem, “My Strange Addiction.” Like much of the album that precedes it, there’s marvelous minimalist production (her big bro, FINNEAS), as well as her own enigmatic, unique musical approach.

Speaking of enigma, “My Strange Addiction” possesses elements of the odd and bizarre. The song is further amplified by its lyrics, such as “Deadly fever, please don’t ever break / Be u reliever ‘cause I don’t self-medicate,” which hails from the second verse.  There’s also the catchy pre-chorus before the chorus excerpted at the top of this blurb that says, “Bad, bad news / One of us is gonna lose / I’m the powder, you’re the fuse / Just add some friction.”  The overall draw of the record – the allure, if you will – is simply irresistible. Adding to the allure is ‘strangeness’ of the record, which includes an intro, interlude, and outro. Addicting? You bet it is!

2. Lil Pump, “Drug Addicts”

Harverd Dropout • Warner Bros. • 2019

“I been smokin’ since I was eleven / I been poppin’ pills since I was seven.” Charming. What does one make of the Lil Pump’s ‘junkie’ record “Drug Addicts” from his 2019 LP, Harverd Dropout? In regard to flow, he’s respectable. In regard to what he’s actually rapping about, it’s quite shameful. Obviously, being addicted to drugs is bad, and definitely shouldn’t be glorified – it can potentially ruin anyone’s life.  Unfortunately, no one sent that memo to the totally inept teen rapper, who seems to be glorifying his personal drug use from a young age.

On the hook, as the title suggests, he raps about a “Whole gang full of drug addicts” which includes “Starting the day off with a pint (yeah, brr-brr).” He later brags on the verse, “In the courthouse off of ecstasy,” and adds, “Everybody ‘round me like them Oxy’s.”  Besides being filled with substances, he also throws in sex, twice, referencing himself as the beneficiary you might say. Even with solid production work, a respectable flow, and a Charlie Sheen music video, “Drug Addicts” still easily earned its spot among the worst songs of 2018.

3. Big K.R.I.T., “Addiction” (Ft. Lil Wayne & Saweetie)

K.R.I.T. IZ HERE • Multi Alumni, LLC / BMG Rights Management • 2019

“Told him, dive in, this shit feel like water (Dive in) / Dive in, this shit feel like water /… Addiction / Addiction / Addiction.” Clearly, on the chorus of “Addiction,” Saweetie isn’t rapping about drug addiction but rather the addictiveness of sex, specifically her private parts.  “Addiction” is one of the main attractions of K.R.I.T. IZ HERE, the 2019 by Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T. In addition to Saweetie joining him on “Addiction,” Lil Wayne appears as well.  Interestingly, “Addiction” doesn’t find Big K.R.I.T. self-producing – Rico Love and Don Corleone handle production duties.

Following Saweetie setting the sexual tone, Big K.R.I.T. gets down to business on the first verse. A prime example: “She was bustin’ out the pipes from all the pressure in it / It’ll never be the same if I ever hit it.” Wow.  He also ends with a bang when he spits, “Damn, so much of the wet she had to change clothes,” and. “Damn, so much water I could sink though.” Naturally, Lil Wayne, being the sexually charged being that he is, is the perfect collaborator, dropping naughty lyrics like “She got that splish-splash, waterslide, Six Flags,” which certainly isn’t about a theme park.

4. J. Cole, “Once an Addict – Interlude”

KOD • Dreamville / Roc Nation • 2018

“Lost in a cloud of marijuana / Young Carolina nigga, fish out of water / Step-daddy just had a daughter with another woman / Mama ain’t recover yet…”  In April 2018, J. Cole returned with his highly anticipated, fifth studio album, KOD. On KOD, the North Carolinian rapper speaks about relevant societal issues including drugs, money, and sex, in addition to ‘schooling’ SoundCloud rappers.  The title means three different things: Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed, and Kill Our Demons. The addictive record of the bunch comes by way of “Once an Addict – Interlude,” which appears towards the end of KOD as the ninth track.

Despite the fact “Once an Addict – Interlude” is labeled as an interlude, it’s as long (or longer) than the other full-length numbers.  Here, on the record, J. Cole speaks about his mother’s addiction.  The aforementioned verse continues:

“Callin’ me at 12 at night
She drunk as fuck and I’m upset
‘Cause why she always using me for crutch?
… She kill a whole bottle of some cheap Chardonnay
I gotta leave this house ‘cause part of me dies when I see her like this
Too young to deal with pain
I’d rather run the streets than see her kill herself…”

Clearly, his mother’s issues highly affected him, so much so that he wanted to run away from his problems.  Even so, he’s regretful about running: “Little did I know how deep her sadness would go / Lookin’ back, I wish I woulda did more instead of runnin’.”

5. Charlie Wilson, “New Addiction”

In It to Win It • RCA • 2017

Charlie Wilson is the model of consistency in R&B music.  The former lead vocalist for the Gap Band arguably possesses one of the best voices ever.  At 64, he proved he was still a musical force on his 2017 album, In It to Win It.  That said, he also had a problem – a “New Addiction.” Fortunately, the ‘new addiction’ for Charlie, Last Name Wilson was a positive one; he’s not addicted to drugs y’all!

“Girl, I need more than I ever had before
But I know-ow-ow
You can be my new addiction
Girl, I need more, so let’s take it out the door
But I know-ow-ow
You can be my new addiction.”

Clearly, all Charlie Wilson needs is this awesome lady in his life.  At the end of the first verse, he sings, “Right now, all that I need, is you right by my side.” Of course, fueling that positivity is bright, soulful production, that’s also hip enough to hang in the late 10s.   The positivity continues to shine on the second verse, where her beauty transcends beyond looks – “You got a beautiful heart and a beautiful soul.” Of course, Charlie is drinking too (“So the bottom of the bottle is reached and done”), but according to him, “It’s your love gettin’ me too.” Fair enough.

6. Gucci Mane, “Addicted”

WOPTOBER • Atlantic • 2016

“When I was on drugs so bad, you know, I talked different / I was drinking lean like crazy every day, I was out my mind.” Since being released from prison in 2016, Gucci Mane has been one of the most prolific rappers in the game.  In 2016, he quickly released his comeback album, Everybody Looking, while later dropping WOPTOBER, a stream-only project. The main attraction of WOPTOBER was the drippy “Bling Blaww Burr,” but unfortunately, that has nothing whatsoever to do with addiction.  Luckily, the mush-mouthed southern rapper gives us “Addicted,” a perfect fit for this list.

“Hi, my name is Gucci Mane, I’m addicted to everything / Bad bitches, fast cars, weed, and promethazine…” Yep, that pretty much says it all.  Over banging, minor-key production by Will A Fool, Gucci shares his various addictions, demons, and vices, as well as the effects his addictions have had on others, and the addictions of others have had on him.

“My daddy was an alcoholic, momma she’s a junkie daughter
Cousin’ smokin’ crack, I guess she forgot all my aunt done taught her
Plus, I got two brothers that I don’t know from a addicted family
And all the pain I caused my mother, bet she wished she had a daughter.”

On the second verse, Gucci asserts, “Demons in my ear, got me seein’ things wasn’t even there.” Prior to that, he references wrecking his Yellow Lamborghini “high on drugs,” and Smashing his black Ferrari due to his addictions.  By the end of the verse, he declares:

“Lookin’ in the mirror at myself, had to catch my breath
And tell myself, ‘Gucci, you an addict!’ That’s the first step.”

7. Tyrese, “Addict”

Black Rose • Voltron • 2015

The crème de la crème of Black Rose, the 2015 album by six-time, Grammy-nominated R&B artist and actor Tyrese, is undoubtedly “Shame”. “Shame” earned ‘Rese two Grammy nominations at the 58^th Annual Grammy Awards (Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best R&B Song).  As much as “Shame” is being mentioned, you cant tell just how much I wish I could feature it on this list.  I can’t because it doesn’t fit the parameters.  However, “Addict,” which commences Black Rose, is a perfect fit, not to mention an enjoyable, totally respectable song.

Really, the intro says it all when it comes to “Addict”: “I can’t get you off my mind / Thinking of you all the time.” Basically, Tyrese can’t stop thinking about this lady on this sleekly produced joint. On the first verse, he asserts, “Just like a drug but better, baby, I’m stuck on that / Can’t get enough of our magic.” Fair enough.  On the second verse, he states, “So when I need a fix, you be my connect / Go too long without it, girl, it’s like I’m a mess.”  Yeah, that’s that withdrawal.  On the pre-chorus, he says, “Just one more hit baby / Gives me that feeling one more time.” Clever.  Of course, the first step is admitting you have a problem, which Tyrese has NO PROBLEM whatsoever singing on the centerpiece, the chorus:

“I’m a addict, I’m a addict
Every piece of your body I gotta have it
I’m strung out, so far gone
Running in my veins, I can’t leave you alone
I’m a addict, I’m a addict
Every piece of your body I gotta have it
I’m strung out, so far gone
I know I gotta have you no matter what it costs.”

Yeah, the man’s addicted AF.

8. Zedd, “Addicted to a Memory” (Ft. Bahari)

True Colors • Interscope • 2015

True Colors, the 2015 sophomore album by Grammy-winning, Russian-German DJ/producer Zedd is an enjoyable, pleasant listening experience.  Perhaps the album isn’t always incredibly distinct, with many songs running into one another, but it’s sound by all means. True Colors has its share of fine moments, including the opener which fits the bill of this particularly addict-fueled list, “Addicted to a Memory.” On the five-minute-plus “Addicted to a Memory,” Zedd enlists the services of pop/electronic music duo Bahari for the assist.   

“We are, we are a violent chemistry / Love has taken us as far as we can reach / But I can’t leave.” Well, that’s certainly, um, moody and thought provoking.  Over the course of two verses, Bahari beautifully sings about the inability to move past, well, the past – “Holding on to what we used to be / Addicted to a memory.” More of the same happens, in poetic lyrical fashion on the second verse, as the reality sets in on the relationship.  “We are, we are in love enemies / We are sentimental slaves on broken knees,” Bahari sings, closing out the verse with the titular lyric. As for Zedd, well, he definitely puts in work. “Addicted to a Memory” is solidly assembled, beginning with more of a pop-oriented sensibility, before evolving into Z’s electronic fantasies.  His classical music background definitely shows on this addicting opener.  According to Zedd, via Genius, this is the song that got him signed to Interscope, years before it appeared on True Colors.

9. Ne-Yo, “Addicted”

Because of You • Island Def Jam • 2007

“Young, energetic / Famous, but don’t really sweat it / Rich enough, fairly hot – so basically, sex is not / Difficult to get / That ain’t my fault (Naw, naw).” Ne-Yo has a legitimate point on “Addicted,” the fifth track off of his 2007 sophomore album, Because of You. “Addicted” was a personal favorite from this album, but there were definitely more high-profile numbers – “Because of You”, “Crazy”, and “Do You” among them.  Still, “Addicted” is a surefire bop, more than a decade after it first bowed.

Building off of the aforementioned lyrical excerpt from the first verse, the chorus confirms that while Ne-Yo has sex and certainly enjoys sex, he is NOT addicted to it:

“No
I
Am
Not
I’m not addicted to sex
But girl I guarantee that if you lay with me
You just might be.”

Honestly, that’s the premise.  Has sex, likes sex, good at sex, but not addicted to sex.  Furthermore, he “Won’t apologize for being just a little freaky” (verse two), and he’s “Never been shy about myself and sexuality” (bridge).  Besides the fun lyrics, another thing that makes “Addicted” quite sublime is the bright, brassy production work, courtesy of Shea Taylor.

10. Amy Winehouse, “Addicted”

Back in Black • Universal Island • 2006

“I’d rather have myself and smoke my homegrown / It’s got me addicted, does more than any dick did.” Hmm, perhaps that’s why originally “Addicted” didn’t appear on the U.S. version of Back in Black, the Grammy-winning, 2006 retro-soul album by the late, great Amy Winehouse.  The final line of the third verse of this groovy, hella soulful closing cut finds Winehouse voice her preference for potent weed over sex. She’s addicted to marijuana throughout this colorful joint… no pun intended.

The colorfulness begins at the beginning, as Amy Winehouse asserts, “Tell your boyfriend next time he around / To buy his own weed and don’t wear my shit out.” Hmm, again, one sees why this particular track might’ve been replaced with “You Know I’m No Good (Remix)” back in 2006. On the chorus, she goes on to sing, “When you smoke all my weed man / You got to call the green man / So I can get mine and you get yours.” So, basically, her friend’s boyfriend needs to get his money right and pay for his weed.  Also, preceding (and complementing obviously) the lyric excerpted at the top of the blurb, Winehouse sings on the third verse, “I’m my own man so when will you learn / That you got a man, but I got to burn.”

11. Cannibal Corpse, “Addicted to Vaginal Skin”

Tomb of the Mutilated • Metal Blade • 1992

“Slowly turning me, into a flesh-eating zombie / Know this spell can only be broken / By the vaginal skins of young women / I proceed to find the meat…” From an R&B song released in 2019 (“My Skin My Logo”), we rewind back 27 years to 1992 – what a swing.  Furthermore, the aforementioned lyrics incite a reaction nothing short of WTF.  On “Addicted to Vaginal Skin,” American death metal band Cannibal Corpse provide the perfect tone poem to infamous necrophiliac and cannibal, Ed Gein.

“Addicted to Vaginal Skin” appears on the album Tomb of the Mutilated, which also features other colorful, explicitly-titled songs such as “I Cum Blood”, “Necropedophile”, “Entrails Ripped from a Virgin’s C**t”, and “Post Mortal Ejaculation”.  Definitely NSFW… UNDERSTATEMENT. “Addicted to Vaginal Skin” is quite disgusting and explicit. See the following lyrics if you need further confirmation:

“The curse is broken
I have a dependence on vaginal skin
It’s become my sexual addiction
I must slit, the twitching clit
Rotted cavity, hold the juice…” 

Of course, if you’ve read up on Ed Gein, you understand he was nothing short of, um, disturbed.  “Addicted to Vaginal Skin” has appeared on multiple playlists including 11 Intriguing Songs That Reference Skin, 33 Great, If Disturbing Songs About Serial Killers and of course, A Twisted Soundtrack for Ed Gein: Butcher of Plainfield.  By the way, this isn’t the only song about Mr. Gein that fits the parameters of this skin-driven affair.

11 Songs Where the Addiction is Real [📷: Atlantic, BMG Rights Management, Darkroom, Dreamville, Interscope, Island Def Jam, Metal Blade, Multi Alumni LLC, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Roc Nation, Universal Island, Voltron, Warner Bros.]