So High

Doja Cat's "So High" is a song that intricately explores the intoxicating and all-consuming nature of love and desire by comparing it to the effects of drug use. The lyrics walk a fine line between a literal depiction of getting high and a metaphorical representation of the euphoric feelings associated with a powerful attraction. At its core, the song serves as a love letter to the overwhelming sensation one experiences, not just from substances, but from a deep connection with another person. Doja Cat equates the dizzying and disorienting feeling of new love or lust with a chemical high, using this comparison to illustrate the potency of the emotion. The opening lines, which list various drugs, set a scene of sensory overload and a racing heart, which can be interpreted as a physical reaction to both narcotics and intense infatuation. The repeated chorus, "You get me so high, I know you ain't a drug, but you get me so high," is the central message, emphasizing that the person's effect on her is as powerful as any substance. The song can also be seen as touching on themes of escapism, where the relationship provides a refuge from reality, a way to numb the 'clamor of existence'.

The song opens with a direct and unfiltered list of substances, including cocaine and ecstasy, immediately establishing a theme of intoxication. This is coupled with the physical sensation of a rapidly beating heart. The narrator then shifts focus to a person, expressing that their presence brings a sense of relief from stress, taking her to a state of euphoria described as being 'so high' and taking deep breaths. The chorus reinforces this central idea, repeatedly stating that this person gets her 'so high,' clarifying that while they are not literally a drug, their effect is just as potent and intoxicating.

The verse delves deeper into this comparison, with the artist declaring she's 'so turnt up' and acknowledging that the person she is with must also be in a similar state of elevation. A significant line, 'Weed always on my mind / Now he always on my mind,' explicitly shows the transition of her obsession from a substance to a person. This is followed by a playful and seductive invitation, using the word 'purr' as a double entendre for her feline persona and her own sexual allure. The imagery then becomes more explicit with references to smoking a large number of blunts. The narrative continues with a description of the two of them being so intoxicated that their eyes appear 'Asian,' a controversial line, and mentions having 'dank shit' in her cup. She expresses a desire to get used to this person and their shared activities, which include sipping on 'juicy juice.' The verse concludes by acknowledging the powerful effect these 'drugs' or this intoxicating love has, bringing back the sensation of a racing heartbeat and stress relief, cyclically leading back to the feeling of being 'so high'.

The overarching narrative of the song weaves together the experiences of romantic or physical infatuation with the psychoactive effects of various drugs. The person becomes the ultimate intoxicant, providing a high that is both euphoric and calming. The lyrical journey moves from a general description of being high to a more focused obsession with a specific individual, blurring the lines between love, lust, and substance use. The recurring phrases and sensations create a cyclical structure, suggesting an ongoing and perhaps addictive state of being under this person's influence.

Doja Cat, born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, began her musical journey after dropping out of high school. She taught herself to sing, rap, and use GarageBand, often searching YouTube for beats to which she would add her vocals. An early version of "So High" was self-published on SoundCloud on November 8, 2012, when she was 17 years old. The track gained some initial attention, which she recalls emotionally after it received just 12 views and two likes. The musical foundation of "So High" is a sample of the song "Falling Leaves" by French producer Evil Needle. The song eventually caught the attention of manager Lydia Asrat, leading to a record deal with Kemosabe and RCA Records. A repackaged and studio-recorded version of "So High" was commercially released on March 13, 2014, as the lead single from her debut EP, Purrr!. Doja Cat has since expressed some disdain for the song, calling the lyrics and her vocal performance 'cringeworthy,' though she has praised the production as beautiful. The music video, released on March 25, 2014, was filmed in the salt flats of California and features imagery influenced by her experiences with Hinduism, which later drew some accusations of cultural appropriation.

The rhyme and rhythm in "So High" are integral to its hypnotic and laid-back feel. The song's rhythmic structure is relatively relaxed, complementing the hazy, drug-induced atmosphere it aims to create. Doja Cat's vocal delivery flows smoothly over the beat, alternating between sung melodies and rapped verses. The rhyme scheme is not strictly rigid, leaning more towards a free-verse style within the verses, which allows for a more conversational and naturalistic lyrical flow. However, there are instances of clear rhyming couplets, such as "When you put it on me you relieve my stress / You got me so high, takin' deep, deep breaths". The chorus relies heavily on repetition for its rhythmic and melodic hook. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the underlying musical rhythm, which is based on the sample of "Falling Leaves," is seamless, creating a cohesive and immersive sonic experience. The tempo is moderate, contributing to the song's overall chill and sensual vibe. The rhythmic cadence of her rap verses demonstrates a clear hip-hop influence, while the melodic sections are more aligned with contemporary R&B.

"So High" showcases a blend of musical and literary techniques that contribute to its distinctive style. Musically, the song is characterized by its "spacey, eastern-influenced R&B" sound, built upon a sample of Evil Needle's "Falling Leaves". This creates a hazy and atmospheric backdrop for Doja Cat's vocal delivery. Her performance style mixes bright, melodic vocals with unfiltered rap verses, a combination that was described by Vibe as the work of a "psychedelic prodigy". The song is written in the key of B♭ Minor, and its chord progression has been noted for its complexity compared to average pop songs. Lyrically, Doja Cat employs a direct and at times provocative narrative voice. The opening énumération of drugs is a stark and effective way to immediately establish the song's central theme. The use of double entendre, such as with the word "purr," adds a layer of cleverness and playfulness to the lyrics. The repetition of the hook "You get me so high" serves to emphasize the song's core message and makes it highly memorable. An acoustic version of the song was also released, featuring a more soulful, strings-laden arrangement that highlights the flexibility of the composition and Doja Cat's versatility as an artist.

"So High" served as Doja Cat's debut single and was instrumental in launching her career, eventually leading to her signing with a major label. While not a massive chart-topper upon its initial release, the song and its accompanying music video gained significant attention online, helping to build her initial fanbase. The song was featured in the first season of the Fox television series Empire, which broadened its exposure. "So High" has been remixed by artists such as StéLouse and San Holo. It also caught the attention of other musicians, including a then 12-year-old Billie Eilish. The music video has amassed over 89 million views on YouTube as of March 2024. In subsequent years, the video has been the subject of controversy, with some accusing Doja Cat of sexualizing and appropriating Hindu culture, a claim she addressed by explaining the aesthetic was influenced by her personal background with Hinduism. Despite Doja Cat's own later critiques of the song, it remains a significant starting point in her discography, showcasing the early development of her unique blend of R&B, hip-hop, and pop that would later make her a global superstar.

The central metaphor in "So High" is the comparison of love and attraction to drug intoxication. This is not a subtle comparison; it is explicitly stated throughout the song. The lyrics are filled with references to various substances like "Blow, weed, coke, pop X," which serve to create a direct parallel between the physical and psychological effects of drugs and the overwhelming feelings of a new romance or intense desire. The line "When you put it on me you relieve my stress" equates the comfort and escape found in a lover's presence to the relief one might seek from substances. The transition in the lyrics from "Weed always on my mind" to "Now he always on my mind" is a clear symbolic shift, where the object of obsession changes from a drug to a person, highlighting the addictive nature of this love. The term "purr" is a clever double entendre, alluding to her stage name 'Doja Cat' and also serving as a euphemism for her sexuality and allure. The recurring theme of being 'so high' functions as a symbol for a state of euphoria and escapism, whether achieved through love, drugs, or a combination of both.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "So High" is the line "You get me so high," which is repeated throughout the chorus and post-chorus. This repetition acts as the central thesis of the song, constantly reinforcing the idea that the person she is singing about has an intoxicating effect on her. Its recurrence makes it a powerful and memorable hook. Another recurring motif is the mention of various drugs and the physical sensations associated with them, such as a "heartbeat bangin' in my chest" and taking "deep, deep breaths". This imagery consistently appears to draw the parallel between love and substance use. The phrase "Weed always on my mind / Now he always on my mind" is a significant recurring idea that appears in the verse, marking a pivotal moment in the narrative where the obsession shifts from a substance to a person. The repetition of these phrases and motifs creates a cyclical feeling, suggesting that the state of being 'so high' on this person is a continuous and enveloping experience.