Meaning of "Only The Names" by Machine Head

The lyrics of "Only The Names" seem to depict a cycle of addiction and manipulation. The narrator welcomes a friend into a world of drugs, promising escape from reality and invincibility. The seductive nature of drugs is described in detail, with the rush and sensations they provide. However, as the friend becomes addicted and starts to suffer consequences, the narrator reveals his true identity as addiction itself. The cycle of giving in to drugs, feeling the temporary highs, and then crashing back down is highlighted, showing the destructive nature of substance abuse and how it can consume a person entirely. The lyrics ultimately convey a sense of warning about the dangers of addiction and the manipulation that often accompanies it.