Meaning of "Junkie Doll" by Mark Knopfler

"Junkie Doll" by Mark Knopfler delves into the emotional and physical toll of addiction. The speaker recalls the intensity of their past drug use, describing it as being "stuck" on a "junkie doll" that brought both highs and lows. The references to specific locations like Turnpike Lane and Turnham Green add a sense of nostalgia and place the listener in the midst of the speaker's memories. The repetitive refrain of "a little bit of this'd get you up, a little bit of that'd get you down" highlights the cycle of addiction and how it can consume one’s life. The imagery of scars remaining serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of addiction, even after one becomes clean. Overall, the song seems to capture the conflicting emotions of longing for past highs while recognizing the damage that addiction causes.