Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
Tony, your life's not over,
But you've given up all you lived for.
Put the bottle down and fix the thing you ran from.
Do you say what you really mean?
Are you really how you're perceived to be?
If the lights go out tomorrow,would you know?
I don't wanna call your family and tell them to build a coffin,
Because their oldest son just overdosed on pills.
You've got a red glare in your eyes,
And the sky outside your door's a blacker blue.
I hate to see what's become of you.
Tony, it's just a stick in the spokes.
It's not too late for you to find your way home,
Because your friends are still here,
And your family's where you left them.
So put on a clear head and try it out for a ride,
Because you're better than this and you can better your life.
You can't choose your father,
We're suffering together.
I don't wanna call your family and tell them to build a coffin,
Because their oldest son just overdosed on pills.
You've got a red glare in your eyes,
And the sky outside your door's a blacker blue.
I hate to see what's become of you.
You're getting closer to the end of your rope.
I never thought you'd let yourself get so cold.
But lately I've been thinking about the things I said to you,
And now I need to prove that
I didn't mean it when I said, that you were dead to me.
You mean the world to me.
I don't wanna call your family and tell them to build a coffin,
Because their oldest son just overdosed on pills.
You've got a red glare in your eyes,
And the sky outside your door's a blacker blue.
I hate to see what's become of you.
But you've given up all you lived for.
Put the bottle down and fix the thing you ran from.
Do you say what you really mean?
Are you really how you're perceived to be?
If the lights go out tomorrow,would you know?
I don't wanna call your family and tell them to build a coffin,
Because their oldest son just overdosed on pills.
You've got a red glare in your eyes,
And the sky outside your door's a blacker blue.
I hate to see what's become of you.
Tony, it's just a stick in the spokes.
It's not too late for you to find your way home,
Because your friends are still here,
And your family's where you left them.
So put on a clear head and try it out for a ride,
Because you're better than this and you can better your life.
You can't choose your father,
We're suffering together.
I don't wanna call your family and tell them to build a coffin,
Because their oldest son just overdosed on pills.
You've got a red glare in your eyes,
And the sky outside your door's a blacker blue.
I hate to see what's become of you.
You're getting closer to the end of your rope.
I never thought you'd let yourself get so cold.
But lately I've been thinking about the things I said to you,
And now I need to prove that
I didn't mean it when I said, that you were dead to me.
You mean the world to me.
I don't wanna call your family and tell them to build a coffin,
Because their oldest son just overdosed on pills.
You've got a red glare in your eyes,
And the sky outside your door's a blacker blue.
I hate to see what's become of you.
Lyrics submitted by fedorov1fan
Paternal Reversal Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It could possibly be about Anthony's dad. Anthony could be named after his dad (so his dad could be known as Tony). It is called "Paternal reversal" after all, implying that the role of father has been reversed.
Although saying "your" family kind of contradicts that.
this song seems to be about a wayward friend who he had an argument with a long time ago and is trying to talk into quitting drugs and coming home. this is an awesome song, as if bayside makes any other kind of songs.
Do you think this is about the same person in 'Masterpiece'?
to me it sounds like a drug-using friend who's on the verge of killing himself.. ah. all too familiar. :/
This reminds me of "Time Turned Fragile" by Motion City Soundtrack, in that I think it's sung from the point of view of a friend/family member talking TO Anthony. Or maybe even Anthony talking to himself.
After all, the person being referred to in the song is Tony (a very common nickname for Anthony). If not, oh well, but it makes sense.
it's possible that its abotu him
but i doubt it
about a friend
Going along with all the songs that aren't remakes of songs featured on earlier albums (i.e. Megan & Baby Britain) Paternal Reversal seems to me like a song not written by Bayside itself.
Perhaps, as the name of the troubled boy in the song is Tony (and the lead singer of Bayside being Anthony), and Anthony's lack of discretion in describing the troubles the band goes through at shows, in interviews, etc., this was written by a friend with him in mind and performed by the band.
I like the part Getting closer to the end of your rope.
I alway fast foward cuz I <3 that part
Maybe it's about Tony Victory?
I only think this because of the fact that Anthony chose to mention the name in the song. If it were just a friend of his who no-one would know, it wouldn't make sense to use their name, since it'd just be outing them and their problems for no reason. Whereas if it's a well-known Tony, then people can connect to the song if they know him.
I always just assumed Anthony wrote this about himself from another persons perspective. I know that he's been abstinent from alcohol for several years now, so maybe this was him looking at how he used to live his life and how he was killing himself and living a very dangerous, unhealthy lifestyle. Because of daddy issues, or something.