In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Spreading your love from the tip of a sword
Echoing the reason that poisons your
Thinking you know what's good for us all
I wish I could reach out...
To silence you
But I'm a waste in your eyes.
You say you don't need me to save you tonight.
But I need to save you tonight.
I'm standing alone on the brink of a stone
Trying to humanize the enemy inside you
We're cut from the same cloth but we are
Stained with the poison of pride
We're sucking the life from the whole of the world
Can't be confined or condemned to be
Reduced to a place that's a violent resolve
To the end they will try
And silence you.
Cause we're a waste in their eyes
The grace they describe
Won't save you tonight.
Spreading your love from the tip of a sword
Echoing your reason that poisons your
Of all your fear, love, anymore
Let pride come before a fall
I wish you could see and leave for something more
Than the things I'm confined and condemned to be
They will know our needs and we won't be ignored
So that we may excuse our lives
Don't let them silence you
Cause you're a waste in their eyes
There's a grace inside of you...
I need tonight...
Echoing the reason that poisons your
Thinking you know what's good for us all
I wish I could reach out...
To silence you
But I'm a waste in your eyes.
You say you don't need me to save you tonight.
But I need to save you tonight.
I'm standing alone on the brink of a stone
Trying to humanize the enemy inside you
We're cut from the same cloth but we are
Stained with the poison of pride
We're sucking the life from the whole of the world
Can't be confined or condemned to be
Reduced to a place that's a violent resolve
To the end they will try
And silence you.
Cause we're a waste in their eyes
The grace they describe
Won't save you tonight.
Spreading your love from the tip of a sword
Echoing your reason that poisons your
Of all your fear, love, anymore
Let pride come before a fall
I wish you could see and leave for something more
Than the things I'm confined and condemned to be
They will know our needs and we won't be ignored
So that we may excuse our lives
Don't let them silence you
Cause you're a waste in their eyes
There's a grace inside of you...
I need tonight...
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I think it's actually, "Echoing elitism that poisons you," and not "Echoing the reason that poison you." Sounds better and makes a little more sense, since the song is about elitism.
To me this song is about 2 enemies. Each one wants the other one to act as he acts, each one wants to save the other one (irony), but they can't swallow their pride. So they keep arguing and fighting verbally and maybe physically. Each one sees the other as a waste. But eventually one of them reaches out and tries to humanise the other one and accept him as he is. He sees that their pride will come before their fall. He wishes the other one could see in him something more than the things he is condemned to be (example, a black person is condemned to be a black person, he wishes his enemy sees beyond skin color)...
It's an awesome song and a great lesson of tolerance between religions, races, sexes, anything that comes to separate people. Tool's "Right in two" is about the way people separate each other, this one may be an answer. Billy Howerdel is an great person, great musician, and great human being, blessed with reason and thinking. He's actually one of my personal heroes.
Also, in the end, I think he says something like "... enemy, not blind anymore". I'm not sure, but it's definitely not "of all your fear love anymore"
I completely agree with you. This song feels very similar to The River by Pucifer (One of Maynard's side projects).
Sorry, it's Puscifer and The Humbling River.
5ii, i applaud your efforts and you got a heck a lot more of the lyrics right than I did, but i think in some places, you're wrong.
I think it's 'we're sucking the life from a hole in the world'
and 'i wish you could see me for something more' rather than 'i wish you could see and leave for something more'. I think it makes more sense with the next line 'than the things i'm confined and condemned to be'.
And i think the last line in the second to last stanza should be 'so that we may see some light.'
5ii, i applaud your efforts and you got a heck a lot more of the lyrics right than I did, but i think in some places, you're wrong.
I think it's 'we're sucking the life from a hole in the world'
and 'i wish you could see me for something more' rather than 'i wish you could see and leave for something more'. I think it makes more sense with the next line 'than the things i'm confined and condemned to be'.
And i think the last line in the second to last stanza should be 'so that we may see some light.'
Thanks Rhinriael. I've changed the lyrics to those you suggested.
This really is a haunting track. I heard that Maynard's son is playing the cello on this track. A brilliant ending to the album.
an antiwar song
I don't think it's an anti-war song at all. I think it's more along the lines of - and I'm a writer, so I can't help but create a story when I hear a beautiful song like this - of two people, one is in love with the other (just my view) and the other person, the one whom the song is about, is talking, namely about things that are dangerous to those in authority. So the authoritive figures are trying to silence this person, and the narrator wants this other person to be quiet, to stop talking so he'll be safe. By the end of the song, the narrator has changed his mind, and is telling this other person to never let those in authority stop him from speaking, 'don't let them silence you'.
5ii, yeah, Maynard's son does play cello in this song. I think it's absolutely beautiful.
This is definitely a stab at religion.
Very to-the-point. Very powerful. Very beautiful.
My favorite AD song. It speaks about overcoming an adversary that disguises their selfish deeds as in your best interest. It's their way or annihilation, and the song is about how to survive that thru grace. IMO ofc
__Here is my interpretation___
Spreading your love from the tip of a sword Echoing the reason that poisons your Thinking you know what's good for us all I wish I could reach out... To silence you +
But I'm a waste in your eyes. You say you don't need me to save you tonight. But I need to save you tonight. + -hes trying to silence the person but they don't care. they are sociopaths./HE is trying to help somone open their eyes to what is happening but they are blinded by the bad Person/government.
Im standing alone on the brink of a stone Trying to humanise the enemy inside you We're cut from the same cloth but we are Stained with the poison of pride + -now he is pretty much saying hes alone contemplating things. And then he trying to find the humane/nice side of them. But he/they are to PRIDEFUL to listen to him.
We're sucking the life from a hole in the world Can't be confined or condemned to be Reduced to a place that's a violent resolve To the end they will try And silence you. +
Cos we're a waste in their eyes The grace they describe Won't save you tonight. + -he is reminding us we are dirt to them. then the Promises/grace they used to trick us wont save u now from their violence.
Spreading your love from the tip of a sword Echoing your reason that poisons your Of all your fear, love, anymore?? Let pride come before a fall + -pride before the fall (also found in scripture) he is saying they will eventually fall/die it is inevitable.
I wish you could see me for something more Than the things I'm confined and condemned to be They will know our needs and we won't be ignored So that we may see some light + -re emphasizing that were are not condemned and we are more then THEY think of us. and they know we are being abused and he is saying we wont be ignored.
Don't let them silence you Cos you're a waste in their eyes There's a grace inside of you... I need tonight... +
Billy Howerdel is a gifted musician and i would say was the backbone of a perfect circle and in alot of ways TOOL too. Anyways i don't think it has to do with 2 people in love or antiwar (IMO).