Low Light

First off, I'd like to preface this by saying, a song is what you make of it--it only is what it means to you, that could be alot, or nothing.

Low Light was written by Jeff Ament. He was quoted as saying 'I think 'Pilate' was the question I was asking myself, and 'Low Light' was the answer.'

Pilate is about the biblical 'Pontius Pilate being all alone on a mountain with his dog. He couldn't sleep and he couldn't function. It really struck me hard, because at that point in my life I was feeling very alone.' --According to Ament.

So, personally, I look at 'Low Light' as a response to 'Pilate.' A beautiful conversation going on in the poetic mind of Ament, and an eloquent response to the questions many of us have in life. Pilate was hung up on ordering the crucification of Christ, and couldn't get this out of his head. How many times do each of us dwell on mistakes we made? He was really annoyed by the last conversation he had with Christ being cut too short. How many times have you started a prayer and stopped halfway through when you felt content? The things Pilate was going through, Ament was going through as well.

Looking at 'Low Light':

'Scent way back' could easily be a reference to Jesus having perfume poured on him in the tomb. 'Poise blows by' was most like Pilate losing his poise to yield and allow the crucifixion. 'Two birds is what they’ll see getting lost upon their way'…I think it was Peter who heard the Rooster (a bird), crow whenever he denied Jesus. 'I need the light. I’ll find my way from wrong.'–Is Pilate’s lament on the mountain with his dog. 'What’s real? The dream I see.'–Spiritual awakening? 'Can wear my mask, your first, my last'–Dealing with the tradition of an executioner wearing a mask. Like they were breaking someone in during the crucifixion, and Pilate gives him his mask, because he personally won’t be needing it anymore.

Thoughts from the Peanut Gallery?