Yeah, I don't think so. Here's my take on it.
It's about how different he has become since he made the Downward Spiral. He's talked much about the influences of that time in his life had on this album. The first stanza is about how he has aged and matured, and his fears of being too old to continue making music. Music is the "only thing he's ever done" The Downward Spiral is the "closest he has ever come" to being a total rock star considering the popularity gain he had during that time. Those times are also the "best times he's ever known" because that is when he was the most popular, and I think that sometimes we tend to romanticize our sadness/depression, plus we're often nostalgic as well. I think he is very proud of himself in ways. He's proud that he felt that way, but has overcome it. What he means by "Yesterday I found out the world was ending" is about how his reign as THE rock star has ended. He's no longer in the lime light or on magazine covers like he was during the 90's. The next part is about how he has changed. A little more of his past self slips away, his old addicted, depressed, and destructive self, but he doesn't mind because now he is happy and at peace with himself. He has won the battle. He wishes it didn't have to end this way, because he wishes he could have gone out on top. He wishes he could have remained popular. He wishes he could have given more to the world. And perhaps, he has bittersweet feelings about his inability to write as well, lyrically, since he is happy and drug free. He's glad he's no longer drowning in destruction, but wishes he could have retained that muse that guided him through his previous masterwork. I think the next stanza is about regret. I think a part of him misses being young again. Also, it may not be a stretch to say that he's going through a bit of a mid-life-crisis. He is a middle-aged man after all. I think part of him regrets the way he kind of destroyed/wasted his early life, his prime, through drugs, etc....The final part is again more reflective. He's saying, "well, at least I have the memories..." and he's realizing that he's spent his whole life chasing after fame and fortune and happiness, and now I think he has that and kind of feels a little bit hollow, like he has nothing left to chase after, nothing else to gain. All he can hope for now is hope that those who love him, and I mean this in a very broad sense (his wife, kids, family, friends, and fans) will continue to stay with him and love him. I think he may feel a little bit "disappointed" with himself. Like he isn't the man he used to be. Maybe he wishes he would of had the love and support he has now 20 years ago when he was going through the hardest times of his life. Maybe he feels like he doesn't have much to offer the world or those he is close to anymore.
Yeah, I don't think so. Here's my take on it. It's about how different he has become since he made the Downward Spiral. He's talked much about the influences of that time in his life had on this album. The first stanza is about how he has aged and matured, and his fears of being too old to continue making music. Music is the "only thing he's ever done" The Downward Spiral is the "closest he has ever come" to being a total rock star considering the popularity gain he had during that time. Those times are also the "best times he's ever known" because that is when he was the most popular, and I think that sometimes we tend to romanticize our sadness/depression, plus we're often nostalgic as well. I think he is very proud of himself in ways. He's proud that he felt that way, but has overcome it. What he means by "Yesterday I found out the world was ending" is about how his reign as THE rock star has ended. He's no longer in the lime light or on magazine covers like he was during the 90's. The next part is about how he has changed. A little more of his past self slips away, his old addicted, depressed, and destructive self, but he doesn't mind because now he is happy and at peace with himself. He has won the battle. He wishes it didn't have to end this way, because he wishes he could have gone out on top. He wishes he could have remained popular. He wishes he could have given more to the world. And perhaps, he has bittersweet feelings about his inability to write as well, lyrically, since he is happy and drug free. He's glad he's no longer drowning in destruction, but wishes he could have retained that muse that guided him through his previous masterwork. I think the next stanza is about regret. I think a part of him misses being young again. Also, it may not be a stretch to say that he's going through a bit of a mid-life-crisis. He is a middle-aged man after all. I think part of him regrets the way he kind of destroyed/wasted his early life, his prime, through drugs, etc....The final part is again more reflective. He's saying, "well, at least I have the memories..." and he's realizing that he's spent his whole life chasing after fame and fortune and happiness, and now I think he has that and kind of feels a little bit hollow, like he has nothing left to chase after, nothing else to gain. All he can hope for now is hope that those who love him, and I mean this in a very broad sense (his wife, kids, family, friends, and fans) will continue to stay with him and love him. I think he may feel a little bit "disappointed" with himself. Like he isn't the man he used to be. Maybe he wishes he would of had the love and support he has now 20 years ago when he was going through the hardest times of his life. Maybe he feels like he doesn't have much to offer the world or those he is close to anymore.
Great reading !
Great reading !