
my 2nd fave rush song.
my 2nd fave rush song.

written while driving through the desert to kashmir.
written while driving through the desert to kashmir.

I think he often thinks about someone at night. For him it was only supposed to be a physical love story, they were never really together. Maybe he was taken and only realized much later that it was really love. But he is too comfortable to change his life, wonders if the relationship would really be better than the one he is in and does nothing about it, but think about her night after night.
I think he often thinks about someone at night. For him it was only supposed to be a physical love story, they were never really together. Maybe he was taken and only realized much later that it was really love. But he is too comfortable to change his life, wonders if the relationship would really be better than the one he is in and does nothing about it, but think about her night after night.

I'm convinced this song is about a girl who committed suicide over a guy she couldn't have, but couldn't live with the reality. Tom just wouldn't admit it because it might damage the song's popularity.I've been there many, many, many times. I just wouldn't kill myself over anybody, but I can understand how some could.
I'm convinced this song is about a girl who committed suicide over a guy she couldn't have, but couldn't live with the reality. Tom just wouldn't admit it because it might damage the song's popularity.I've been there many, many, many times. I just wouldn't kill myself over anybody, but I can understand how some could.

amazing scream at the end by roger daltrey.
amazing scream at the end by roger daltrey.

knocked 12 year old me on my ass when i heard it in 6th grade.
knocked 12 year old me on my ass when i heard it in 6th grade.

my fave rush song.
my fave rush song.

Before I begin explaining I am very aware that I could be entirely wrong on this, but this is how my mind interprets the theory and feel to this track by Tool. But again, it could be wrong and way off subject!! But........
Before I begin explaining I am very aware that I could be entirely wrong on this, but this is how my mind interprets the theory and feel to this track by Tool. But again, it could be wrong and way off subject!! But........
I believe that to the song "Flood" in meaning it is about a journey of personal growth and enlightenment through ones own psych.
But throughout the journey one must fight against the various existing obstacles and distractions in order to push on and continue moving forward or beyond.
I believe that to the song "Flood" in meaning it is about a journey of personal growth and enlightenment through ones own psych.
But throughout the journey one must fight against the various existing obstacles and distractions in order to push on and continue moving forward or beyond.
'And I believe that in the tracks...
'And I believe that in the tracks lyrical content, the concept is about one having or needing to let go of ones past self to move forward, grow beyond, and expand ones own mental and/or emotional state (of mind), before the will drowns within the floods of desperation and devastation. To keep pushing forward to find your own place to feel centered and whole. And continue climbing to reach towards new heights to find your necessary clarity, balance, and peace (of mind.)

neil wrote these lyrics after talking to geddy,s mom.
neil wrote these lyrics after talking to geddy,s mom.
"The Doldrums" is an area in the ocean, near the Equator, where there can be no wind at all for weeks at a time. Sailing ships could become becalmed for very long stretches, and deep depressions and suicides among their crews were not uncommon. This song describes such an event; the drowned man left the ship intentionally "on a windless night;" no storm blew him overboard. His friend, the singer, tried to save him but failed. "Ah, but you did slip" conveys profound regret and sorrow. The song repeatedly contrasts the "living man's" fortunate life - his marriage to his beloved,...
"The Doldrums" is an area in the ocean, near the Equator, where there can be no wind at all for weeks at a time. Sailing ships could become becalmed for very long stretches, and deep depressions and suicides among their crews were not uncommon. This song describes such an event; the drowned man left the ship intentionally "on a windless night;" no storm blew him overboard. His friend, the singer, tried to save him but failed. "Ah, but you did slip" conveys profound regret and sorrow. The song repeatedly contrasts the "living man's" fortunate life - his marriage to his beloved, most beautiful wife, his material wealth (there's a lot of gold on his finger), and his simply being alive - with the state of his emotionally unstable friend, now cold, alone, low, dark in the deep ("I'm a living man, and you're a cold one"). Eventually, a little wind blows up, to fill their sails and end the Doldrums/doldrums, and their lucky ship speeds across the sea - "hauls away" for home. We can speculate endlessly about the singer's relationship with his wife, but I think he's very happily married; his heavy, gold wedding ring could be seen to symbolize the strength of their bond. But there's no doubt in my mind about how he feels about his dead friend, whom he tried to save but could not. The song is about as sad as a song can be. The last "Haul away, haul away for home" brings me to tears every time I play it or sing it. The music is undeniably mournful as well. Of course, if you don't know what the Doldrums are, you wouldn't know the origin of the phrase "to be in the doldrums," and you could not possibly guess at the reason for this suicidal sailor's depression, or know that it was suicide; weak and unstable ("you never were a steady bold one") he could not endure the Doldrums any longer. I enjoyed all the creative speculation in this thread, and there could be layers of meaning symbolized, but the story this song tells is very simple and straightforward. One of my very favorites, from my very favorite musician/balladeer. P.S. If you have not yet read the Patrick O'Brien series that the movie "Master and Commander" is based on, do yourself a huge favor if you love to read. They are widely considered to be the best historical novels on any subject ever written. I have read them all twice (there are I think 25 of them). I enjoyed the movie immensely (MK wrote the score, if you didn't know), but obviously it left a lot of great stuff out.