| Tool – Eulogy Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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@Gremio: Very good post, one of the better that I've read, but I want to reply to/add on a few things that you said that were a bit off. First, it is not true that a song only has the meaning (or multiple meanings) that the writer intended. Many song are written for the point of being vague and allowing the audience to interpret on their own. This is not necessarily true for Eulogy, but it could be. Secondly, there is much evidence pointing toward Jesus being the subject of this song. It is not said directly but the consistent word usage creates a strong sense that Jesus is the subject matter. For example, if you saw these words/phrases, who would you think of? Martyr Divinity Above the ground Lead the way Die for me Cross Ascend Crucified Sins All words/phrases used in Eulogy. Very Biblical at the least, and the consistent usage of He and Him would point toward Jesus. With that said, I agree with you. I don't think it is about Jesus, or any one person directly. The song musically builds from one tone being repeated to Tool's typical counter-beat mayhem and unifies again during the half-spoken line about your own eulogy, where it breaks down again. The song is apparently about order being derived out of nothing, trying to be controlled by one or few and the inevitable breakdown that ensues. This is very close to what you said, but where I disagree is where you said it was about martyrdom. I don't feel that it is about anything specific, but about human nature in general. You can input any subject or human action in and Eulogy works for it. Personally, I feel that Maynard chose to vaguely reference Jesus (L. Ron Hubbard, Bill Hicks, whoever you choose to see) as a vehicle to deliver this story. The answer to the mystery of this song is not in the lyrics, but the progression of the music itself. Maynard says that the lyrics are just a part of the song, and its the music that makes it whole and that tells the story. |
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| Tool – Eulogy Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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re: si0ux I was just trying to figure out that part. I'm not sure about the first sentence (sounds like it starts with "I'm still smiling.."), but I got this for the rest: "So he bashes his skull through the window that overlooks the sea. Twilight of my ego. We're very amused by this." Regardless, judging by the perspective shifts, it seems more like nonsense than answers to the mystery of the song. There is another indistinguishable line prior to these ones. Sounds like: "You can feel the ? pain of my whole being" It starts at about 4:55 and is very distorted by the megaphone. Also, read Davaldo19's long post on 1.4.08 as it is the most sensible one I've read. To add onto it, if anything (and I don't assume to know what MJK was thinking when he wrote this) he is purposely using the Jesus metaphor and distorting it beyond the traditional thinking (see the 12.20.07 post) as an example of what Davaldo19 is saying. There is no higher being, follow your own beliefs. Those who try to lead the way are full of hot air. Follow them, and don't be surprised when you've wasted your whole life and it all still ends with you eulogy. |
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| Clutch – Mice and Gods Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Sounds more like it's about alternate future, post-Armaggedon. | |
| Tool – Schism Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I don't know if it was mentioned before, since I didn't read all of the 10 pages of other comments, but I have always felt that this song is about the Tower of Babel. The Tower of Babel is mentioned in Genesis, and it was a structure that humans were building to reach the heavens. It was not an offering to God, but a structure built for their own egos. Because of this God confused their language; made it so they could no longer communicate. Because of this everyone got confused, stopped building the tower and wandered off all over the world, creating the different races of the world. The Tower of Babel fell. Even though this is from the Bible, and in part because I am not religious myself, I don't feel that this song is religious in itself. As in all Tool songs, they tend to be more about our own faults and accepting them. Know that we're not perfect and its ok. It's not about repenting our sins and worshiping God. I think the religious edge comes from Maynard's mother, who was very religious. Anyway, to get to my point. I think this song is how far we have come, and once again we are striving to conquer the sky. Our greed, and egos, and all of our ugly characteristics are pushing us to strive hard to accomplish the impossible and do things better/faster/more, and once again things are going to tumble down around us. The beauty of Maynard's lyrics is that he can conjure all of this imagery in so few words and everyone is able to interpret itfor himself. |
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