Robert_Vanleeuwen

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Creed – My Own Prison Lyrics 8 years ago
A very deep embodied meaning is seen through these lyrics. One that outlines the malicious hate & discontent formed in our society. Using the parable of an innocent man cast into the depths of hell - against his will - he cries out for help in desperation for what he lost, for God to save him. Ultimately finding that his persecution is seen as his own doing because his faith, in himself and inability to denounce his heart - his meaning; keeps him there. This progression clearly seen in the first verse,

"A court is in session, a verdict is in
No appeal on the docket today
Just my own sin"

Unannounced to him, there's hate in the wind. Others decided a fate, destroying his life for no reason other than seemingly out of the coldness of theirs. He sarcastically states there's nothing left but " my own sin" signifying that he's human, as if to describe "why". But the sin of any average person would not amount to such a horrible condemnation, or so you'd think. Yet it becomes a firm description of humanity, both alone & dark, hateful & sparked. Insinuating that those who committed this act are in the process of creating their own prison at the same time.

"The walls are cold and pale
The cage made of steel
Screams fill the room
Alone I drop and kneel"

The narrative continues by describing the prison in which he's found. A description of the psychological and spiritual battle that ensues following a loss so great.

"Silence now the sound
My breath the only motion around
Demons cluttering around
My face showing no emotion"

Silence is all that's left, his light, his purpose taken away. He is still & quiet, questioning existence, hearing only his breathe and the sounds of demons walking among him - yet no fear of the torture, just disbelief. He continues by describing himself as shackled by this loss, losing sight of what matters, losing hope, losing faith. Out comes to a point that so much time has passed, his skin begins to burn as he gives up on life and into the demons around him.

"Shackled by my sentence
Expecting no return
Here there is no penance
My skin begins to burn"

(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) All held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one

So what does he do? While he may not accept where he is, he does hold on to the meaning inside him. Refusing to give in - He holds his head up high, hiding the hate & resentment that burns inside - which only fuels their selfish pride. Describing himself as weak, crying out to all who are held captive like him.

I hear a thunder in the distance
See a vision of a cross
I feel the pain that was given
On that sad day of loss
A lion roars in the darkness
Only he holds the key
A light to free me from my burden
And grant me life eternally

God has sent a message, thunder in the distance, visions of the cross; understanding the pain that was given to carry our burdens & loss - hearing the lion - Aslan - God - roaring in the distance, holding the key and shining the light to set him free. It is here that it becomes clear, this prison isn't of his own doing, but of others - where the continuation of it is being used as a tool to teach, to understand, to strengthen - the faith that has been lost.

Should have been dead
On a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time

Should have been dead
On a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time

(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) All held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one

Yet he doesn't get it. So he continues his cry to god for freedom - being told that he's "created his own prison" - which is simply a statement of his lack of faith. Have faith. Have faith is Gabriel's true statement here.

I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison
I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison

(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) All held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one

(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) We're held captive (I created)
Out from the sun (I created)
A sun that shines on only some (I created)
We the meek are all in one (I created my own prison)

Should've been dead on a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time

The repetitive chorus makes a statement - that no matter what - the only way is forward. Never give up on true meaning that sits within you. Never denounce your love, never turn your back. When hate comes knocking, when demons come walking - hold your head up high and keep on walking. Have faith & Never Give up. Cause, well, you should've been dead - but you aren't.

submissions
John Legend – Made To Love Lyrics 9 years ago
The above lyrics are a little off, but the message isn't lost. A powerful compilation of meaning & faith can be seen through these words, giving the listener an open invitation to feel what only their hearts can give them. So many are lost in the darkness of this world - living in the moment instead of for it. The original video by John Legend didn't hit me so deeply as a few of the cuts I've seen. One compilation in particular, using Disney's "Paperman" as a base; we see the story of a young man who by fate comes face to face with the heart that makes him see. A moment we all hope for. In the coming scenes he notices this same woman in the building across the street, as if brought together again by luck. Just out of reach, not knowing what to do; he does the only thing he can - fold paper airplanes and throw them across in hopes of grabbing her attention. It takes on a metaphorical meaning for those of us who have fought continuously for someone we love - showing us that despite being oceans apart, there's some things in life that will be worth fighting for. Some of the airplanes even make it in the office she's standing, though she remains oblivious. Eventually he runs out of paper and frantically looks around in hopes of finding a better option. He looks down at the last one he has with her lipstick, the only thing he has left of her if the moment passes. He sighs and folds the paper with this look of faith written on his face, as if to say to himself "this one can work". Just as he prepares to throw it though, the wind comes and grabs it from his hands and out the window. He jumps but can't catch it. Looking as if his last chance just flew away, the lyrics (1:50) "I was never sure of a God before; but I know he must exist, he created this." started. He looks up to see her leaving the office and walking out to the street below. Panicked, he turns around to run down only to be stopped by his boss. He sits for a moment and thinks about what he should do. Realizing this feeling is worth it. He jumps from his desk and runs to the street below hoping to catch her before she disappears - which brings us to the part about faith. Instead of finding her, he only finds the last paper airplane atop a mailbox. Frustrated & angry, he throws the airplane and "gives up" - walking away with a sense of defeat & loneliness. But the universe has something else in store. We follow the airplane as it flies & through a string of random & fateful events is bringing them back together. The airplane again lands by the foot of this man as if to be an image of how our hearts continue to remind us of the times we've tried so hard. "Don't Forget" - He brushes it off in frustration but these feelings, these reminders in the form of paper airplanes continue to push him in directions he doesn't understand. The character fights and fights, but little does he know the last paper he threw was brought face to face with the same young woman, who is, in the same way; being brought in her own direction. The video ends with her holding the original paper airplane as she steps off this random train, looking up to see the young man who tried so desperately to grab her attention. Never lose faith, that even when you think the opportunity to share something real has passed, the world will bring whats ultimately right back together. Fate, Destiny, Love - No matter how you view it. Faith is what brings you through.

submissions
Daughtry – It's Not Over Lyrics 9 years ago
It's a proposal plain & simple. I'm not sure whats more disappointing here; the fact that nobody has yet to note this in their comments, or that people are really too ignorant to see the beautiful meaning attached. I love the fact that the lyrics are easy to follow and lack any real subliminal meaning. Unlike most songs, the poetry doesn't have to be interpreted, the interpretation is itself the song.

The first stanza begins with a heartfelt plea to the woman he loves, marked by the holding of her hand and his eyes set firmly on the hanging cross in the car (0:37) which I interpret as faith. "I was blown away" - "it all seemed to make sense" - "you've taken away" - "and I cant do without".

"I was blown away, what could I say?
It all seemed to make sense
You've taken away everything
And I can't do without, I try to see the good in life
But good things in life are hard to find"

He wants her to know that he understands what tore them apart, and he realizes that no matter what, he can't go on without her in his life. After all, good things are really hard to find, and he found everything good in this world inside of her.

The chorus ends up being a repetative description of his love, showing her that he has done everything in his power to build his life around her. He wants to start over, understanding that life lacks meaning without his best friend. This love is the only thing he really feels, what brings him to life and she is the only one who can give him the light he needs. so no matter what she says, it's not over.

"Well, I tried to do it right this time around
Let's start over
I tried to do it right this time around
it's not over
There's a part of me that's dead and in the ground
This love is killing me
but you're the only one
it's not over"

The second stanza reveals the heartache he lives with - having to watch the clock, so to speak. As he continues to miss the most important moments in life. He conveys the pain that weighs him down in having to put on this fake smile, remain strong and hold on hoping that he could make it back to her. Again, this means everything to him; and no matter what she says, he is dedicated to her and her alone.

"Taken all I could take, and I can not wait
We're wasting too much time
Being strong, holding on
Can't let it bring us down
My life with you means everything
So I won't give up that easily
Blow it away, blow it away
Can we make this something good?
'Cause it's all misunderstood"

The final stanza is his heartfelt plea for her to trust him - let go of her ego, let go of her doubt, let go of her fear of the unknown. Let it out, trust in me, because I'm holding on for you.

"We can't let this get away
Let it out, let it out
Don't get caught up in yourself, let it out"

"Let's start over
I tried to do it right this time around, it's not over
'Cause a part of me is dead and in the ground
This love is killing me, but you're the only one
It's not over, let's start over
It's not over, oh yeah, yeah!
This love is killing me, but you're the only one,
it's not over"

I feel this song takes a particular meaning in my life. I didn't actually do anything wrong, but lies and deceit took my family away from me - destroying everything I had. I face the hardship of rebuilding my life for the one woman I love and cherish, and our kids that I yearn to be next to. Like the message in this song, no matter what she says or does. It's not over.

- Robert Vanleeuwen

submissions
Brandon Heath – Give Me Your Eyes Lyrics 9 years ago
I think this song encourages us to ask ourselves one of the most significant questions of all. "Are we blind? Can we see? We are one, Incomplete." as the verve put it in "love is noise". It's the change we can make if we seek the ability to understand and share our hearts with those around us. To see not with our own eyes of judgement, or ego. But to see with the eyes of compassion & hope. I think Brandon Heath succeeded in conveying this message through a brilliant collation of poetic justice. The video complimenting every note, clearly following in an effort to convey a simple truth. At 1:53 the chorus begins as a young lady walks into the street and is faced with her final moment of life. "Give me your eyes for just one second" - "Give me your eyes so I can see" - "Everything that I keep missing" - "Give me your love for humanity" - As if to clearly say that he realized he could have changed the way things were, if only he had truly seen what he had felt. This is backed up in the final seconds of the song at 3:36 when instead of watching the young lady walk away, he instead runs toward her and through the compassion in his heart, and instead of ignoring what he saw - acted - and saved a life. Reminding each of us that we too have the power to change the circumstances that surround us and the lives of those in despair.

If you haven't seen the video I highly encourage it. As we should all understand and share this message. Every corner you turn, every path you cross, is brimming with the opportunity to make a difference. The change starts with you.

- Robert Vanleeuwen

submissions
The Smashing Pumpkins – Today Lyrics 9 years ago
The lyrics of this song cannot be interpreted without watching and fully comprehending the video. which sadly, has a very cruel and relevant meaning to my own life and the trials that I have been facing against my will.

The video starts off with the ice cream dealer, we'll go ahead and call him Fred for this interpretation. Selling Ice cream to the kids on the street. The song then pauses briefly as Fred looks to the sidewalk behind him and notices a random couple making out. He is obviously in distress over it. Saddened. Alone. Wishing & Hoping for something Real; Someone to share his life with. He then drives off away from the kids, who I portray as the innocent youth who have no idea of the truth that awaits them. The lyrics in the chorus & first stanza are sarcastic.

The scene quickly changes again to Fred driving through a desolate desert. Void of meaning and form. He looks to the side of the road and sees couple after couple making out. As if the world is Mocking his loneliness and heart. That is, until he comes across a young woman in need of a ride, alone in the desert like him. Fred is enthralled, over-joyed, happy and in love. After all, he has everything to give her. The girl jumps aboard the truck - the lyrics no longer sarcastic, but truth - Today is the greatest day! and this would be a good time to note that the truck is an ice-cream truck - as if to say that in this desolate and dry place, void of meaning and life, Fred has something fresh and true to offer - something more than the others, who seem to only want possession & lust. Fred and who I will now deem Frida - make their way down the road together - happy. Note that this is the last time you will see Frida in the video.

The next scene shows something concerning - a sign, in the middle of the desert that says "GAS" - as if to be a pit-stop - IE - you will get what you need here. But the Sign is freshly painted by a young male and female who seem to have put this here on purpose for Fred - Indicating a more sadistically cruel plan. Wrong Intentions - To Hijack, To steal, To Destroy - & worse, to cause Fred to Destroy Himself - through a hoax that they will play.

Fred & Frida end up at this gas pump, where the young lady in red is sitting with her back turned to the truck, defining her intentions as not in the best interests of Fred or Frida. The young man and female wittingly distract Fred, while another guy in yellow sporting a cowboy hat - cowboy hat indicating a quote - coming to the "rescue" - sneaks into the scene while Freds attention is being pulled in a different direction. the lyrics yet again sarcastic, The painting starts by the lady in red painting Red, the truck, as if to taint it. As they paint further, Fred begins to paint himself yellow, as if to convey as sense of cowardliness - not knowing what the right thing to do is. then joins in on the tainting of his own life by giving up on himself. The painting scene escalating with everyone painting the truck, including the man in yellow who is the only individual without a single spot of paint on himself.

the now tainted ice cream truck, with everyone aboard, including this man in yellow. drives off, with the now tainted Fred. the truck stops just outside the gas station and the 3 individuals throw Fred out of the truck. Fred still has the sneaky man in yellows hat, indicating that the goal was to control and take away Frida.

Fred is left without anything. covered in paint. tainted. or in another way of translating, torn apart and wronged. That the tainting of him, and the wrong-doing of others - made him lose himself and in the end, taint himself. through self-doubt, fear, cowardliness & disbelief.

In the end, the man in yellow has the girl, and his friends succeeded in destroying everything true and honest that Frida was about to receive. Noting that the man in yellow, is the only one without any paint on him, yet he partakes in painting, sadistically laughing while doing so (3:18 in Video) and destroying the truck in the final scenes. While his friends, the lady in red and man in blue, taint themselves at the same time, indicating that they are orchestrating this hoax - showing their true colors. The man in yellow, clean, left standing, looking like the savior. When in reality, the good guy in this story was the one that Frida was taken from.

7 Months ago now, I lost my family - My Fiance' Elisseth Ramirez, our two children and an unborn baby to a similar hoax. A week before our wedding date. Where I was lied about, and deemed unworthy - Everything I had worked for, everything I wanted to share with the woman I loved, Tainted by their lies and hatred. All for another man to come into the picture. The result of losing her, made me give up on life and I began to taint myself through my depression and disbelief. Losing everything I had put together for her, to share with her. The hatred continuing to this day, through the mental and verbal abuse of shallow individuals.

submissions
The Smashing Pumpkins – Today Lyrics 9 years ago
The lyrics of this song cannot be interpreted without watching and fully comprehending the video. which sadly, has a very cruel and relevant meaning to my own life and the trials that I have been facing against my will.

The video starts off with the ice cream dealer, we'll go ahead and call him Fred for this interpretation. Selling Ice cream to the kids on the street. The song then pauses briefly as Fred looks to the sidewalk behind him and notices a couple making out. He is obviously in distress over it. Saddened. Alone. Wishing & Hoping for something Real, Someone to share his life with. He then drives off away from the kids, who I portray as the innocent youth who have no idea of the truth that awaits them. The lyrics in the chorus & first stanza are sarcastic.

The scene quickly changes to Fred driving through a desolate desert. Void of meaning and form. He looks to the side of the road and sees couple after couple making out. As if the world is Mocking his loneliness and heart. That is, until he comes across a young woman in need of a ride, a young woman who is also alone in the desert like him. Fred is enthralled, over-joyed, happy and in love. After all, he has everything to give her. The girl jumps aboard the truck - the lyrics no longer sarcastic, but truth - today is the greatest day! and this would be a good time to note that the truck is an ice-cream truck - as if to say that in this desolate and dry place, void of meaning and life, Fred has something fresh and true to offer - something more than the others, who seem to only want possession and lust. Fred and who I will now deem Frida - make their way down the road together - happy. Note that this is the last time you will see Frida in the video.

The next scene shows something concerning - a sign, in the middle of the desert that says "GAS" - as if to be a pit-stop - IE - you will get what you need here. But the Sign is freshly painted by a young male and female who seem to have put this here on purpose for Fred - Indicating a more sadistically cruel plan. Wrong Intentions - To Hijack, To steal, To Destroy - & worse, to cause Fred to Destroy Himself - through a hoax that they will play.

Fred & Frida end up at this gas pump, where the young lady in red is sitting on the ground with her back turned to the truck, defining her intentions as not in the best interests of Fred or Frida. The young man and female wittingly distract Fred, while another guy in yellow and a cowboy hat - cowboy hat indicating a quote - coming to the "rescue" - sneaks into the scene while Freds attention is being pulled in a different direction. the lyrics yet again sarcastic, The painting starts by the lady in red painting Red, the truck, as if to taint it. As they paint further, Fred begins to paint himself yellow, as if to convey as sense of cowardliness - not knowing what the right thing to do is. then joins in on the tainting of his own life by giving up on himself. The painting scene escalating with everyone painting the truck, including the man in yellow who is the only individual without a single spot of paint on him - and now Fred joining in.

the now tainted ice cream truck, with everyone aboard, including this man in yellow. drives off, with the now tainted Fred. the truck stops just outside the gas station and the 3 individuals throw Fredout of the truck. Fred still has the sneaky man in yellows hat, indicating that the goal was to control and take away Frida.

Fred is left without anything. covered in paint. tainted. or in another way of translating, torn apart and wronged. That the tainting of him, and the wrong-doing of others - made him lose himself and in the end, taint himself. through self-doubt, fear, cowardliness & disbelief.

In the end, the man in yellow has the girl, and his friends succeeded in destroying everything true and honest that Frida was about to receive. Noting that the man in yellow, is the only one without any paint on him, yet he partakes in painting, sadistically laughing while doing so (3:18 in Video) and destroying the truck in the final scenes. While his friends, the lady in red and man in blue, taint themselves at the same time, indicating that they are orchestrating this hoax - showing their true colors. The man in yellow, clean, left standing, looking like the savior. When in reality, the good guy in this story was the one that Frida was taken from.

7 Months ago now, I lost my family - My Fiance' Elisseth Ramirez, our two children and an unborn baby to a similar hoax. A week before our wedding date. Where I was lied about, and deemed unworthy - Everything I had worked for, everything I wanted to share with the woman I loved, Tainted by their lies and hatred. All for another man to come into the picture. The result of losing her, made me give up on life and I began to taint myself through my depression and disbelief. Losing everything I had put together for her, to share with her. The hatred continuing to this day, through the mental and verbal abuse of shallow individuals.

submissions
The Smashing Pumpkins – Disarm Lyrics 9 years ago
No doubt, Billy Corgan wrote this song to share his feelings about his abusive childhood - he was honest and upfront with the feelings he had thrown about inside of him. However, like all music; it is a form of art and the underlying meaning can be applicable in a lot of different scenarios. I feel these lyrics convey a deeper meaning over the bitterness of loss. Take the First Stanza

Disarm you with a smile
And cut you like you want me to
Cut that little child
Inside of me and such a part of you
Ooh, the years burn
Ooh, the years burn

To me this blatantly screams out how you should act in the face of severe affliction. "In the face of adversity, Dawn a Fake Smile" - "Do it because that is they want you to" - as if the purpose of the pain and torture is to affect you. And it is, isnt it? Cut that little child is describing the kindred spirit within ourselves, "Inside of me, and such a part of you" as if to say that the smile you pose is just as fake as their shallow character. The years continuing to burn inside and eat up your spirit - who you are.

The second stanza changes notions - as if to speak to another event in life, and how the choices you make are affected by the pain you felt so long ago.

Disarm you with a smile
And leave you like they left me here
To wither in denial
The bitterness of one who's left alone
Ooh, the years burn
Ooh, the years burn, burn, burn

"In the face of adversity, dawn a fake smile" - "Turn your back on someone or something, and leave them like you were left" - "to wither in denial over whats happened to them" - As if to to let the bitterness of your past change who you are and allow yourself to be filled with the same hate and discord. "The bitterness of one who's left alone" - "Ohh, the years burn" - is describing the reason why you would act in such a way - bitterness.

I used to be a little boy
So old in my shoes
And what I choose is my voice
What's a boy supposed to do?
The killer in me is the killer in you
My love
I send this smile over to you

"I was once a kindred spirit" - "So old in my shoes" - As if to look back on the days that you were oblivious to the creulty of others. the days before you had to go through such a trial in life - admitting that you are now so worn and old in your shoes (ie, the same feet that was once a part of that kindred spirit) - "but what I choose is MY voice" - Who you are, not allowing the past to change who you are, to never lose connection to that kindred spirit, no matter what you have been through. cause after all, "whats a boy supposed to do?". "The thing that you hurt in me, is the thing you hurt in yourself" - "love" - "So I send this smile over to you"

Overall, the moral story here is to deny the feelings of hate and bitterness over what may have happened to you. To stay true to who you are, and not allow yourself to become what they are. You do this by sending them a message by being you through it all.

submissions
The Wallflowers – One Headlight Lyrics 9 years ago
To me this song has a deep seeding in how we overcome the trials and tribulations that life throws at us, even through the loss of something important. Carrying on.

Beginning with the all to real notion of displaced amnesia, in a sense. "So long ago, I don't remember when" - may not have been very long at all. It's just the inability for one to face what is happening to them that causes a disconnection to their own reality (who they are) - The car, referenced in these lyrics - is their life after the loss of something important to their heart. Whether that be inoncence, a loved one, or even an oppurtunity to take a specific path. The lyrics do keep this interpretation open. I for one, keep solid to the love story inside.

As the chorus rolls in, it feels like this individual is stuck, unable to move after the loss and is trying to motivate himself to get up and do something with his life, "Come on, Try a little" - to get up and find who he was, what he lost. "But me and Cinderella" - they could put it all together, and no matter how damaged or held back this person is, they could easily drive it home with "one headlight" - if only he could get back what he lost, or never lost it in the first place, nothing in life would be able to hold him back.

Loss doesn't have to mean forever either. Some things in life are worth fighting for and I think the ending of this song includes this interpretation. As the second verse continues the description of the world he has to face alone - dark and full of greed, hate and despare. He is desperately looking for an opening, or a path to take to bring him back to life. Whether that be closure, or finding what he lost. He mentions later that "Man, I Ain't changed, but I know I Ain't the same" as if he realizes who he was, but still can't be that person without his heart. And even thinks about suicide as an option to escape this madness.

Lastly he plays the chorus again, trying to motivate himself to get up and fight. Ending with the memory of how things were, meaning he is trying to find the strength to fight by remembering what he is fighting for. I like how one reviewer put it

"Now she's gone but he resolves to carry on, to fight through to the end, even though this light in his life has gone out. What strikes me is his use of "we" as in "we can drive it home". She's gone, but he's still going to make it through for her." - Moral. Never stop fighting.

submissions
Death from Above 1979 – Black History Month Lyrics 10 years ago
seriously? its life. "mother and father are leaving" and as we take the reigns we realize this world isn't all its cracked up to be. Because unwittingly we all follow the same path whether we realize it or not. I didn't take the tone as dark, more serious, like "hey! you guys seeing this!?". "shouldn't it have been" indicating what we were taught to see as a child, what we saw as a child. but as we grow we realize the truth. It just isn't.

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