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Audioslave – What You Are Lyrics 6 years ago
@[HockeyJoe:29927] He's just grabbing a quick breath from what I hear.

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Audioslave – What You Are Lyrics 6 years ago
@[THNDR:29909] Hell yes it is drugs. Withdrawal? Drugs? Get it? Just sayin'. Whatever it means to you is fine but all the pieces fit as an alliteration about drugs in my opinion.

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Audioslave – What You Are Lyrics 6 years ago
@[BBoitwo:29908] Totally agree!

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Audioslave – What You Are Lyrics 6 years ago
I would also add that Morello's twisted, surrealistic and slightly off-key guitar solo literally screams "withdrawal". This is followed by the final verse and chorus indicating a break from addiction and freedom at last. You can't get to that stage of recovery without experiencing the pain of withdrawal so it bolsters my interpretation from my perspective. JMO of course, I respect all other viewpoints.

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Audioslave – What You Are Lyrics 6 years ago
I'm new here and am enjoying the remarks. The scarcity of trolls is a nice change for once.

First, I'd like to say that Audioslave is the most underrated band of all time in my book. Their debut album, from which comes this incredible song, "What You Are", is an absolute masterpiece. I never get tired of listening to it and get much-needed therapy from it when appropriate. Morello's driving lead guitar and Chris' magnificent vocals are fantastic. Love this band!

Like almost any song, whatever it means to YOU is the important thing so there's no right or wrong answers here folks. As far as what Chris was trying to say here and what it clearly means to me is dealing with one's relationship with addiction. To be caught in its clutches so deeply that I become willing to "light myself on fire" and "cut my veins" are seriously graphic metaphors to which any addict, recovering or seriously hooked, can relate. And, of course, the "you'll find another slave" reference is so clear as to define the very essence of addiction.

"And when I've had my fill of you
I'll give you up forever...."

What addict hasn't told himself this??

"Then, a vision came to me
When you came along
I gave you everything but
Then you wanted
MOREEEE!!!"

Guys, if that ain't an addict's lament I don't know what is.

And then, the revelation that he has overcome his addiction (at least temporarily)

"Now I'm free
From what you are
Now I'm free
From what you need
Now I'm free
From what you want"

Plain as the nose on your face to me. Rest in peace, Chris. Wander on and go wherever you want to go.

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