| Pantera – I'm Broken Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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I see a lot of quality opinions here, but to me, overusedchewtoy has presented the most sound and conscience examination. To establish my own ethos for commenting on this, let me just say I am a Pantera-phile. I own every album (including Power Metal) and I listen to Pantera every day with passion and appreciation. Dime has had a huge influence in my praxis of playing guitar. In pace requiescat to anyone who would challenge my "Pantegrity." From all that I have read, the only thing I might claim to "know", is that the riff to this song (along with many of Pantera's) was created when Dime started jamming during a sound check with Vinnie and Rex. Everything I have read and heard is simply speculation to the literal meaning of the lyrics in this song. As for the idea this song is about AIDS; I can see where the lyrics might paint that portrait and I won't argue that it isn't possible, I just think it would be very uncharacteristic of Pantera considering the majority of their songs were written in direct correlation to members own existential experiences. Furthermore, any real fan knows they were against empty commercial trends and the ideology of pop-culture; their music was far more personal, not like the "cosmopolitan" messages of Bono from U2 (nothing against the band) who would get more satisfaction in pleasing the many (not that there is anything truly wrong with that), but with Pantera, what you saw is what you got and they always spoke the truth. Bearing that in mind, what I hear in the lyrics is a personal message from Phil. This song was written during a time he was fighting a heroin addiction and it sounds like he is conveying that feeling of being "broken", which he has also cognized to be "inherently" related to his alcoholic father and engendered from the physical abuse he endured in his childhood. This has all guided him feelings of being overwhelmed, angry, frustrated, and bitter in mind with his dilapidated condition. All together, this just garnered an abysmal attitude toward his wellbeing. I think this song, as well as most of the album, speaks to anyone who is deeply unhappy or unsatisfied and struggling with their human conscience. Anyone feeling this way can empathize with the song. Listen to the song "25 Years" on this same album: Far Beyond Driven. It's intense both lyrically and instrumentally, not to mention it is just an awesome song that breaks down with a killer riff at 4:38. But hey, this is just my opinion and I don't know anything. |
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