| Tool – Prison Sex Lyrics | 6 years ago |
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Any and all songs, especially by TOOL, can be interpreted in infinite ways based solely on the listener. This song is a prime example of lyrics that initially have a very evident meaning based on what you hear/read and the song title. Taking what we know about TOOL and Maynard's expressive views on organized religion(based on other TOOL/perfect circle songs) we can look at this song in a similar light and find a meaning that has little to do with molestation and rape and much more to do with forced indoctrination especially by Christianity. Taking the first few lines of this song: "It took so long to remember just what happened I was so young and vestal then You know it hurt me But I'm breathing so I guess I'm still alive" This opening could draw parallels to the popular Christian practice of Baptism where an infant in bathed with "holy water" to symbolize purification and admission to the Christian Church when they have no say in the matter. The lyrics: "I've got my hands bound My head down, my eyes closed And my throat wide open" This is a prime example of parallelism between the church and the message trying to be portrayed here. The imagery of these few lines is a perfect picture of someone praying. "hands bound" being a persons hands and fingers laced together. "head down" and "eyes closed" are that of a person in a typical position of one praying with "my throat wide open" being the actual vocalization of praising god. Look at all the lyrics of this incredible song and find the religious meaning yourself, it doesn't take much of a stretch of the imagination to do so. Once these parallels are made the entire meaning of the song changes from a child that is forced into performing sexual acts to a child that is forced into a life of religious servitude that has been passed down from generations before. The song starts in the point of view of the newly indoctrinated child to the point of view of presumably that same child, grown and passing their values onto the next generation with this vicious cycle repeating over and over again. This is seen in the lyrics "my hands bound....your hands bound" "I've become my terror" states the point that this indoctrinated being has become that in which harmed it in the beginning, that in which imbued the cycle from the start, that in which they tried so desperately to avoid becoming. Just my interpretation of this tune. Its one of my favorites and would love to know what people think! |
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