In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I turn on the TV, and what do I see?
Murder, and violence, and pornography.
I turn on the radio, and it brings me to tears.
All of the lies fed to the ears.
A Hollywood puppet you are.
If you can be sleazy you'll be a star.
You're the devil's puppet hanging on a string.
Dear Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.
You say God is dead and we're all going to Hell.
Well I got something to say. He's alive today,
And he loves you so, and he wants you to know
You're killing the kids. They're following you.
You're feeding them lies. Cuz that's what you do.
You're the devil's puppet hanging on a string.
Go to L.A. Go to New York City.
Hearts have grown cold, oh what a pity.
Sex without love and self-respect gone.
Drink yourself to death and party till dawn.
You say I'm fanatical 'cause I try to live right.
Pleasing to God, Holy in His sight.
Well I know someone that you don't know.
His name is Jesus and He loves you so.
And He wants you to know.
People today are looking for something
To chase away that empty nothing.
They don't want God, they push Him away.
They say they'll find him some other day.
So they look to drugs, they look to a psychic,
Looking for something, but they'll never find it.
You're the devil's puppet hanging on a string.
Murder, and violence, and pornography.
I turn on the radio, and it brings me to tears.
All of the lies fed to the ears.
A Hollywood puppet you are.
If you can be sleazy you'll be a star.
You're the devil's puppet hanging on a string.
Dear Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.
You say God is dead and we're all going to Hell.
Well I got something to say. He's alive today,
And he loves you so, and he wants you to know
You're killing the kids. They're following you.
You're feeding them lies. Cuz that's what you do.
You're the devil's puppet hanging on a string.
Go to L.A. Go to New York City.
Hearts have grown cold, oh what a pity.
Sex without love and self-respect gone.
Drink yourself to death and party till dawn.
You say I'm fanatical 'cause I try to live right.
Pleasing to God, Holy in His sight.
Well I know someone that you don't know.
His name is Jesus and He loves you so.
And He wants you to know.
People today are looking for something
To chase away that empty nothing.
They don't want God, they push Him away.
They say they'll find him some other day.
So they look to drugs, they look to a psychic,
Looking for something, but they'll never find it.
You're the devil's puppet hanging on a string.
Lyrics submitted by krynge
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The world isn't exactly in great shape, I'll give them that, but that is hardly Reznor's fault now is it? Lay off the man, will you? This song is nothing more than some band that can't stand differing opinions taking a shot at a very talented artist. Reznor's religious beliefs- or lackthereof- reflect in some of his music, yes, but not in all of it, and if you choose to ignore that talent simply because he has views different from your own, you're being foolish. Music is music, and that is good music you're ignoring all because you can't play well with others. Didn't your mother raise you better than that? He's not recruiting people for the devil or anything, he's just expressing his own experiences. He's being honest- how many of you believers have never doubted God, even for a second? I thought so. If you can't stand something that differs from your own belief without raising a funk, then yes, you are in fact a fanatic.
To be quite honest, I'd actually rather be in Hell with Trent Reznor than stuck in Heaven with people like this.
Now, that said- there are sheep on every side of the fence. Despite how it may sound here, I don't have a problem with religious people...until they start poking their noses into business that doesn't belong to them and riding around on high horses. You know? I don't approve of people that are fanatical anything, really, be it christian, pagan, satanist, athiest, what have you. If your beliefs hinder or hurt others, I think you've got a seat behind a flatulent demon reserved just for you in that Hell you all are so afraid of. I don't care for people trying to make others conform, but I have no problem with religion if it gives people a reason to be a better person...however, if you think thumping a bible and telling people they're doomed to burn for all eternity makes you a better person, boy do we ever disagree. Get your head checked.
Anyway, now I'm done with this rant.