Vital Signs

What I take away from this isn't necessarily about trying not to conform, but rather how our outlooks on conformity in general contributes to our own individuality. That sounds confusing I'm sure, but it does make sense....to me at least. These lyrics posted here aren't dead on, either. He frequently switches between the words deviate, elevate and escalate. I think deviating and elevating/escalating are almost opposites, but that fits in perfect with this song. You could even make the argument that "the norm" doesn't refer to societies' standards but rather whatever would be "the norm" in one's life. To me that means that it's about peoples' tendencies to make decisions and changes based on boredom or restlessness alone.

The chorus seems to sum it up:

A tired mind become a shape shifter, - boredom or apathy leads to a need for change Everybody need a mood lifter, - maybe drugs or some sort of new "routine" Everybody need reverse polarity. - a total opposite swing in attitude or direction Everybody got mixed feelings - we all differ in opinions of which direction is "right" and About the function and the form. that's our only common ground(maybe?) Everybody got to elevate from the norm. - already commented on this above

There really is a lot more to it, and as someone alluded to above; a song can have multiple meanings. Whether it's a conscious effort by the songwriter or not is really inconsequential; people take away different meanings from the same thing.....which also fits in with these lyrics. What a poignant song!