How About You

this song is about how much you have to struggle to succeed. that's why he sold his soul to get here. it's also about how some people seem to have success handed on them on a silver platter, while others never reach the top

How about you? It's a question of reflection, asking someone about who they are and why. The song is a commentary on how we often forget our motives and don't question ourselves, getting caught up in going through the motions: "And you blindly go through life/ Judging only by its worth." Perhaps this song asks us about our values; whether we have them or whether we actually stick to them, or else we forget the big picture. Also note the Scriptural reference, "The meek inherit Earth," quoting Matthew 5:5. The reason for including this is to encourage us to be humble. I'm sure we've all sacrificed our values for the sake of self-promotion. Yet, Staind also states, "I sold my soul to get here/ How about you?" They've worked very hard over the years to get to where they are, how hard have you pushed yourself to get where you are? If this song were an actual conversation, I'd say he's addressing someone who feels they've had a hard lot in life, yet he thinks they themselves may be to blame because they spend their time complaining about their lot in life, rather than accomplishing anything.

Like the Chorus states, life isn't fair, nor plays fair, we each end up dealing with life ourselves, whatever we've been dealt (our hand), some people start our "more successful" so it seems, and no matter how hard we may work, some of us will never have a portion of what these people have "not everything in life is handed on a plate", and when people believe you it doesn't matter what you really do. Aaron's worked extensively hard to get to where he is, I guess you could call that the "I sold my soul 2 get here" then almost as a personal, direct question to us, asks us "How about you"?

Ha ha saroknight I'm following you around on your comments. I totally agree 100% with you. I couldn't have said it better.

I picture someone talking to a friend of theirs, finally coming up with the guts to tell them their feelings. Only reason I see it as this is because I have a friend I'd just love to tell straight up everything word-for-word on this song. The emotion in this is tremendous. Listening to Staind makes me think so much about the past.

There are people out there that just plain use others. They are so self-involved with their own lives that they don't bother to even notice other's troubles. This is the very thing that makes it hard on these people because when you go out and you see what other people are going through you can realize that maybe your life isn't that bad. But self-absorbed people shut out the outer world, and because of that they miss out on opportunity and other cries for help.

I could never understand that. I have and always will reach out to others. Sure you can argue that to do so is stupid because people will walk all over you. And I've been there. Have felt that pain. Especially from lovers. But the one thing I gain that people can never take away from all this is a peice of mind and a more complete heart. I know who I am. And I'm proud. I hope all you guys and girls out there can feel the same. Peace and love to all of you :)

I agree that it almost seems like a discussion. Something that Aaron is personally saying to someone.

I guess it's sort of like saying, Life isn't easy. We all have to sacrifice. but there's more to life than riches and material belongings.

It seems that he sees a good friend making decisions that he doesn't agree with, and he want's to point it out. Don't be a follower and do things just because everyone else is, don't take advantage of people. But it almost seems as though he doesn't want this person to make the same mistakes he made. "I sold my sould to get here, How bout you?"

easily my favorite song of the CD

Definitely my fav staind song. I think it means that he is looking at a friend or someone and they are acting like they are innocent and have never hurt someone to get something or to get somewhere in life. He is saying hey look i know i stepped on people and hurt people to get here, how bout you? I check on this website every so often to see what other people say and I can't believe only 4 posts for this song. I love this song because it really makes me want to accept my own faults and wrong-doings.

this is my favourite Staind song, all five albums are mint, but this is my favourite one from 14 shades of grey!

I agree with a lot of the above especially how he says he sold his soul to get where he is. One thing I would add are that his friend often does things out of spite not knowing how good they actually have it and don't appreciate what they have. The part about "meek inherit earth" is important because he's saying that he will be gone and his friend will be left behind not knowing what to do.

To clarify "chadvaderdsm1",
"And you blindly go through life, Judging only but it's worth, Just try not to forget, That the meek inherit earth" IS a biblical verse from Psalms 27:11; " But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.." Its referring to how those who are rich in this world, are not necessarily those who will inherit the paradise on earth that the bible speaks of....but rather hte meek of the earth will inherit it. Any further questions, ask me.

Further..the entire song seems in my opinion to also be tying into that scripture. That he knows only the meek will inherit it, and he sold his soul to become rich and famous, and is trying not to forget what he knows to be the truth.