The Package

I just want to say to shadowwiththeeyes that Maynard didn't have an old herion addiction. In an interview on Jan. 23, 2004 on MTV with Kurt Loder he makes this perfectly clear.

"Loder: The album title, Thirteenth Step, seems to be a reference to the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step rehab program."

"Keenan: I don't think the album is specifically for people who are going through recovery, although that metaphor is absolutely present. Many of the songs are sung from the perspectives of recovery: from the perspective of a person who is in denial about a loved one, and from the drug perspective itself — the perspective of a person who is starting to realize that there is an issue, and of a person who is ready to deal with it.

This was a very difficult task for me, because I don't know what [drug addiction] is like. I drew on the experiences of friends who have gone through recovery, and friends who will never go through recovery. Layne Staley, for example, who was an old friend."

He very clearly says that he doesn't "Know what it's like" So I just wanted to clear that up. Also while he says that yes... there are drug addiction overtones to the songs... they can be taken how ever one feels at the time of listening to it, which may have nothing to do with drugs. Just like with all of Maynard's songs, it's all about meaning to the individual rather than taking it at face value or trying to look at his lyrics and ask him what he meant. That's why Maynard never immediately post his lyrics to his songs on toolband.com or the apc webpage. Anyway, I love all the different ideas people have on their take of these songs, btw.