Beyond Electric Dreams

"Or maybe a theophany of flaming creosote in disguise" Refence to moses.

"The conversation of impassive planets intercepted by a human being" Conversation impassive planets maybe an underlying mind field or god.

"Of a superhuman immensity in a patch of sand Or a raptors guileless shivering intensity I'm only a visitor, And atom of atoms on a jutting red splattered synagogue of granite" One indvdual maybe figure out how miniscule human really are in the scheme of things.

I think the whole song is about individuals that are trying to understand the universe, and maybe some have different theories, but at least they are trying.

This song is like PALE BLUE DOT, in song form.

This one obviously written by Brett, since it's so hard for most people to understand. He says this about it in an interview:

"Most of my themes were political on the new record, but the song “Beyond Electric Dreams” isn’t about religion, but about spirituality. It’s about finding hope and a basis for a moral code in nature; not needing to seek that through some kind of transcendental channel."

This is basically a good summary of the best song on BR's new record. "Where the Raptor goes" could mean extinction, but, it could also play upon the previous passage of a "raptor, guileless shivering intensity".  

Besides the confusing, cosmic associations of the lyrics, this song reminds mostly of existential philosophy and Indian Buddhism. Herman Hesse is known for comparing these kinds of philosophies and spirtual observations with "geometric shapes, lines, music, and magic of the imagination" 

This song also implies that the only way to find spiritual fullfillment is by rupdiating human flaws, or the overall "Maya" of the world. This song is Bretts take on Eastern philosophy (and existentialism).

I find it unlikely that Bret wrote this alone. While the obscure lyrics are very much his style the use of so many large/obscure words is not at all common for him.

I agree with xvpatchvx that this song is a more emotional than political or social commentary. Though I am not sure about "Indian Buddhism". It seems to me that this song brings a sense of insignificance and even a bit of hopeless-ness.

When talking about wether or not you get your morals from a godly manifectation or logical thinking it goes to say that none of it helps much. "The air is thin, the future dim, dimension hard to find "

The second to last verse is (IMHO) obviously about a person's insignificance and the wonder the world inspires. (I am almost positive the "raptor" in question here is not the 3 foot tall dinosaur but the more modern kind. Say, a hawk or an eagle)

The last verse is about just stepping back, wiping the slate of human expectation and start over looking for "a probity by which to abide"

I had never thought about this song in terms of spirituality, but that makes sense. I had always it was about the sense of majesty and wonderment you get when stargazing.

A few comments: "No one here can show you where it is but I can point to a sign" - Almost obviously, it refers to when stars were used for navigation. I suppose it also is about more Eastern ideas of spirituality, where no one person or one thing can tell you the path to enlightenment, only guide you. "The conversation of impassive planets intercepted by a human being" The way planets move (gravity) can tell us where satellites, other planets, or stars are. "The air is thin / up on a mountain" might also refer to where observatories are located (high, where the air is thin), and possibly where those raptors (the birds) are. The second-to-last stanza is great - It's very vivid, and while it uses complex language, does not sound haughty or self-important (which is kind of true of all Bad Religion's songs - Maybe it's Greg's delivery, but they use big words not just to sound smart).

Eh, the only part I ever even tried to understand was the chorus (I thought the rest was sort of a confusion thing going on). I got the idea that the song WAS about religion, but not smiting it down, just saying that it's more about some old guy on top of a mountain communicating with the divine. But the 'vastness' of the confusion ploy also works with xvpatchvx's (not to mention Brett's) explanation of the song. I'm glad I finally know what I'm singing to :) .

there should be lightyears worth of comments. this song is life and death. the inhale that makes the exhale worthwhile. this day is so much more more than yesterday.

♥

There should be.

"Or maybe a theophany of flaming creosote in disguise" Refence to moses.

"The conversation of impassive planets intercepted by a human being" Conversation impassive planets maybe an underlying mind field or god.

"Of a superhuman immensity in a patch of sand Or a raptors guileless shivering intensity I'm only a visitor, And atom of atoms on a jutting red splattered synagogue of granite" One indvdual maybe figure out how miniscule human really are in the scheme of things.

I think the whole song is about individuals that are trying to understand the universe, and maybe some have different theories, but at least they are trying.

ha. I just read PALE BLUE DOT last week. Carl Sagan's explanations are so clear, and understandable.