Halo

I just read an old interview with Steve Wilson on a german music website. Asked about this song he says this (translation by me, annotations in brackets):

Question: It says "God is in my fingers god is in my head" on a track from your new album. Delusions of grandeur?

Answer: This is from "Halo", which is one of the songs that I've written throughout the last years and that centers around forms of organized religion. I am not a big fan of organized religion. In this special case, the text speaks(?) from the perspective of a person who is self-righteous concerning his religion. The king of guy, who tries to tell you that his life is better, because of his faith founding some kind of superiority you do not have. (i am not sure if this is translated accurate. he said that the person believes their faith founds superiority) One of my former friends converted to the Reborn Christians. It is difficult to keep up a friendship with these people after they passed over into "another world". They start to patronize you, because they belive to have something you do not: faith, knowledge...

Question: The answer to everything?

Answer: Yeah, exactly. I always perceived that as insulting, but it happened to me and my friend and thus inspired "Halo". Whenever i had to deal with him, he acted as if he walked a halo. (difficult to translate: the german interview makes a wordplay with "walk a dog") He made me feel as if i wasn't on the same level as he was. He was full of that conviction. (i am really uncertain about this - literally it says: "he was infused with this conviction/belief")

If anyone speaks german or wants to try babelfish or something like this, here is the link: http://www.laut.de/vorlaut/interviews/2005/03/04/11660/index.htm

I agree that this song might be about people who feel superior because of their religion. But I also heard that this song is about radical muslims who believe that they have to do crazy things like suicide bombings to be a good follower, and that they feel powerful in doing so.

It's about stupid people that think relighion is everything and feel superior to 'normal' people.

its just as much about fundamentalist christians too, not just muslims.

but moreso about peoples religous ego complex... holier-than-thou syndrome (which fundamentalist muslims and christians would be a part of

I really like the line "With God in a hole you're a righteous soul" - like people who use "God" to justify their actions - "God in a hole". Then of course the ego complex "I'm gaining in heigh now." Pretty straight forward, though it carries much depth.

I'm gonna do you a favor, K? I got this song and it got me. Gotte in Himmel das is gut. And you will benefit from it so +1 for me, bitte.

"God is in my fingers... God is in my head...God is in the trigger...God is in the lead." My touch, my thoughts, my choices, my aftermath: it is all holy. The Highest (aka "His Highness) lives within me and everything about me. I have transcended. All else (including the words of the next verse) are mechanical, robot-like, lifeless compared to miracle evolving in me, going from creature to co-Creator.

"God is freedom. God is truth. God is power. God is proof" How trite. Could it be that proof precludes your belief. Even know you doubt the words that I write. It is a masquerade you think. He is not really that crazy.

"God is fashion...God is fame...God gives meaning...God gives pain." As long as we are going over the fundamentals, of course materialism, and the seeking itself, and the strife are part of God's plan. He looks down upon those who need his wisdom and he dispenses meaning or pain as he sees fit. When will you learn?

"You can be right like me ....We've got it all... Your righteous soul" Transformation complete, I took the show on the road. Believers were readily available, easy to gather, and ripe for the plucking. Who would NOT want to be part of My Wonderful Plan.

"I've got a halo 'round me... I've got a halo 'round me" The avatar of a role-playing game fits me just as well as the beatific painting of light and joy saints experience in my presence. I am the ultimate televangelist. My followers are protection, I am not just a part of the ~inner circle~ I am the center of the circle. I can do no wrong.

"I'm not the same as you ...Cause I've seen the light.... And I'm gaining in height now" A new age dawned at my birth. Not only has higher purpose infused me and all that is of me and near me, but it only gets better from here on out. Heaven is our destination.

" I've got a halo 'round me... I've got a halo 'round me....I've got a halo 'round my head" Now you see that even a halo is a limitation. It is around my head but I have grown beyond it. Now the decisions I make are beyond question, not even subject to (or available to) those who follow me, nor Especially! those who do not believe. Dogma is from God, not the other way around. Likewise, if my faith and stature says to do away with those <pagans/infidels> who are like ants in my sight.

"God is on the cell phone. God is on the net" I can manipulate reality. I am calling you. I am texting you; you may not know my identity. I could be far away or next door. Look for me on the net. Are you anonymous like me? Are you even the slightest bit powerful compared to me??

"God is in the warning. God is in the threat" I can be good and prepare you for disaster. Or you might see me as malicious and a source of impending doom. Are you on my side?

"God is freedom. God is truth. God is power. God is proof. I am aloof.

"God is fashion. God is fame. God gives meaning. God gives pain" If you don't understand it without my explanation, then you would not understand it, even WITH my explanation.

"You can be right like me ... {{{ not a sinner but a righteous soul }}}"

I've got a halo 'round me ... I've got a halo 'round me .... I'm not the same as you Cause I've seen the light.... And I'm gaining in height now.... I've got a halo 'round me... I've got a halo 'round me

(Cause I've got a halo) I've got a halo 'round my head... You can be right like me {{{ We're God, and the call, and the righteous soul...}}}

I've got a halo 'round me... I've got a halo 'round me I've got a halo 'round my head..... Cause I've got a halo 'round my head

I always thought it was "with God in THE hole" ie the "hole" in your "soul". Maybe I'm mistaken...

This song always seemed to be from a deranged person's perspective, like a few PT songs. Typical situation where this crazy person believes God is telling him to kill (God is in the trigger, ...the lead. Referring to a gun).

Reminds me of Judith by APC.

This is less offensive than Judith, while still making a point about people using religion to make them feel that they are better than everyone else or validating their wrong actions.