All the latest toughs, you've got to shrug them off or shut them off. With ten-thousand-time-told truths, you've still got to ask for proof. Ask for proof, because if you're dying to be led they'll lead you up the hill in chains to their popular refrains until your slaughter's been arranged, my little lamb, and it's much too late to talk the knife out of their hands.

Well, I woke up on a foggy morning. Hiding from the sun, he was hiding from the sun. But it came out and it shot its rays down. Burning everyone, it was burning everyone. But they were dying, anyway, to turn to ash, to feel their feelings flash and finally fade away, in a fabulous and fiery display.

Look, though, I don't know what notes you want to hear played, I can't think what lines you'd like me to sing or say, and I'm not sure what subjects you want mentioned. So pause and add your own intentions. We've included a form you can print out and fill out and send below:

All the latest toughs, well, we have seen that stuff, and we have seen enough blood in dying coughs, which means that we have lost. We have lost, and if you're crying to be tossed they'll toss you down the oubliette with all the old things that you let yourself forget because you'd like to love a star who'd throw you down below the ground he thinks you are.


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  • +2
    General Comment

    bribook, i agree, but i think your interpretation is too narrow. I don't think it's merely about politicians, but anyone in a position of power, including radio & TV talking heads like Beck, Limbaugh or Schultz that can persuade people to follow a course of action that is in the charismatic leader's self-interest not yours.

    The power can also extend outside the purely political arena to include ultra-charismatic CEOs or Wall Street types hyping their companies or the next bubble, respectively. Could also be an actor or a musician convincing people to get behind a cause they support. Or, more simply, a charismatic friend who can get you to fulfill his will. Or even a boss or teacher or professor.

    I think the broader interpretation is supported by the following lines:

    "I can't think what lines you'd like me to sing or say, Not sure what subjects you want mentioned. So pause and add your own intentions."

    To me the point of these lines is to tell the listener that this charismatic individual will emerge throughout your life in many different forms, in many different areas of your life. He/she will unhesitatingly lead you to act in his narrow interest which is not necessarily aligned with yours and, when and if necessary, he/she will cut you loose in the end -- for example, send you to die in battle (blood in dying coughs), vote for politicians whose agenda is actually opposite your self-interest, get you fired, get you arrested, etc..

    There is something very Nietzschean ("Thus Spoke Zarathustra") about the lyrics, and, yes, Ayn Randian (don't think that's a word :-) )

    Ultimately, it's a cautionary tale to look out for yourself because those entrusted to do so will always put their own interests ahead of yours.

    Danneskjoldon August 04, 2011   Link

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