By The Grace Of God

This seems to be a song about the seedy side of the modelling/glamour industry (or even porn) That there are so many people willing to buy into it despite it's negatives. And all this goes on while a higher power (be it government or if you want to take the religious angle, God) tuns a blind eye and allows it to go on. But we might one day see the consequences...

"You've got the looks, and the glamour, Cut by the chisel and beat by the hammer."

• Here you have the model/performer. These days probably enhanced by plastic surgery, maybe implants etc.

"They're naive so they'll believe it, and they will act like dogs when they recieve it."

• Then you have those who buy into it. They don't care if it is a false representation of sex, love, the human body, they will still lap it up.

"a straight and narrow fall from grace."

• A simple move from innocence to something sordid. The girl is corrupted by what she is a part of.

"They need, they yearn, they lust with cheeks unturned. Hands shake and heads will nod"

• The lust of people who buy into it and don't care about the consequences. They aren't thinking about what they are encouraging or fuelling because the desire for what they see has taken over.

"they get by by the grace of God."

• All this is seems to be allowed to happen, even if it is wrong. This suggests that it might not matter. That God/ or a those making an ethical judgement on the well-being of society or the individual has permitted it, therefore it's alright. But "they get by" suggests more toleration. That the line is close to being crossed.

This is followed neatly with the suggestion that there may be consequences: "Hey boy, you understand say your prayers or you'll be damned."

• Basically those who lust and buy into it may be subject to punishment. I think this does refer more to a religious context of Hell, but it could be judicial.

"He's a watcher, and a voyer, a bystander and destroyer."

• This describes the person buying into it. And that whilst he is simply watching and not taking part. He is in part responsible for the corruption and other evil acts that take place behind the scenes.

"Yeah they get by, by the grace of God. We get by, we get by, by the grace of God."

• Finally this suggests that we are all guilty to some degree. After all we are happy to watch (it seems) whatever the media throws us.

That's the way I see it.

Self explanatory song kinda reminds me of Livin On A Prayer just a tad bit...two people getting by, by the grace of god [livin' on a prayer] catch my drift...