In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Eye on the TV
'Cause tragedy thrills me
Whatever flavor it happens to be like
Killed by the husband
Drowned by the ocean
Shot by his own son
She used a poison
In his tea
And kissed him goodbye
That's my kind of story
It's no fun until someone dies
Don't look at me like
I am a monster
Frown out your one face
But with the other
Stare like a junkie
Into the TV
Stare like a zombie
While the mother
Holds her child
Watches him die
Hands to the sky crying
"Why, oh why?"
'Cause I need to watch things die
From a distance
Vicariously I live
While the whole world dies
You all need it too, don't lie
Why can't we just admit it?
Why can't we just admit it?
We won't give pause until the blood is flowing
Neither the brave nor bold
Were writers of the stories told
We won't give pause until the blood is flowing
I need to watch things die
From a good safe distance
Vicariously I live while the whole world dies
You all feel the same, so
Why can't we just admit it?
Blood like rain come down
Drum on grave and ground
Part vampire
Part warrior
Carnivore and voyeur
Stare at the transmittal
Sing to the death rattle
La, la, la, la, la, la-la-lie
La, la, la, la, la, la-la-lie
La, la, la, la, la, la-la-lie
La, la, la, la, la, la-la-lie
Credulous at best
Your desire to believe in
Angels in the hearts of men
Pull your head out of your hippie haze
And give a listen
Shouldn't have to say it all again
The universe is hostile, so impersonal
Devour to survive, so it is
So it's always been
We all feed on tragedy
It's like blood to a vampire
Vicariously I
Live while the whole world dies
Much better you than I
'Cause tragedy thrills me
Whatever flavor it happens to be like
Killed by the husband
Drowned by the ocean
Shot by his own son
She used a poison
In his tea
And kissed him goodbye
That's my kind of story
It's no fun until someone dies
Don't look at me like
I am a monster
Frown out your one face
But with the other
Stare like a junkie
Into the TV
Stare like a zombie
While the mother
Holds her child
Watches him die
Hands to the sky crying
"Why, oh why?"
'Cause I need to watch things die
From a distance
Vicariously I live
While the whole world dies
You all need it too, don't lie
Why can't we just admit it?
Why can't we just admit it?
We won't give pause until the blood is flowing
Neither the brave nor bold
Were writers of the stories told
We won't give pause until the blood is flowing
I need to watch things die
From a good safe distance
Vicariously I live while the whole world dies
You all feel the same, so
Why can't we just admit it?
Blood like rain come down
Drum on grave and ground
Part vampire
Part warrior
Carnivore and voyeur
Stare at the transmittal
Sing to the death rattle
La, la, la, la, la, la-la-lie
La, la, la, la, la, la-la-lie
La, la, la, la, la, la-la-lie
La, la, la, la, la, la-la-lie
Credulous at best
Your desire to believe in
Angels in the hearts of men
Pull your head out of your hippie haze
And give a listen
Shouldn't have to say it all again
The universe is hostile, so impersonal
Devour to survive, so it is
So it's always been
We all feed on tragedy
It's like blood to a vampire
Vicariously I
Live while the whole world dies
Much better you than I
Lyrics submitted by DarkAntiCrista, edited by InConSciOUS, xvicariousx
Vicarious Lyrics as written by Daniel Carey Adam Jones
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Maynard is a man who know much about psychology, and I totally agree with him on this one. The civilized mankind today is overprotected. Yet we feel unsafe, and most of all bored. To keep our mind of things we watch television and read the paper to hear the news from this world. What Maynard wants to say is that: WHY IS THE MOST INTERESTING STORIES IN THE NEWS THE SAD AND HORRIBLE ONES? People feel safe when they hear about other peoples deaths. And thet need to hear it. It is something satisfying about it in a non-maschistic way. Don't get me wrong here... we aren't vicous killers. This world is filled with violence. We hate it, but we love to hate it.
Think about it... When you see a newspaper with a big fat title "Stabbed by husband." you don't go like "hm... who cares." You grab it, buy it, read it, and go "I'm glad that wasen't me." og "pfft! what are the odds of that happening to me?" Then you go on with your life with one less worry.
Violence is like pornograhpy for your mind.
I hope you understand. and please don't get for a murderer, or a suicidel dumbnut ;)
BrainNevelle, if you just want to hear Maynard sing without the other 3 members then you aren't a Tool fan. Tool is one of if not the best band out there because of all it's members. Danny Carey may be the best drummer ever, and without his complex and powerful polyrythms Tool and Maynard would have no backbone to their songs. Same goes for the gripping and thundering guitar riffs and baselines by Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor. You have no right to call anyone a fake fan.. if people are true fans, they listen to the whole band. Not just Maynard, don't get me wrong, I still think he is a god, but you have to get the whole picture. If Maynard wanted himself to be more prominent he would have done so. You probably have no appreciation for songs like Reflection on Lateralus.
@aefong44 Reflection and Lateralus are great songs. Maynard's vocals are really good... Why wouldn't BrainNevelle like those songs? I didn't read his comment... but I got the feeling that he's basically just a Maynard fan.
@stonekirby If this is your response then you have completely missed the point of Reflection. Or in the least, you certainly don’t live by its meaning. Leggo the ego there bud
This is more down to earth than usual from Maynard. It hits hard because it is not about hidden meanings. At first, the lack of mystery is almost disappointing for a die-hard. But the song itself is devastating and true tool. The meaning, as I see it: we consume information about the world's tragedies like vultures because, in part, it satisfies a need of ours. Why can't we just admit it? Because this vicariousness is horribly shameful. So we (la, la, la) lie about it. Maynard tells us to accept the truth, though, he really doesn't need or want to 'say it all again'. This is a song about a human need that Maynard thinks is timeless ('so it is, so it's always been'): living vicariously off other people's tragedy. He does not hope for change, he demands recognition of this ailment. Because maybe we really should be ashamed.
I am doing a college report on the matter that Humans as a speices feed off other peoples tragedy, and Why we would turn on the television just to see it when anyother day we wouldn't bother turning it on. Media sales sky rocket with headlines like" 100 dead in plane crach" more than ever. I want to understand this. Is there any book, Abstract or anyother paper that i could find anything about this " Condition" we all seem to have that no one wants to admit their thrill for?? <br /> <br /> Email me at <br /> mcctho36@pct.edu<br /> or<br /> tetnus76@hotmail.com<br /> <br /> Thank you.
Why would we be Ashamed? Where is that getting us... <br /> Build up to power yourself through your life. Make a difference...Let's turn our eye away from the T.V. and toward the realities of our future life on Earth.
@Davezs, you just made yourself part of the song. You're part of the problem.<br /> <br /> "Credulous at best, your desire to believe in angels in the hearts of men.<br /> Pull your head on out your hippy haze and give a listen."<br /> <br /> lmao. Irony.
I don't think there's anything shameful about being fascinated by violence/death/evil. I can't speak for other living things, but we as humans are conscious of our own mortality. Our curiosity seeks to understand it, while our instinct for self-preservation fears it. Since we can't explore it personally and survive to understand it, we can only examine death through the deaths of other people. The same with violence and cruelty. Most of us don't care to experience it first hand, so the only way to learn about it is vicariously. We are fascinated out of fear... "Neither the brave nor bold were writers of the stories told"... what would I do if this happened to me? It can also provide a way to empathize with others and see that we all share the same fears. It seems the shameful thing is that the media has capitalized on this basic need within us and turned it into a way to profit. That's why there is so much violence in movies, tv shows, music, books, etc... The problem seems to be desensitization due to overexposure to it. Just look at the news! And in a way we find pleasure in the desensitization, because it numbs us from the fear. Like "junkies staring at a screen", the more we watch the more we feel safe in accepting violence and death, because we've already 'experienced' it. It also exposes our lack of desire to do as Davesz mentioned. Most people don't care until it affects their life personally. We naturally prefer to look out for ourselves rather than look out for others, which is part of why there is so much violence. We haven't evolved to a point of communal "hippy" thinking, and perhaps it's counter-intuitive to our nature. That's what I get out of it anyway! I'm sure there's more, as there are over 400 comments :-)
@lipanconjuring I think the line "so it is, so it's always been" is actually referring more to the concept of eternal return, not just humanity. "The universe is hostile, so impersonal, devour to survive." Everything in the universe is constantly being broken down, from the cells in our bodies to the elements in stars. It has been in a constant state of cycling since its existence, it devours itself, and because we are part of the universe it devours us as well, it's nothing personal. I'm not sure if that's what he was referring to in the song but that's what I got out of the song. Basically, we live in fear of death, we read these events that happen in horror, glued to the screen petrified like "I'm glad that wasn't me" and finding satisfaction in the fact we survive when in reality death is just a part of life and there is nothing to be afraid of.
Regarding what BrainNeville has pointed out, I also agree that vocals in the song are on the background. But this is not something new for Tool at all. There are many examples where Maynard used his voice like an "instrument with words". My examples would be Reflection, You Lied, No Quarter and parts of other songs to.
Interviews have also shown that Tool has aimed to use Maynard's voice like an instrument via effects and tricks. My counter argument is that we have to stop idealizing Maynard which makes us unable to concentrate on the music that these 4 talents make.
This is teamwork and why do we always have to see an idol, a frontman. Maynard is no Kurt Cobain. It's his style. Every single individual in Tool sees that all the other guys have suplendid talents and they like to present the whole picture. I appreciate and agree that Maynard has a extraordinarily divine voice and love listening to him like I'm hearing messeages from above.
However, due to the reason that Maynard is not a frontman in Tool, and should not be, Maynard's voice should not override those of others. And still, I believe there are adequate (although when it comes to Maynard I never get enough) songs to hear him.
I hope this new album will be another chance to hear Maynard's voice both infront of all others and as an instrument by himself. I take it either way.
I think that this song is about the hypocrisies of today's society. How everyone is entertained by death, as along as it doesnt effect them.
@nirvanarox7 Really, you were able to somehow decipher that meaning from this song? lol talk about the most obvious interpretation! There were no secrets in this song, loool.<br /> <br /> Anyway, enjoy life. Hope you find something that makes you content, and happy if possible.
Simple enough, as human beings we watch others to judge our own behaviour in comparison. The problem is that in today's 24 hour media society we've become obsessed with the miniutae of watching others suffer but we can do it "from a safe distance" and no one needs to know how much we enjoy it.TV, newspapers, websites, it's all there, all the gory, nasty detail we could ever want to revel in and with no strings attached! You ask anyone if they enjoyed it and they will all say, "Oooh no! It's disgusting and tragic. I can't understand why.", just admit you enjoyed watching someone else suffer and be thankful it wasn't you!
Brilliant track.
When this album first came out I was listening to Vicarious while driving. I was stuck in traffic behind a taxi that had an advertisement on it for an exhibition called "The Human Body", where various aspects of the body are studied and put on display, like muscle/bone structures, skin fibres, vital organs etc etc. Funnily enough, the photo on the ad was very much like the cover of Lateralus, with the photo of a human being illustrating the layers beneath the skin. What really caught my attention were the words in bold italic underneath the image: "REAL BODIES ON DISPLAY"
This song really made sense to me after I saw that: I could picture people at the exhibition bypassing all the fake plastic skeletons, respiratory system drawings, etc etc, and heading straight for the "real bodies" where they would stand in droves and "stare like zombies" at this dead body on the table.
I could also imagine that people "wouldn't give pause" to even consider going to the exhibition until they learn that real dead bodies are on display. And the fact that the advertisers found it necessary to even mention it on the ad as if that makes the whole experience more "appealing".
But the funny thing is: I am no different. I would have been there front row centre, looking at the dead body. Even though it's wrong, you can't help but look. "Why can't we just admit it?"
We are all "Part vampire, Part warrior. Carnivore and voyeur." We are infatuated at the misfortune and suffering of others. "Like blood to a vampire"
What genius. Thank you Tool.
Anyway, I was late to work that day. But who cares!!!
One last parting thought: Think about all those times you watch TV, or watch a movie, or even watch a motor race and hope for a crash, a murder scene, etc. We are all monsters. We just need to admit it.
Woo, first comment.
Incredible song, I'm pretty sure it's about how we all sit on the couch, hypnotized, watching TV and all the tragedies that are broadcasted that we take pleasure in viewing. Vicarious shows a sarcastic view of this.
I can't wait for the new album to be out!
You would have to be on the edge of leaving the physical world to understand this song. He uses negative emtional associations aimed at seperating the operator from the spectator.
The song isn't about getting up and doing something though, Luca303. It isn't about thinking we're better off than the people we watch on TV.
The song is about how we all love to watch the garbage on TV, even though many refuse to admit. There's no point judging people who relish in it; we can't change. "Your desire to believe in Angels in the hearts of men But pull your head on out..."
The world is dying and there's nothing we can do except sit back, watch, and enjoy from a distance.
These lyrics are not correct, try these ones.... the only thing that might not be 100% is the, "She used a poison, in his tea, and kissed him goodbye" but I know it's not "he used to poison, and in his dreams" or whatever you got up here, another thing, it's, "Credulous, Divest" not "Credulous at best"
Tool - Vicarious
Eye on the T.V. 'cause tragedy thrills me. Whatever flavor it happens to be like.. "Killed by the husband", "Drowned by the ocean", "Shot by his own son", "She used the poison in his tea and kissed him goodbye". That's my kinda story. It's no fun until someone dies.
Don't look at me like I am a monster. Thrown out your one face, But with the other. Stare like a junkie into the T.V.. Stare like a zombie, While the mother holds her child. Watches him die. Pleads to the sky crying: "Why, oh why?"
Cause I need to watch things die... from a distance. Vicariously I live while the whole world dies. You all need it too - don't lie.
Why can't we just admit it? Why can't we just admit?
We won't give pause until the blood is flowing. Neither the brave nor bold, or writers of stories told. We won't give pause until the blood is flowing.
I need to watch things die.. from a good safe distance. Vicariously I live while the whole world dies. You all feel the same so..
Why can't we just admit it?
Blood like rain come down. Drown on grave and ground.
Part vampire. Part warrior. Carnivore and voyeur. Stare at the transmitter. Sing to the death rattle.
Lie (4x)
(Background news headline)
Credulous, divest your desire to believe in Angels in the hearts of men. Pull your head on out. Your head believes it give a listen. Shouldn't have to say it all again. The universe is hostile, So impersonal. Devour to survive, so it is, So it's always been.
We all feed on tragedy. It's like blood to a vampire.
Vicariously, I live while the whole world dies. Much better you than I.