I Am the Antichrist to You

This song pretty closely tracks the common understanding of the war between Lucifer and God, in the Christian tradition, and because of that it's not unreasonable to interpret the 'voice' in this song as being Lucifer himself.

Lucifer - also known as 'the morning star' - was the brightest of angels, and he fell from Heaven into a war with God himself. He, as are other angels, is variously depicted with weaponry. Many of the lyrics support the singer as being this character:

"Lucid lovers me and you" Both God and Lucifer are known for seeing things clearly, and having deep emotional commitment to the world. 

"Three for all the souls below" Literally referring to the human race.

"One day we made them into figurines burned them all with all my favorite things"

This refers to the war in heaven; where all was turned into pieces on a chess board and great destruction was wrecked.

I could go on; almost all the lyrics in this song support the Lucifer/God conflict. But what makes this interesting is that the last line omits the word 'race' in "I fell into your arms race." This turns the interpretation on it's head and rather than being a typically discussion of Lucifer's fight with God, it reveals that this was a struggle full of love. Lucifer's initial disagreement with God has to do with God's not showing love like Lucifer expects. And, in the end, the forgiving God creates a place for Lucifer in the world regardless of his rebellion: Lucifer falls into his arms, despite all else.

And so Christian symbolism aside, this comports to lyrics that have a profound understanding of the human condition: that most conflict arises from love - and the most opposed conflicts (akin to Lucifer and Gods') most definitely arise from love and differing views of what that means. And that despite these conflicts, and despite who wins, in the end they encompass us; when we fall, we fall into their arms. It is inescapable and beautiful and sad and uncomfortable all at the same time, as the tone and words of this song imply.

I think the meaning of the song reflects a duality; complete distorted view of the protagonist (the accused). He/she thought Christ-like showing love and forgiveness, is seen as the antichrist because the accuser does not know love and cannot know love, thus love is seen as a threat. The protagonist (the accused) can love and does love, so much so in fact, that he/she accepts the harsh reality that they can’t be loved by other— \nthey take upon this false antichrist narrative because essentially, he/she is a reflection of the accuser. The accused is fully aware, and though sad, can only accept it because he is unconditional love.

I feel like this song has many interpretations to it. Most of the answers are also clearer in the music video posted by Joyful Noise Recordings.

Who are you? Who am I to you? I am the antichrist to you fallen from the sky with grace into your arms race

At the beginning of the video before the music starts there was a person. Right next to them was another person. He looks around like he is confused about something. Like a memory was taken out of him. In the background, there are trees broken and fallen like a war just happened. There is just one part I'm confused about when he bit his ears. I'm going to assume that he was trying to remember something because after that it zoomed into his eyes with puzzle pieces everywhere. So I'm guessing something big happened before. Generally, Arms race is a military saying when two or more countries or groups compete for superiority. So this is indeed a song between god/devil.

Lucid lovers me and you a deal of matchless value I was always quick to admit defeat empty statements of bones and meat

The protagonist is shown falling from the sky in a hat. Lucid means to see things clearly. This must be the relationship between God and the fallen angel. He says that he was always quick to admit defeat and later empty statements of bones and meat. That means to hold no real value or truth. Also, in the video things are falling from the sky. I see numbers, stairs, and other symbols. It later ends with him back in the forest biting his ear and looking down at a person.

And my heart it shook with fear I'm a coward behind a shield and spear Take this sword and throw it far Let it shine under the morning star

He's saying he's a coward at this part behind a shield and spear. He's not opening himself up and is always on guard. So at this point, I'm guessing the person is not God. This person is caught up in a war between both God and Lucifer and Morning Star is another name for him. I think the person is us mortals who are oblivious of what's happening up there and so the protagonist is hiding behind a shield. In the video what catches my eye is the number 5. This has to hold some sort of meaning. Then it goes back into the chorus, Who are you? Who am I to you? He's asking himself that for the other person to answer. They both have been hiding what they really feel and so he's questioning himself.

In the middle of the chorus, they are on a sea. And the symbols again are falling and they are caught up in a storm. This must mean the fight between Lucifer and his Dad getting in the way.

One for my heart and two for show three tears for all the souls below One day we made them into figurines burned them all with all my favorite things

This part is not in the video but it does prove some of my points. One part of my heart is mine. Two is how I really feel and three tears for the souls below. This means us. One day we made them into figurines. Burned them all with all my favorite things. I'm thinking that it's referring to all of Lucifer's stuff up in heaven.

So back to the video. The instrumental part comes and the person is protecting Lucifer from all of the falling things. The person gets hit with the number 5 and dies. Now, He's said and realizes what happened and it goes back the the chorus like he got his answer hence the Who am you? Who am I to you?

Who are you? Who am I to you? I am the antichrist to you fallen from the sky with grace into your arms race.

At the end, it says that is dedicated to someone Dan Cho. So this is also for a personal reason. So it has some subtext to it.

Maxte7en is quite right. Beautiful song. A tough nut to crack lyrically, however. My interinterpretation is that Antichrist does not mean evil-- for example, a Hitler-like figure-- in this song like the word is typically used.

I think these two lines are key:

I was always quick to admit defeat empty statements of bones and meat

I get the impression to that these lines suggest he is bodilly pleasure and she is spiritual wisdom. She is superior to his physicality and he is "defeat[ed]" by her spirituality. However, in spite of her superiority she needs the physical pleasure that his physicality can afford her and even though he "falls from grace" -- that is, even though what he offers is inferior to her loftier, nobler gift-- "into [her] arms"-- that is, his inferior gift of physicality nevertheless meets a profound need for her though it is not as a profound a need as the need for Christ and spiritual wisdom.

Very subtle and wise comments here. However, my opinion is that a man who penetrates his lover in an act of love and pleasure is just as holy and noble as a priest transubstantiate the Host into the body of Christ in a Eucharistic service. In fact, I would say the lover is even holier and nobler because the need he meets is so much more intense than the need of the worshipper at the Eucharistic mass. I wonder what others will say about this. No bigee if you disagree I just thought I would put this out there.

This song is beautiful. I believe it's about a relationship in which he pulled her in and she fell in love with him, but he couldn't reciprocate so he crushed her.

"Who are you? Who am I to you? I am the antichrist to you fallen from the sky with grace into your arms race"

The "antichrist" reference is because the antichrist is beloved by all people and rises to power only to bring destruction. That is what he is doing to her, leading her on by being in the relationship, only to crush her heart in the end.

"And my heart it shook with fear I'm a coward behind a shield and spear"

He can't reciprocate the love to her because he is afraid, probably from a past tragedy. He's built a wall around his heart and is scared to let anyone in.

nvm i think its abt a destructive relationship

“Who are you? Who am I to you? I am the antichrist to you fallen from the sky with grace into your arms race”

The “arms race” is basically the fuel of their fire for fighting. She is constantly arguing with him ‘cause she’s upset over something he did or didn’t do. Shes building her arms/weapons because of him.

“Lucid lovers me and you a deal of matchless value I was always quick to admit defeat empty statements of bones and meat”

Their love is empty, yet somehow they are a good match. Basically their experience together has lead, what could have been a good relationship, to turn into ashes, despite having so much in common. He admits defeat because he doesn’t want to fight anymore. He says what he can to make her feel better and/or shut up.

“And my heart it shook with fear I'm a coward behind a shield and spear Take this sword and throw it far Let it shine under the morning star”

He’s a coward because he never told her the truth and never told her how he felt. He just sat down and took the beatings. She disarmed him, basically. “Let it shine under the morning star” says to me that a new morning is coming.

“One for my heart and two for show three tears for all the souls below

One day we made them into figurines burned them all with all my favorite things”

This is the only part I’m confused by a bit. I took it as he really loved the girl that he’s in the relationship with, but he gave up on her and left. Finding other women didn’t please him, though. He was still in love with her. He burned (or got rid of) all the things that reminded him of her (photos, etc).

“Who are you? Who am I to you? I am the antichrist to you“

A lot of people who go through failed relationships view the other person as a horrible being. Usually that’s all they see while in the relationship. She’s making him out to be something he’s not, but he doesn’t know how to portray himself differently ‘cause he doesn’t have the courage.

I've always seen this song as a dialogue between two people who love each other but can't be together for whatever reason, because it would be destructive. Makes sense in my head.

Hi all, I have an interprétation that I did not see anywhere... I bélière the sont to be about the relationship between the USA and the atomic bomb. It would explained the arms race, also the "Quick to admit defeat" refering to the usa using this pretext to drop the A bomb on japan. Also the "deal of matchless values" because it (the bomb) kinda goes against american values to see people as being created égal. They used it mainly as à démonstration of force towards the USSR "one for my heart, two for show" cause they dropped 2 of them.

They are other références in the song (or at least things that could be interpreted as references), anybody sees it too or is it just me ?

BEAUTIFUL song, very poetic. I'm surprised that mine is the first comment.

Maxte7en is quite right. Beautiful song. A tough nut to crack lyrically, however. My interinterpretation is that Antichrist does not mean evil-- for example, a Hitler-like figure-- in this song like the word is typically used.

I think these two lines are key:

I was always quick to admit defeat empty statements of bones and meat

I get the impression to that these lines suggest he is bodilly pleasure and she is spiritual wisdom. She is superior to his physicality and he is "defeat[ed]" by her spirituality. However, in spite of her superiority she needs the physical pleasure that his physicality can afford her and even though he "falls from grace" -- that is, even though what he offers is inferior to her loftier, nobler gift-- "into [her] arms"-- that is, his inferior gift of physicality nevertheless meets a profound need for her though it is not as a profound a need as the need for Christ and spiritual wisdom.

Very subtle and wise comments here. However, my opinion is that a man who penetrates his lover in an act of love and pleasure is just as holy and noble as a priest transubstantiate the Host into the body of Christ in a Eucharistic service. In fact, I would say the lover is even holier and nobler because the need he meets is so much more intense than the need of the worshipper at the Eucharistic mass. I wonder what others will say about this. No bigee if you disagree I just thought I would put this out there.