An American Religion (FSF)

I think this song is about not conforming to what everyone wants you to do. People are pulling strings(paying for bullets to shoot at your feet") to get you to do what your "supposed to do" but do what makes you happy because sometimes following the safe road doesnt mean you'll be OK "I knew a lot of talented kids who got lost in painkillers and turned into nothing."

Overall I feel like this song criticizes American millitary and the ignorance and perceptions of citizens.

"I can see the gallows all lit up in neon just waiting for me. The limelight started burning" He uses juxtaposition comparing death with bright neon lights, inviting him in, and lights on stage at a concert.

"They're all paying for bullets to shoot at my feet. Does that make you happy?" Complete satire of the military. Americans are shedding out money to the government and the government is spending it on the military. Everyone at home is supporting the military and are so proud of the soilders they know who are fighting for America. However, the siolders are experiencing terrible times and seeing that this isn't a fun game and they are killing innocent people. If you get shot you get to go to the hospital and possibly go home (or always do, idk), so soilders would shoot their feet or have a friend do it for them because it wouldn't be fatal but would get them out of the war. So pretty much, america is happy to be fighting but in reality is paying for the bullets that soilders shoot at their feet to get out of the misery of war.

"Truman will always be remembered for dropping the bomb. I'll always be remembered for my fuck ups but I'm still living in Richie's basement. I'm still sitting at the coffee shop with Ken. We still talk about nothing. I still feel like the same person I've been." People think he's worth nothing because he still lives with friends and dosent have anything important to say (ha). And how people just remember what you did wrong. Truman did lots of things but everyone will think he's a villian for dropping the atomic bombs even though I'd like to see them think of a better solution with the knoledge he did.

"I knew a lot of talented kids who got lost in painkillers and turned into nothing. Sometimes I can still feel it pulling but I just can't let that happen." Some people have so much potential but get lose in the wrong crowd and end up bums, because it's so much easier than working hard and doing something with your life. He feels the temptation to just stop trying but he won't let himself do so.