The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies

Uh, prison rape, seriously everyone?

I think this song means exactly what the title says, making enemies. On purpose.

Mike Patton has said so in an interview himself, "People think too hard about my lyrics. I'm just the kind of guy who chooses words because they rhyme, and not because of the meaning."

But I guess some people have a point when it comes to this album being about prison.

To me, this song must be about Jim Martin and the events surrounding his not amicable departure.

I think it's about how Patton likes to rape his groupies.

Personally I think the song is about someone in the Corporate world who hates being in that world and Finally just flips the fuck out.

for anyone used, abused, intolerated, looked down on etc. this song kicks ass especially when you are in one of those i hate everyone moods but it isnt just another crap song about hate, the song is written properly

This is when General Patton is pissed off, particularly he wants to hear no excuses from Layne Staley

i believe this is a song about prison rape. or at least the threat of it. This is a concept album about prison and the person is needing to fight or be raped.

The words are so familiar All the same greats, the same mistakes It doesn't have to be like this

Just like in school when bullies pick on the weaker kids the tougher inmates pick on the weaker one. hence the lyric so familiar same greats same mistakes. he believe the only reason its like this is because people make it that way.

If you don't make a friend now One might make you, so learn The gentle art of making enemies

if you dont have a friend to back you up in a fight then some horny inmate will "make you his friend." so lear how to fight and stand up your for you self. or in other words learn "the gentle art of making enemies."

Don't you look so surprised Happy birthday... fucker You blow that candle out, We're gonna kick you, kick you

this is the bullies of the prison saying dont be surprised that we want to hurt you for no reason. thats just what we do. happy birthday were gonna kick you is kinda like saying welcome to prison were gonna beat the shit out of you,.

Don't say you're not because you are Don't say you're not because you are History tells us that you are History tells us that you are

I believe the victim is trying to say he is tough and not a coward but they know better. all the new guys who have never been to prison and that are like him are afraid. hence the lyrics history tells us you are.

And all you need is just one more excuse You put up one hell of a fight You put up one hell of a fight I wanna hear your very best excuse I never felt this much alive I never felt this much alive

all they need is just any old random excuse to fight. and he is saying they put up one hell of a fight. but being this afraid all the time and having to watch your back constanly and fight for survival every minute of prison makes him feel more alive than he ever has before.

Your day has finally come So where the hat and do the dance And let the suit keep wearing you

i think he is made they beat him up so he says they will die or be bullied eventually so just keep playing the roll of the bully and let that stereo typical role decide how you should act. hence "do that dance and let the suit keep wearing you."

This year you'll sit and take it And you will like it It's the gentle art of making enemies

Now i believe he is being raped. and the rapist is speaking and displaying his ability to implement the gentle art of making enemies.

I deserve a reward 'Cause I'm the best fuck that you ever had And if I tighten up my hole You may never see the light again

the rapist is still talking. saying the victim should thank him. and that he could have made it worse. and the victim could have died and never would have seen the light again.

There's always an easy way out There's always an easy way out You need something wet in your mouth You need something wet in your mouth

the rapist is saying you can just take it and let it happen. that is the easy way out. and then expressing his desire to rape again with the lyric you need something wet in your mouth.

And all you need is just one more excuse You put up one hell of a fight You put up one hell of a fight I wanna hear your very best excuse I never felt this much alive I never felt this much alive

I never felt, never felt this much alive...

he is fighting for survival and putting up a fight and trying to stay alive and rape free but regardless he feels more alive than he ever has before.

This song is about never learning from your mistakes, and highlights the absurdity of being committed, as some people are, to blaming everything except themselves for their problems - "So wear the hat and do the dance, and let the suit keep wearing you". Specifically, wanting to make friends but instead repeatedly making enemies and then making things worse, instead of breaking bread. Ironically, this all comes of feeling insecure and defensive about being judged and made an enemy of, prompting one to 'pre-emptively' strike first, in the process making another enemy, thus self-sabotaging and being an enemy to yourself, instead of looking out for yourself. It's never been about the enemies, unless, that is, you have come to the conclusion that your only consistent enemy has been you. You couldn't break bread with yourself you. You deny that part of yourself and allow it to punish/fuck you. And repeat. You were probably (or will be) the last person to see it.

[Edit: Alteration. ]

Check out the book by artist James Whistler entitled "The Gentle Art of Making Enemies"

The line happy birthday fucker just sums things up so well. I write it on all my cards