Great way to start an album, and introduce you to the amazing Chevelle. The Instrumental track "Open" followed by this with the line "It seems I've gained the world but have nothing" Fucking epic..
there's this idea of outer riches and inner poverty, or as Jesus put it "gain the world and lose your soul" (well it seems i've gained the world but have nothing). I'm not here to start a debate about them being a Christian band or whatever, but I think they do have some very spiritual messages. humanity needs to end its materialism and greed, and reconnect with nature and each other (we need healing aloe plant, your soothing hands run down my back) - only then will we be free.
really like this
really like this
The song IS about spirituality. The concept of magnifying pain and paying for the whole sum is relevant in many religions (eye for an eye). Magnifying pain is the guilt brought on by religion, most likely Christianity.
The healing aloe plant and soothing hands refer to the healing earth and the soothing power of the hands of women and men.
The loss is a loss of faith, and he says to keep tabs upon it isn't wasted time. Gaining the world and having nothing conveys a sense of knowing the world is simply the world, yet the emptiness left from a loss of faith is damaging.
Rebuking refers to rebuking religion, probably Christianity, which is then referred to as a twisted dream. Magnifying pain is point #1 in many religions, because guilt and fear are two of the strongest tools used to lead individuals to do the bidding of others.
Hope that clears everything up.
@othello3713 It seems extremely unlikely the song is about how bad religion or Christianity is. At the time the band was signed they were actually on a Christian label (Squint). Over time, yes the band did depart from their roots but it took quite a bit of time for most Christian rock stations to stop playing the new stuff. Most Christian stations still play Point #1 as well as some of the other albums. So - no....the first comment on here by Othello isn't even close.
@othello3713 It seems extremely unlikely the song is about how bad religion or Christianity is. At the time the band was signed they were actually on a Christian label (Squint). Over time, yes the band did depart from their roots but it took quite a bit of time for most Christian rock stations to stop playing the new stuff. Most Christian stations still play Point #1 as well as some of the other albums. So - no....the first comment on here by Othello isn't even close.
@othello3713 I think you are onto something here that it has to do with Faith (likely Christianity). @jess101544 that they were signed by a Christian label at the time backs it up.
@othello3713 I think you are onto something here that it has to do with Faith (likely Christianity). @jess101544 that they were signed by a Christian label at the time backs it up.
I cannot interpret the whole song, but I think I have something relevant worth sharing: "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" - Mark 8:36
I cannot interpret the whole song, but I think I have something relevant worth sharing: "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" - Mark 8:36
When he says, "It seems I've gained the world but have nothing," I think he could possibly be referencing the above verse, which means "nothing" is referring to forfeiture of his soul....
When he says, "It seems I've gained the world but have nothing," I think he could possibly be referencing the above verse, which means "nothing" is referring to forfeiture of his soul.
Carrying it further, this could mean "Rebuke, don't choke on this twisted dream" is referring from a departure from the faith, as you mentioned, into the mainstream. The fame they achieved without sticking to their Christian roots is the "twisted dream".
my 2c.
For me this song is defiantly about bankers, and debt and how basically people are fucked.
I view it as pushing towards a revolution with uncertainty as to the violence/peace ratio required.
'It seems I've gained the world, but have nothing' Humans have inherited the whole planet, but normal people don't own shit and are forced to rent themselves out to the few that own it. Or could be from the point of view of those who do own the whole world, who still have nothing cause all they do is cause suffering, hide in shadows, and get despised by anyone that pays enough attention to notice and then they die like the rest of us.
More likely the form as it maintains a consistent point of view, I just kinda like the latter.
'To keep tabs upon this loss, isn't wasted time' It may seem fucking hopeless cause they're so fucking ridiculously powerful right now, but its still worth it... maybe someday
'Face opportunities to recognize now we have the time' We CAN do something, we have some free time now, slavery's chains are as loose as they've been, our capacity for awareness is unprecedented, So long as you can see them you can cast them off, the universe as given no indication that the period of dying for freedom has ended,
'Rebuke' -verb: to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand. 'don't choke on this twisted dream' Yup this place (the world) is pretty fucked, don't let it make you give up, keep going, fight as hard as you can, survive.
'Pay for the, whole sum' is debt, the whole fucking global economy is debt driven. In theory the hundreds of trillions of dollars worth of debt presently maintained are supposed to be paid off, riiight.
Point number one is so long as I've got unimaginable sums of money (think trillions) fuck everyone else. Wage a war on anyone that might challenge my right to it. This policy magnifies pain.
'We need a healing aloe plant Your soothing hands Run down my back' Hope. A wish for evolution to occur peaceably, like maybe if we just promise to hold the bankers and get them laid maybe they'll agree to stop being evil without us having to get together and impolitely ask them to leave the planet, same routine this time with nukes, we'll see how it goes (for any bankers reading this I suggest you strongly consider the being loved, held and getting laid while renouncing evil offer)
'Hate - Well couldn’t do, couldn’t do no wrong Hate - Do... this could do you in' Maybe they won't agree, maybe they think they're God and they're gonna awaken the hate of the conscious universe (Think 'Wrath of God' only meant to express meaning). The Wrath of God tends to do those who incur it in.
I agree with chino definitely a spiritual song aimed towards those with a greater than normal sense of awareness, but also I think trying to make aware someone who may not be, it's definitely intentionally cryptic, it begs you to try and figure out what it could mean, what is is you may lack that prevents it from having obvious meaning. In case anyone was having trouble seeing how the devil manifests itself in this world I tried to make it as explicit as possible.
Thanks to anyone that read this far, Hope it was worth it.
good shit
good shit
These guys have a real talented sound to them, the vocals are amazing and they have a unique feel to them. If you liked Mia or Point #1... you'll love the new stuff coming up. Look for Wonder What's Next, their upcoming CD. It's amazing.
i love how none of these comments have nothing to do with the meaning of the song
So do i, if i wanted lyrics, i would goto Azlyrics, if i want mindless blather about how people "love this song" or how "this song is awesome!" i would go talk to my idiot friends. oh well, now i remeber why i stopped coming here.
Greed? maybe...
what does the song mean? what do you guys thing?
The beauty of this song is that its meaning can be interpreted so many ways.It could be about trying to achieve a status as a successful rock band, but its damn near impossible, hence the "dont choke on this twisted dream." When Pete says "then he'll say pay for it, the whole sum, to magnify pain is point #1" he could honestly be talking about anything. I cant get a clear definition for myself, even after years of watching the video and listening to the song. Check the video out and see what you think its all about.