Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
I was not created in the likeness of a fraud
Your hell is something scary, I prefer a loving God
We are not the center of this funny universe
And what is worse, I do not serve in fear of such a curse
Shallow be thy game, 2000 years, look in the mirror
You play the game of shame and tell your people live in fear
A rival to the way you see, the Bible let him be
I'm a threat to your survival and your control company
You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody
To anyone who's listening, you're not born into sin
The guilt they try and give you, puke it in the nearest bin
Missionary madness, sweep up culture with a broom
Trashing ancient ways is par for the course, it's fuckin' rude
To think that you're above the laws of nature, what a joke
Purple sashes, feeding masses, smoke on which to choke
I might be a monkey when it comes to being holy
Fundamental hatred, get down on your knees and
You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody
Oh yeah
I was not created in the likeness of a fraud
Your hell is something scary, I prefer a loving God
We are not the center of this funny universe
And what is worse, I do not serve in fear of such a
You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody
You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody
Your hell is something scary, I prefer a loving God
We are not the center of this funny universe
And what is worse, I do not serve in fear of such a curse
Shallow be thy game, 2000 years, look in the mirror
You play the game of shame and tell your people live in fear
A rival to the way you see, the Bible let him be
I'm a threat to your survival and your control company
You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody
To anyone who's listening, you're not born into sin
The guilt they try and give you, puke it in the nearest bin
Missionary madness, sweep up culture with a broom
Trashing ancient ways is par for the course, it's fuckin' rude
To think that you're above the laws of nature, what a joke
Purple sashes, feeding masses, smoke on which to choke
I might be a monkey when it comes to being holy
Fundamental hatred, get down on your knees and
You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody
Oh yeah
I was not created in the likeness of a fraud
Your hell is something scary, I prefer a loving God
We are not the center of this funny universe
And what is worse, I do not serve in fear of such a
You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody
You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody
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The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
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Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Its all about religion, especially Christianity, but organized religion in general, and how its pretty silly and what they believe (loving god, letting people believe how they like). Thats awesome cause I believe the same stuff, RHCP is amazing.
I think it's more about the leaders of the religion rather than the deities itself. Like the Pope or something similar.
This has got to be one of my favourite "message" songs ever. Great lyrics.
And another thing...people who think RHCP can't write clear, powerful lyrics have obviously not been listening to anything other than the current radioplay. If I hear anyone else say "Anthony writes crap lyrics" I will destroy them.
I'll subscribe to the whole anti-Catholic analysis of this song - the "purple sashes" priests wear, the "smoke on which to choke" being the incense Catholics use at church, and the whole guilt/fear thing they're famous for.
Despite the fact I disagree, that's a good analysis though Jware.
Are RHCP defenders of "The Way"?
This is definitely anti-catholic church. However I think it may actually be powerfully pro Christian! Here is the most interesting part of the song: "A rival to the way you see, The bible let him be" Now, if you listen to the cadence of the song, I interpret it as "A rival to The Way, you see the Bible, Let him be" In the early books of the new testament, they say "The Way" when referring to the message of Christ (see Acts) which is the message of love. I think they mean do not use Jesus (whose message is love) to spread a message of fear!
Shroomin15 is right. It's about religion. I believe in the same thing... in a loving god. great song!
A strong answer to the catholic churches tendency towards arrogance and sometimes even fear of other culture/ways of living.
Christianity can be very oppressive. Clearly Anthony sees it as a way of controlling the masses, rather than enlightening them.
I agree, its a song against the fear and hatred organised religion instills in people, and the way that a scary hell has been used as a punishment when it would be nicer to have a "loving god"
i love this song. i always thought it said "you'll never find me, you'll never find me" but then i sometimes misunderstand the way he sings.
yeah Yeah that's what it's about. There's a lot of songs out there by Christian-bashers. When is someone gonna write a song about how Muslims have been torturing and murdering people for centuries? Until someone does though, this'll do. This song kicks ass.