Needs

To me, this song has always seemed to be about a Priest questioning his role in this world, and ultimately his own faith.

"All around me I see what weakness has made Too much tomorrow I think I'll take all today"

• This to me indicates his despair at the state of the people today

"Am I a poison, Am I a thorn in the side Am I picture perfect subject tonight"

• These are him then questioning what he is to those who come to his church

"I don't need nobody I don't need the weight of words [To find the way] to crash on thru I don't need nobody I just need to learn the depth Or doubt of faith to fall into"

• The chorus is then about his own needs, which are centred on his own faith. Yet even this he's unsure of just how much faith he should let himself fall into

"Here I slumber to awaken my daze I find convenience in this savior I save"

• More suggestions he is a Priest. The Saviour (for example Jesus) he saves (by being a Priest he is trying to grow/maintain/save the world's faith in this Saviour). "Convenience" suggests growing cynicism about why he's chosen this profession

"In this time of substitute It's my needs I've answered to (All the while) And the hope that I invest Still turns to signals of distress (All the while) "

• And finally, his summation is that his one need is, and always has been, his faith, which he has been trying to meet/fuel by being a Priest
• But he continues to despair that despite his best efforts and hopes, the world doesn't improve / gets worse