Whitetide is right, Cowboy Dan is a pitiable character but he evokes no sympathy. He's a lifetime ***kup with no hope of changing. While things are beyond his control sometimes he still "Can't get that engine turned over." He wants to change but is too weak to do it so he just pushes the others around him down. The middle section just emphasizes his worthlessness more he never does anything with his life he's just "moving the ground." He never says anything important and thoughtful he's just "movin" his mouth. And he just "looks down" on everyone else. A good statement of the white man's place in history.
@Kendreeke I think your interpretation is very one dimensional.
@Kendreeke I think your interpretation is very one dimensional.
It's just like you're calling someone with depression or PTSD worthless, maybe it's you who's forgetting theyre human?
It's just like you're calling someone with depression or PTSD worthless, maybe it's you who's forgetting theyre human?
The interlude is the most tranquil part of the song. It has a sound of submission and withdrawl, isolation.
The interlude is the most tranquil part of the song. It has a sound of submission and withdrawl, isolation.
If someone doesnt recieve enough oxygen, how can they breathe? If someone doesnt recieve enough love and respect, how can they emotionally develop as a person?
If someone doesnt recieve enough oxygen, how can they breathe? If someone doesnt recieve enough love and respect, how can they emotionally develop as a person?
One kills the body, the other kills the mind.
One kills the body, the other kills the mind.
His problems are simple and clear when he can take a step back, maybe these are moments he realizes...
His problems are simple and clear when he can take a step back, maybe these are moments he realizes that god has already died within himself. Moving the ground implies that one has power, but yet is still walking in place. Moving ones mouth implies a functioning body, yet a hollow body at that. Looking around implies curiosity, yet looking down shows the curiosity isnt seeking any answers.
He has the power, but somewhere along his life all these actions became meaningless. He can walk, but he has nowhere to go. He can talk but he has nothing to say. He can ponder but theres nothing to think about.
Its much easier for someone to hide being abrasive violent behavior/music, than it is to face their real problems.
In some miraculous beatiful break in music, we're able to see who cowboy dan really is, emotions cant last forever.... he's speaking in aphorisms to convey his own somber cries. Internally it's an apology, as much as people might deny that.
I think thats the epitome of sympathy.
Its no glorious battle, and that the same time it isnt a ruthless conquering of peoples; its a brain thats trying to function... a heart thats trying to work, an engine thats trying to start running.
The city is functioning as an emotionally stable world, with emotionally stable people. He rejects this world because it's not the way he understands, alcohol fueled anger is just denial that something is wrong about him/you/me/anyone. It's on the offensive because people dont want to seem weak confused and scared, they want to give the impression that they are strong, and have control of their life.
The native americans were sent to reservations when their land was stripped from them. Cowboy Dan headed to the reservation when his emotional wellbeing was stripped from him.
Whitetide is right, Cowboy Dan is a pitiable character but he evokes no sympathy. He's a lifetime ***kup with no hope of changing. While things are beyond his control sometimes he still "Can't get that engine turned over." He wants to change but is too weak to do it so he just pushes the others around him down. The middle section just emphasizes his worthlessness more he never does anything with his life he's just "moving the ground." He never says anything important and thoughtful he's just "movin" his mouth. And he just "looks down" on everyone else. A good statement of the white man's place in history.
@Kendreeke I think your interpretation is very one dimensional.
@Kendreeke I think your interpretation is very one dimensional.
It's just like you're calling someone with depression or PTSD worthless, maybe it's you who's forgetting theyre human?
It's just like you're calling someone with depression or PTSD worthless, maybe it's you who's forgetting theyre human?
The interlude is the most tranquil part of the song. It has a sound of submission and withdrawl, isolation.
The interlude is the most tranquil part of the song. It has a sound of submission and withdrawl, isolation.
If someone doesnt recieve enough oxygen, how can they breathe? If someone doesnt recieve enough love and respect, how can they emotionally develop as a person?
If someone doesnt recieve enough oxygen, how can they breathe? If someone doesnt recieve enough love and respect, how can they emotionally develop as a person?
One kills the body, the other kills the mind.
One kills the body, the other kills the mind.
His problems are simple and clear when he can take a step back, maybe these are moments he realizes...
His problems are simple and clear when he can take a step back, maybe these are moments he realizes that god has already died within himself. Moving the ground implies that one has power, but yet is still walking in place. Moving ones mouth implies a functioning body, yet a hollow body at that. Looking around implies curiosity, yet looking down shows the curiosity isnt seeking any answers.
He has the power, but somewhere along his life all these actions became meaningless. He can walk, but he has nowhere to go. He can talk but he has nothing to say. He can ponder but theres nothing to think about.
Its much easier for someone to hide being abrasive violent behavior/music, than it is to face their real problems.
In some miraculous beatiful break in music, we're able to see who cowboy dan really is, emotions cant last forever.... he's speaking in aphorisms to convey his own somber cries. Internally it's an apology, as much as people might deny that.
I think thats the epitome of sympathy.
Its no glorious battle, and that the same time it isnt a ruthless conquering of peoples; its a brain thats trying to function... a heart thats trying to work, an engine thats trying to start running.
The city is functioning as an emotionally stable world, with emotionally stable people. He rejects this world because it's not the way he understands, alcohol fueled anger is just denial that something is wrong about him/you/me/anyone. It's on the offensive because people dont want to seem weak confused and scared, they want to give the impression that they are strong, and have control of their life.
The native americans were sent to reservations when their land was stripped from them. Cowboy Dan headed to the reservation when his emotional wellbeing was stripped from him.
Long story short: alcoholism