This song is about heroism. A "hero" is not a singer, actor or athlete, but people who really make a difference in the world, either in a global way or in a personal way. Example of the first are scientists who cure diseases, people who save lives, etc. The second are people who, often in a subtle manner, enhance the lives of people around them - like the gay person mentioned in the first verse who expanded the lyricist's reality. The murder victim was one of the Karla Homolka/Paul Bernardo's victims, whose family knew one of the band members.
This song is about heroism. A "hero" is not a singer, actor or athlete, but people who really make a difference in the world, either in a global way or in a personal way. Example of the first are scientists who cure diseases, people who save lives, etc. The second are people who, often in a subtle manner, enhance the lives of people around them - like the gay person mentioned in the first verse who expanded the lyricist's reality. The murder victim was one of the Karla Homolka/Paul Bernardo's victims, whose family knew one of the band members.