I don't think the song is about actually committing suicide so much as the throught process that goes into the decision. There has to be all kind of confusion in a person's head while they are considering this, until finally a moment of clartiy comes that makes it clear, to them at least, what they should do.
The first lyrics that might overtly point to that is:
"He thinks he's going crazy
This could be the big one"
But the whole song paints a picture of life slowing down, where all he can see is his mother crying and his father working. He thinks is gaining clarity and that scares him because once suicide seems like the ideal solution to his problems, "there's no going back" as the song says.
I read that Shirley wrote this song about a suicidal kid she knew in her peer group growing up. I'm not sure what happened to him.
I know this isn't a popular song among Garbage fans, and it's pretty easy to see why. It's very minimulist, there is probly less music here than on other songs. Also, the lyrics are much more submissive than many fans would be used to who have heard songs like "Vow" and "#1 Crush"
Garbage is my favorite band behind only Radiohead and this is my favorite song by them. I first heard it during my senior year of college and the haunting lyrics and melody made me realize what i was most afraid of: having to graduate. Every time during the year that I would be afraid of leaving school anfd facing the future, I would play this song.
spot on! you nailed it in my opinion. Not so much about suicide but what goes through your head when you contemplate it. Garbage is also my favorite band behind Radiohead
spot on! you nailed it in my opinion. Not so much about suicide but what goes through your head when you contemplate it. Garbage is also my favorite band behind Radiohead
I don't think the song is about actually committing suicide so much as the throught process that goes into the decision. There has to be all kind of confusion in a person's head while they are considering this, until finally a moment of clartiy comes that makes it clear, to them at least, what they should do.
The first lyrics that might overtly point to that is:
"He thinks he's going crazy This could be the big one"
But the whole song paints a picture of life slowing down, where all he can see is his mother crying and his father working. He thinks is gaining clarity and that scares him because once suicide seems like the ideal solution to his problems, "there's no going back" as the song says.
I read that Shirley wrote this song about a suicidal kid she knew in her peer group growing up. I'm not sure what happened to him.
I know this isn't a popular song among Garbage fans, and it's pretty easy to see why. It's very minimulist, there is probly less music here than on other songs. Also, the lyrics are much more submissive than many fans would be used to who have heard songs like "Vow" and "#1 Crush"
Garbage is my favorite band behind only Radiohead and this is my favorite song by them. I first heard it during my senior year of college and the haunting lyrics and melody made me realize what i was most afraid of: having to graduate. Every time during the year that I would be afraid of leaving school anfd facing the future, I would play this song.
spot on! you nailed it in my opinion. Not so much about suicide but what goes through your head when you contemplate it. Garbage is also my favorite band behind Radiohead
spot on! you nailed it in my opinion. Not so much about suicide but what goes through your head when you contemplate it. Garbage is also my favorite band behind Radiohead
great post!
great post!