it seems more congruous to look at this as a song written for someone right after a suicide ATTEMPT rather than an actual suicide. the lyrics are in the present tense - "listen now - now's the time to listen". he's offering alternative solutions in the same metaphorical terms (i.e. astronaut/star-map). if the person was dead, this wouldn't make sense.
and i actually don't think it has to do with heaven and hell at all. the flames/cold metaphors seem to have more to do with someone who is depressed, suicidal, and detached ("cold") going to self-destructive extremes rather than asking for help and getting something more moderate and comforting - a "nice warm glow". people in these circumstances often feel that they're a burden on their friends. this song personifies a caring friend trying to contradict that belief:
it seems more congruous to look at this as a song written for someone right after a suicide ATTEMPT rather than an actual suicide. the lyrics are in the present tense - "listen now - now's the time to listen". he's offering alternative solutions in the same metaphorical terms (i.e. astronaut/star-map). if the person was dead, this wouldn't make sense.
and i actually don't think it has to do with heaven and hell at all. the flames/cold metaphors seem to have more to do with someone who is depressed, suicidal, and detached ("cold") going to self-destructive extremes rather than asking for help and getting something more moderate and comforting - a "nice warm glow". people in these circumstances often feel that they're a burden on their friends. this song personifies a caring friend trying to contradict that belief:
"everybody needs some help sometimes."