Lyric discussion by Smokler 

Cover art for The Bells Are Ringing lyrics by They Might Be Giants

Personally I think it's about religion as a narcotic.

Absolutely. I would perhaps swap the description "narcotic" for "brainwashing," but I'm with you.

The most obvious interpretation of the bells ringing is clearly church bells ringing. "A voice is telling them to act a different way" could refer to an officiant preaching or to the "voice" of a higher being playing the part of pied piper providing "instructions" and "directions" and "bringing the people 'round." "They were disorganized and that was what was wrong" also seems to point to the so called "answer" of organized religion. The people "travel great distances to the sound" could...