i set lines 2-4 in the first, third, and fourth verses and lines 2 and 3 in the second verse in italics because i think there is a dialog happening in this song, as if the first voice were urging the second not to lose himself and to wipe away his tears. possibly the two voices belong to the same person, and the song chronicles the inner struggle to persevere when all you want to do is give up. that duality is present in the music as well; in the first half of the song, the riff is a descending chord pattern, while in the second half the riff is an ascending one, which gives the effect of newfound optimism after a period of hopelessness. quite moving.
I know these things are open to interpretation. Personally, I've never heard this song as an inner-dialogue. The way I hear it, the singer is in some sort of downward spiral of depression and self-destruction. He has a companion who cares about him and who is trying to save him, but he is really beyond help. He is trying to tell his companion to let him go so he does not drag his companion down with him. The optimism, I think, is the companion feeling the relief of breaking free from a destructive relationship.
I know these things are open to interpretation. Personally, I've never heard this song as an inner-dialogue. The way I hear it, the singer is in some sort of downward spiral of depression and self-destruction. He has a companion who cares about him and who is trying to save him, but he is really beyond help. He is trying to tell his companion to let him go so he does not drag his companion down with him. The optimism, I think, is the companion feeling the relief of breaking free from a destructive relationship.
I know that's not very optimistic,...
I know that's not very optimistic, but that's what I hear. And hey: there's always something satisfying about announcing to the world that you're "way past caring."
i set lines 2-4 in the first, third, and fourth verses and lines 2 and 3 in the second verse in italics because i think there is a dialog happening in this song, as if the first voice were urging the second not to lose himself and to wipe away his tears. possibly the two voices belong to the same person, and the song chronicles the inner struggle to persevere when all you want to do is give up. that duality is present in the music as well; in the first half of the song, the riff is a descending chord pattern, while in the second half the riff is an ascending one, which gives the effect of newfound optimism after a period of hopelessness. quite moving.
I know these things are open to interpretation. Personally, I've never heard this song as an inner-dialogue. The way I hear it, the singer is in some sort of downward spiral of depression and self-destruction. He has a companion who cares about him and who is trying to save him, but he is really beyond help. He is trying to tell his companion to let him go so he does not drag his companion down with him. The optimism, I think, is the companion feeling the relief of breaking free from a destructive relationship.
I know these things are open to interpretation. Personally, I've never heard this song as an inner-dialogue. The way I hear it, the singer is in some sort of downward spiral of depression and self-destruction. He has a companion who cares about him and who is trying to save him, but he is really beyond help. He is trying to tell his companion to let him go so he does not drag his companion down with him. The optimism, I think, is the companion feeling the relief of breaking free from a destructive relationship.
I know that's not very optimistic,...
I know that's not very optimistic, but that's what I hear. And hey: there's always something satisfying about announcing to the world that you're "way past caring."