To me this song has a very clear meaning with lots of hidden religious references.
The line:
"They started out beneath the knowledge tree"
is a religious reference to the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil" which is symbolic to Christians and Jews. In Genesis chapters 2/3, we are told how The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (also known as the Tree of Knowledge) is in the centre of the garden of Eden.
I think the message in this song is that our creator has made a perfect world for us all to live in yet we are mindlessly destroying it:
"They started out beneath the knowledge tree.
Then they chopped it down to make white picket fences"
I think this line means that people's consciences are being destroyed by the media/goverment/the world we live in. The cutting down of the tree is the destruction of our consciences. When Regina tells us that they made the tree into fences, it is symbolising how people are greedy, out to make money from anything they can.
I believe the character in the song, the man who "stumbled into faith", is a highly religious character who is observing the collapse of soceity and goodness:
"And all the people hurried fast,
Real fast,
And no one ever smiled"
This line is saying how everyone is so caught up in their own lives they never take the time to look around and see what they are doing.
"And, marching along the railroad tracks,
They smile real wide for the camera lenses.
They made it past the enemy lines
Just to become enslaved in the assembly lines"
These lyrics are saying how people are proud of such little achievements, everyone is becoming the same, nobody stands out, everyone does the same. There is so much I could write about this song! :)
I would also agree with envirohodges, saying blue, the colour of our blood connects everyone.
I like that line a lot about chopping the tree down to make white picket fences.
I like that line a lot about chopping the tree down to make white picket fences.
I am not a super religious person, nor do I really enjoy music with a heap of religion thrown in (just an opinion), but this idea of wrecking the world created to just conform and be everyone else is very cool. The imagery is there.
I am not a super religious person, nor do I really enjoy music with a heap of religion thrown in (just an opinion), but this idea of wrecking the world created to just conform and be everyone else is very cool. The imagery is there.
I love Regina. Her lyrics always keep me interested. I never really know where she's going with them. :)
I love Regina. Her lyrics always keep me interested. I never really know where she's going with them. :)
I also agree with you completely and I'd take it a step further and say that the first satanza and the first part of the second is specifically referring to the creation story as told in Genesis.
I also agree with you completely and I'd take it a step further and say that the first satanza and the first part of the second is specifically referring to the creation story as told in Genesis.
e> He stumbled into faith and thought,
"God, this is all there is?"
The pictures in his mind arose,
And began to breathe.
And all the gods and all the worlds
Began colliding on a
Backdrop of
Blue.
He took a step, but then felt tired.
He said, "I'll rest a little while."
e> He stumbled into faith and thought,
"God, this is all there is?"
The pictures in his mind arose,
And began to breathe.
And all the gods and all the worlds
Began colliding on a
Backdrop of
Blue.
He took a step, but then felt tired.
He said, "I'll rest a little while."
I agree with most...my own interpretation, at least, is that the white picket fences depict how we categorize ourselves and separate each other, regardless to the fact that we were given 'the knowledge tree'; we destroyed this and we've segregated ourselves amongst one another ...blue veins, we're all the same...yet we are divided. why? we're all blind, oblivious, but 'he' sees this, he is recognizing this...
I agree with most...my own interpretation, at least, is that the white picket fences depict how we categorize ourselves and separate each other, regardless to the fact that we were given 'the knowledge tree'; we destroyed this and we've segregated ourselves amongst one another ...blue veins, we're all the same...yet we are divided. why? we're all blind, oblivious, but 'he' sees this, he is recognizing this...
I think that with the knowledge tree of good and evil and by reducing it to a white picket fence shows a lot. I, however, emphasize on the picket fence, what the tree was turned into, instead of focusing on the tree.
Fences show and represent segregation, but also give the image of protection. I think by destroying something as valuable as the tree to make a fence shows how overprotective we are as humans, but sadly to the point we lose what we were going to protect in the first place.
I think that with the knowledge tree of good and evil and by reducing it to a white picket fence shows a lot. I, however, emphasize on the picket fence, what the tree was turned into, instead of focusing on the tree.
Fences show and represent segregation, but also give the image of protection. I think by destroying something as valuable as the tree to make a fence shows how overprotective we are as humans, but sadly to the point we lose what we were going to protect in the first place.
Honestly, I think Regina sneeks some kind of a religious reference into almost all her songs.. sometimes they're just clearer to find than other times.
Honestly, I think Regina sneeks some kind of a religious reference into almost all her songs.. sometimes they're just clearer to find than other times.
"They started out beneath the knowledge tree.
Then they chopped it down to make white picket fences"
This actual means something totally different to me. They started out under the same tree, but chopped it down to take separate lands for themselves. They started out together, and destroyed nature mindlessly, as you said, but to separate themselves from what they were, that is to say, humans have been separating themselves from one another.
"They started out beneath the knowledge tree.
Then they chopped it down to make white picket fences"
This actual means something totally different to me. They started out under the same tree, but chopped it down to take separate lands for themselves. They started out together, and destroyed nature mindlessly, as you said, but to separate themselves from what they were, that is to say, humans have been separating themselves from one another.
I bet RS actually just puts random words together that sound good, and goes, "Uhh, yeah, yeah that's the meaning... suuuuuuuure I meant that when...
I bet RS actually just puts random words together that sound good, and goes, "Uhh, yeah, yeah that's the meaning... suuuuuuuure I meant that when I was writing it..."
I have to agree with your interpretation on many points, however I feel the following lines express something more than just being "different":
I have to agree with your interpretation on many points, however I feel the following lines express something more than just being "different":
"And, marching along the railroad tracks,
They smile real wide for the camera lenses.
They made it past the enemy lines
Just to become enslaved in the assembly lines"
"And, marching along the railroad tracks,
They smile real wide for the camera lenses.
They made it past the enemy lines
Just to become enslaved in the assembly lines"
I feel like this is saying that we work extremely hard for things and then just throw them away. I think she is referring to how we fight wars for freedom, but we only do it to enslave ourselves to capitalism. Also, I think...
I feel like this is saying that we work extremely hard for things and then just throw them away. I think she is referring to how we fight wars for freedom, but we only do it to enslave ourselves to capitalism. Also, I think she is referring back to:
"And all the people hurried fast,
Real fast,
And no one ever smiled"
We smile for the cameras, but not genuinely...only for our own self absorption. Why would we smile to cameras but not to others?
Blue is the color of Krsna. This piece could very well tell the story of one's path to spiritual enlightenment in the Vedic tradition. It references the timeless story of falling from enlightenment by pursuing ego, vanity / self-gratification, etc. while forsaking the "real path to happiness" of surrendering one's ego and becoming one with something far greater, our singularity of commonality via God / Krsna.
Blue is the color of Krsna. This piece could very well tell the story of one's path to spiritual enlightenment in the Vedic tradition. It references the timeless story of falling from enlightenment by pursuing ego, vanity / self-gratification, etc. while forsaking the "real path to happiness" of surrendering one's ego and becoming one with something far greater, our singularity of commonality via God / Krsna.
Spektor explored a lot with religion on the album Far, and this seems to be an explanation with Krsna / enlightenment.
Spektor explored a lot with religion on the album Far, and this seems to be an explanation with Krsna / enlightenment.
To me this song has a very clear meaning with lots of hidden religious references.
The line: "They started out beneath the knowledge tree" is a religious reference to the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil" which is symbolic to Christians and Jews. In Genesis chapters 2/3, we are told how The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (also known as the Tree of Knowledge) is in the centre of the garden of Eden.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_Knowledge_of_Good_and_Evil
Look on that link for more information.
I think the message in this song is that our creator has made a perfect world for us all to live in yet we are mindlessly destroying it:
"They started out beneath the knowledge tree. Then they chopped it down to make white picket fences"
I think this line means that people's consciences are being destroyed by the media/goverment/the world we live in. The cutting down of the tree is the destruction of our consciences. When Regina tells us that they made the tree into fences, it is symbolising how people are greedy, out to make money from anything they can.
I believe the character in the song, the man who "stumbled into faith", is a highly religious character who is observing the collapse of soceity and goodness:
"And all the people hurried fast, Real fast, And no one ever smiled"
This line is saying how everyone is so caught up in their own lives they never take the time to look around and see what they are doing.
"And, marching along the railroad tracks, They smile real wide for the camera lenses. They made it past the enemy lines Just to become enslaved in the assembly lines"
These lyrics are saying how people are proud of such little achievements, everyone is becoming the same, nobody stands out, everyone does the same. There is so much I could write about this song! :)
I would also agree with envirohodges, saying blue, the colour of our blood connects everyone.
I like your idea about the Tree of Good and Evil.
I like your idea about the Tree of Good and Evil.
I like that line a lot about chopping the tree down to make white picket fences.
I like that line a lot about chopping the tree down to make white picket fences.
I am not a super religious person, nor do I really enjoy music with a heap of religion thrown in (just an opinion), but this idea of wrecking the world created to just conform and be everyone else is very cool. The imagery is there.
I am not a super religious person, nor do I really enjoy music with a heap of religion thrown in (just an opinion), but this idea of wrecking the world created to just conform and be everyone else is very cool. The imagery is there.
I love Regina. Her lyrics always keep me interested. I never really know where she's going with them. :)
I love Regina. Her lyrics always keep me interested. I never really know where she's going with them. :)
I think you're very right, I couldn't have put it better myself, and now I don't have to!
I think you're very right, I couldn't have put it better myself, and now I don't have to!
I also agree with you completely and I'd take it a step further and say that the first satanza and the first part of the second is specifically referring to the creation story as told in Genesis.
I also agree with you completely and I'd take it a step further and say that the first satanza and the first part of the second is specifically referring to the creation story as told in Genesis.
e>
He stumbled into faith and thought, "God, this is all there is?" The pictures in his mind arose, And began to breathe. And all the gods and all the worlds Began colliding on a Backdrop of Blue. He took a step, but then felt tired. He said, "I'll rest a little while."e>
He stumbled into faith and thought, "God, this is all there is?" The pictures in his mind arose, And began to breathe. And all the gods and all the worlds Began colliding on a Backdrop of Blue. He took a step, but then felt tired. He said, "I'll rest a little while."I agree with most...my own interpretation, at least, is that the white picket fences depict how we categorize ourselves and separate each other, regardless to the fact that we were given 'the knowledge tree'; we destroyed this and we've segregated ourselves amongst one another ...blue veins, we're all the same...yet we are divided. why? we're all blind, oblivious, but 'he' sees this, he is recognizing this...
I agree with most...my own interpretation, at least, is that the white picket fences depict how we categorize ourselves and separate each other, regardless to the fact that we were given 'the knowledge tree'; we destroyed this and we've segregated ourselves amongst one another ...blue veins, we're all the same...yet we are divided. why? we're all blind, oblivious, but 'he' sees this, he is recognizing this...
I think that with the knowledge tree of good and evil and by reducing it to a white picket fence shows a lot. I, however, emphasize on the picket fence, what the tree was turned into, instead of focusing on the tree. Fences show and represent segregation, but also give the image of protection. I think by destroying something as valuable as the tree to make a fence shows how overprotective we are as humans, but sadly to the point we lose what we were going to protect in the first place.
I think that with the knowledge tree of good and evil and by reducing it to a white picket fence shows a lot. I, however, emphasize on the picket fence, what the tree was turned into, instead of focusing on the tree. Fences show and represent segregation, but also give the image of protection. I think by destroying something as valuable as the tree to make a fence shows how overprotective we are as humans, but sadly to the point we lose what we were going to protect in the first place.
Honestly, I think Regina sneeks some kind of a religious reference into almost all her songs.. sometimes they're just clearer to find than other times.
Honestly, I think Regina sneeks some kind of a religious reference into almost all her songs.. sometimes they're just clearer to find than other times.
"They started out beneath the knowledge tree. Then they chopped it down to make white picket fences" This actual means something totally different to me. They started out under the same tree, but chopped it down to take separate lands for themselves. They started out together, and destroyed nature mindlessly, as you said, but to separate themselves from what they were, that is to say, humans have been separating themselves from one another.
"They started out beneath the knowledge tree. Then they chopped it down to make white picket fences" This actual means something totally different to me. They started out under the same tree, but chopped it down to take separate lands for themselves. They started out together, and destroyed nature mindlessly, as you said, but to separate themselves from what they were, that is to say, humans have been separating themselves from one another.
I bet RS actually just puts random words together that sound good, and goes, "Uhh, yeah, yeah that's the meaning... suuuuuuuure I meant that when...
I bet RS actually just puts random words together that sound good, and goes, "Uhh, yeah, yeah that's the meaning... suuuuuuuure I meant that when I was writing it..."
I agree with what you wrote. Very nice! :)
I have to agree with your interpretation on many points, however I feel the following lines express something more than just being "different":
I have to agree with your interpretation on many points, however I feel the following lines express something more than just being "different":
"And, marching along the railroad tracks, They smile real wide for the camera lenses. They made it past the enemy lines Just to become enslaved in the assembly lines"
"And, marching along the railroad tracks, They smile real wide for the camera lenses. They made it past the enemy lines Just to become enslaved in the assembly lines"
I feel like this is saying that we work extremely hard for things and then just throw them away. I think she is referring to how we fight wars for freedom, but we only do it to enslave ourselves to capitalism. Also, I think...
I feel like this is saying that we work extremely hard for things and then just throw them away. I think she is referring to how we fight wars for freedom, but we only do it to enslave ourselves to capitalism. Also, I think she is referring back to:
"And all the people hurried fast, Real fast, And no one ever smiled"
We smile for the cameras, but not genuinely...only for our own self absorption. Why would we smile to cameras but not to others?
@Lozeli
@Lozeli
Blue is the color of Krsna. This piece could very well tell the story of one's path to spiritual enlightenment in the Vedic tradition. It references the timeless story of falling from enlightenment by pursuing ego, vanity / self-gratification, etc. while forsaking the "real path to happiness" of surrendering one's ego and becoming one with something far greater, our singularity of commonality via God / Krsna.
Blue is the color of Krsna. This piece could very well tell the story of one's path to spiritual enlightenment in the Vedic tradition. It references the timeless story of falling from enlightenment by pursuing ego, vanity / self-gratification, etc. while forsaking the "real path to happiness" of surrendering one's ego and becoming one with something far greater, our singularity of commonality via God / Krsna.
Spektor explored a lot with religion on the album Far, and this seems to be an explanation with Krsna / enlightenment.
Spektor explored a lot with religion on the album Far, and this seems to be an explanation with Krsna / enlightenment.