I read through almost every post on here thinking "man, I can't wait to get my interpretation out there" only to find it got put finely only a week or so ago. The fact that the song has a different meaning to anyone proves it: it's about self-destruction in general, or more specifically, the self-destructive "drive" within the "character" of the album. That becomes apparant in the very first lyric of the song, "I am the voice inside your head."
I always viewed the first and last track on the album as kind of an intro/outro to the album, with the self-titled song being the sort of creative climax where the overall sound and everything perfectly gets the tone of the album, the idea of being "dragged down and used up."
From Piggy to Reptile I always saw those songs as the real "meat" of the album, following the evolution of "the" self destructive person from love, to religion, to sex, to society, and to bringing out the overall dark side of a person. then with "big man with a gun" I always saw it as a run-in with the law, and A Warm Place is the contemplative and introspective state that one enters after those situations. after that state people often try to "erase" their old selves (sometimes even programs like AA/NA), only to relapse, as shown in Reptile.
In conclusion, I basically agree with those who said that this song is like an introduction that shows what is to come. It's probably my favorite off of the album along with Hurt, which I always saw as kind of the epilogue, with the end being most important. "If I could start again, a million miles away, I would keep myself, I would find a way..." and that horrible chord that's played over it expresses much more than any words could have.
@Azurite nice call. Love the way this song sets up the album. When we get to The Ruiner, I thinks it's clear they are talking about suicidal thoughts everyone has at some point. The Downward Spiral and Hurt clearly show the person losing his grip and then losing the battle completely to suicide. Or maybe I'm completely full of shit. Who knows. Either way, great album
@Azurite nice call. Love the way this song sets up the album. When we get to The Ruiner, I thinks it's clear they are talking about suicidal thoughts everyone has at some point. The Downward Spiral and Hurt clearly show the person losing his grip and then losing the battle completely to suicide. Or maybe I'm completely full of shit. Who knows. Either way, great album
I read through almost every post on here thinking "man, I can't wait to get my interpretation out there" only to find it got put finely only a week or so ago. The fact that the song has a different meaning to anyone proves it: it's about self-destruction in general, or more specifically, the self-destructive "drive" within the "character" of the album. That becomes apparant in the very first lyric of the song, "I am the voice inside your head."
I always viewed the first and last track on the album as kind of an intro/outro to the album, with the self-titled song being the sort of creative climax where the overall sound and everything perfectly gets the tone of the album, the idea of being "dragged down and used up."
From Piggy to Reptile I always saw those songs as the real "meat" of the album, following the evolution of "the" self destructive person from love, to religion, to sex, to society, and to bringing out the overall dark side of a person. then with "big man with a gun" I always saw it as a run-in with the law, and A Warm Place is the contemplative and introspective state that one enters after those situations. after that state people often try to "erase" their old selves (sometimes even programs like AA/NA), only to relapse, as shown in Reptile.
In conclusion, I basically agree with those who said that this song is like an introduction that shows what is to come. It's probably my favorite off of the album along with Hurt, which I always saw as kind of the epilogue, with the end being most important. "If I could start again, a million miles away, I would keep myself, I would find a way..." and that horrible chord that's played over it expresses much more than any words could have.
...man, I ramble.
@Azurite nice call. Love the way this song sets up the album. When we get to The Ruiner, I thinks it's clear they are talking about suicidal thoughts everyone has at some point. The Downward Spiral and Hurt clearly show the person losing his grip and then losing the battle completely to suicide. Or maybe I'm completely full of shit. Who knows. Either way, great album
@Azurite nice call. Love the way this song sets up the album. When we get to The Ruiner, I thinks it's clear they are talking about suicidal thoughts everyone has at some point. The Downward Spiral and Hurt clearly show the person losing his grip and then losing the battle completely to suicide. Or maybe I'm completely full of shit. Who knows. Either way, great album