Too many Ween fans instantly assume every song is about drugs. Most aren't and I don't think this one is.
I think it's about the continuation of life after death and evolution, and just being a small part of it.
The whole song the lyrics are about the changing of skin, transdermal in the sense of taking a new form, not a "through skin" kinda way like a nicotine patch. And he keeps talking about mutants, mutation being key to the evolution of species. As they evolve over time.
I think it's about how our lives are so short but we're a part of a larger cycle of life, death, rebirth, and evolution. The video nails it.
@rufonz drugs were pretty integral in the making of most Ween albums, so the "language" of drug users is in there. They also seem to have a huge following of people that includes a lot of drug users and people who are caught up with Gene Weens struggle with addiction and so they write the songs off as that.
@rufonz drugs were pretty integral in the making of most Ween albums, so the "language" of drug users is in there. They also seem to have a huge following of people that includes a lot of drug users and people who are caught up with Gene Weens struggle with addiction and so they write the songs off as that.
Problem is that the subjectivity of music means people are free to stop at this surface level and rob themselves of the greatness of the depth of ween.
Problem is that the subjectivity of music means people are free to stop at this surface level and rob themselves of the greatness of the depth of ween.
Personally I've always kinda seen this song as a sci-fi landscape...
Personally I've always kinda seen this song as a sci-fi landscape where some form of pathogen is changing people for the better and people are spreading it. Out of fear of anything new, the armies are sent in to destroy the new and bring back the status quo. The narrator seems to be unbiased and almost naive - describing bombs as crustaceans. The last line about "But where is the mutation who once told me it was safe, I can't find him" seems to indicate a "victory" and the destruction of the unknown.
It's kind of a sad story, to me, despite the triumphant feeling of the music.
I think you are probably pretty close. USually, reading these Song Meaning theories by people just makes me sad - because a LOT of people are really stupid and/or really clueless.
I think you are right in the ballpark here. I dont think a song as Brown as 'Transdermal' will ever be fully understood by anyone outside of the band - but I really give you credit. You have a thoughtful theory and it's as good as any. Works for me.
I think you are probably pretty close. USually, reading these Song Meaning theories by people just makes me sad - because a LOT of people are really stupid and/or really clueless.
I think you are right in the ballpark here. I dont think a song as Brown as 'Transdermal' will ever be fully understood by anyone outside of the band - but I really give you credit. You have a thoughtful theory and it's as good as any. Works for me.
Too many Ween fans instantly assume every song is about drugs. Most aren't and I don't think this one is.
I think it's about the continuation of life after death and evolution, and just being a small part of it.
The whole song the lyrics are about the changing of skin, transdermal in the sense of taking a new form, not a "through skin" kinda way like a nicotine patch. And he keeps talking about mutants, mutation being key to the evolution of species. As they evolve over time.
I think it's about how our lives are so short but we're a part of a larger cycle of life, death, rebirth, and evolution. The video nails it.
this is the only answer that makes sense. And I agree with you about most of their stuff NOT being about dope.
this is the only answer that makes sense. And I agree with you about most of their stuff NOT being about dope.
@rufonz drugs were pretty integral in the making of most Ween albums, so the "language" of drug users is in there. They also seem to have a huge following of people that includes a lot of drug users and people who are caught up with Gene Weens struggle with addiction and so they write the songs off as that.
@rufonz drugs were pretty integral in the making of most Ween albums, so the "language" of drug users is in there. They also seem to have a huge following of people that includes a lot of drug users and people who are caught up with Gene Weens struggle with addiction and so they write the songs off as that.
Problem is that the subjectivity of music means people are free to stop at this surface level and rob themselves of the greatness of the depth of ween.
Problem is that the subjectivity of music means people are free to stop at this surface level and rob themselves of the greatness of the depth of ween.
Personally I've always kinda seen this song as a sci-fi landscape...
Personally I've always kinda seen this song as a sci-fi landscape where some form of pathogen is changing people for the better and people are spreading it. Out of fear of anything new, the armies are sent in to destroy the new and bring back the status quo. The narrator seems to be unbiased and almost naive - describing bombs as crustaceans. The last line about "But where is the mutation who once told me it was safe, I can't find him" seems to indicate a "victory" and the destruction of the unknown.
It's kind of a sad story, to me, despite the triumphant feeling of the music.
I think you are probably pretty close. USually, reading these Song Meaning theories by people just makes me sad - because a LOT of people are really stupid and/or really clueless. I think you are right in the ballpark here. I dont think a song as Brown as 'Transdermal' will ever be fully understood by anyone outside of the band - but I really give you credit. You have a thoughtful theory and it's as good as any. Works for me.
I think you are probably pretty close. USually, reading these Song Meaning theories by people just makes me sad - because a LOT of people are really stupid and/or really clueless. I think you are right in the ballpark here. I dont think a song as Brown as 'Transdermal' will ever be fully understood by anyone outside of the band - but I really give you credit. You have a thoughtful theory and it's as good as any. Works for me.