Many of you make very good interpretations, but here's another one:
Sociopath.
It's often thought a sociopath is not aware of their disorder or how their actions hurt others, but this is not exactly true.
To me, the song sounds like a sociopath realizing/explaining how their life has gone so far.
"Flawed design" and the "chemicals" would thus point to the theory that there is something fundamentally wrong with people like that, that can not be changed.
Even though the character briefly acknowledges that there are negative consequences for his actions, he once again returns to "I lie..Not because I want to, but I seem to need to".
He does not feel guilty, because whenever he is faced with his problem, he WILL shut down.
Note that he is using definite words (I am, I will, it is) when talking about his condition.
"Trouble sleeping with both eyes closed", to me, is not a sign of remorse either.
Once a sociopath gets active ("I realized I could control other people", he will crave more and more control over his surroundings.
He keeps "one eye open", making sure he has control over everything his victim does.
The "how can you say those things" part is obviously someone else talking.
Perhaps it's us, the "unflawed", having learned of his true nature, shocked at how he is able to do it.
At the same time he is having a hard time keeping a straight face. He can't help but enjoy it.
He even shows us how easily he traps us:
"And if I ask permission, if I make sure it's ok, I promise I won't slip up this time, you can trust me."
So we trust him. He promised. But then he says:
"But never take advice from someone who just admitted to being devious and just confessed to treason."
in other words: "see what I did there? it's that easy."
in the last part of the verse he reminds us that we are not so unlike him.
Everybody lies, so how can we expect more of him?
Also he reminds us that if we judge him for being a user, then we have to judge ourselves for being so gullible.
it's probably obvious that I'm a person who has been targeted by such a "devious" person.
It's amazing what these people are capable of. While knowing exactly what they are doing.
Many of you make very good interpretations, but here's another one: Sociopath.
It's often thought a sociopath is not aware of their disorder or how their actions hurt others, but this is not exactly true. To me, the song sounds like a sociopath realizing/explaining how their life has gone so far. "Flawed design" and the "chemicals" would thus point to the theory that there is something fundamentally wrong with people like that, that can not be changed.
Even though the character briefly acknowledges that there are negative consequences for his actions, he once again returns to "I lie..Not because I want to, but I seem to need to". He does not feel guilty, because whenever he is faced with his problem, he WILL shut down. Note that he is using definite words (I am, I will, it is) when talking about his condition.
"Trouble sleeping with both eyes closed", to me, is not a sign of remorse either. Once a sociopath gets active ("I realized I could control other people", he will crave more and more control over his surroundings. He keeps "one eye open", making sure he has control over everything his victim does.
The "how can you say those things" part is obviously someone else talking. Perhaps it's us, the "unflawed", having learned of his true nature, shocked at how he is able to do it. At the same time he is having a hard time keeping a straight face. He can't help but enjoy it. He even shows us how easily he traps us: "And if I ask permission, if I make sure it's ok, I promise I won't slip up this time, you can trust me." So we trust him. He promised. But then he says: "But never take advice from someone who just admitted to being devious and just confessed to treason." in other words: "see what I did there? it's that easy." in the last part of the verse he reminds us that we are not so unlike him. Everybody lies, so how can we expect more of him? Also he reminds us that if we judge him for being a user, then we have to judge ourselves for being so gullible.
it's probably obvious that I'm a person who has been targeted by such a "devious" person. It's amazing what these people are capable of. While knowing exactly what they are doing.
Seriously, I couldn't agree more.
Seriously, I couldn't agree more.