I read in an interview with Davey how he said something about a couple songs, for the first time in their career as AFI, that there were a few political themes on the new record. He had also stated about how fucked up and polluted all forms of art and media have become these days. Now to me, this is one of those songs dealing with either/or of the above. He could be speaking of the government, or the media.
When I listen to this song, I can't help but just think of George Orwell's "1984" and this song being in that cultural setting.
If you've read "1984" then
"Don't speak
don't say anything
They've been recording all we say
for years now"
sort of makes sense in that regard.
This lyric makes a lot of sense to me as well:
"What we captured got away,
slipped from us"
he could be talking about their freedom.
And as for "You won't see them right away" explains maybe how "Big Brother" or the government, watches and listens to every move made and every word said. And you won't see them until you've broken the law in some aspect (or in "1984"s case, even said a codeword or phrase that may be deemed as a 'threat').
And the lyrics:
"They've come to take me away
and won't leave until I'm gone"
further verifies this point, as the government have come to take him away and will not leave without arresting him for whatever offense he has committed.
Also the lyric:
"Don't feel, don't love anything
Love attracts all those who taint the cherished
Don't try to, to change anything
Nothing pure can ever stay"
could be from the perspective of the government telling everyone not to love, because it "attracts all those who taint the cherished" and they want everyone to stay the same and not "to change anything". Also, "Nothing pure can ever stay" could be the government's way of expressing how they want everyone to be the same as well.
And finally, "They'll say relax, you'll be fine" and "All we love goes away" is the government as such in 1984, and even in today's society, the government telling us that everything will be fine and not to worry. When somebody does something wrong, they go to jail, or are taken away from "All they love".
Sorry for the HUGE post, it's just my spin on the possible meaning of the song.
I have to agree completely. I can't listen to this song without thinking of 1984.
I have to agree completely. I can't listen to this song without thinking of 1984.
For me, it brings to mind most vividly the scene in which Julia and Winston are together and the Thought Police come to arrest them, especially in the lines "Hold me closely now but don't, don't say anything/They've come to take me away/And won't leave until I'm gone".
For me, it brings to mind most vividly the scene in which Julia and Winston are together and the Thought Police come to arrest them, especially in the lines "Hold me closely now but don't, don't say anything/They've come to take me away/And won't leave until I'm gone".
I'm not sure if the song was written with the intention of having that connection, but I definitely see one, purposeful or not.
I'm not sure if the song was written with the intention of having that connection, but I definitely see one, purposeful or not.
I read in an interview with Davey how he said something about a couple songs, for the first time in their career as AFI, that there were a few political themes on the new record. He had also stated about how fucked up and polluted all forms of art and media have become these days. Now to me, this is one of those songs dealing with either/or of the above. He could be speaking of the government, or the media.
When I listen to this song, I can't help but just think of George Orwell's "1984" and this song being in that cultural setting.
If you've read "1984" then
"Don't speak don't say anything They've been recording all we say for years now" sort of makes sense in that regard. This lyric makes a lot of sense to me as well:
"What we captured got away, slipped from us"
And as for "You won't see them right away" explains maybe how "Big Brother" or the government, watches and listens to every move made and every word said. And you won't see them until you've broken the law in some aspect (or in "1984"s case, even said a codeword or phrase that may be deemed as a 'threat'). And the lyrics:
"They've come to take me away and won't leave until I'm gone" further verifies this point, as the government have come to take him away and will not leave without arresting him for whatever offense he has committed.
Also the lyric:
"Don't feel, don't love anything Love attracts all those who taint the cherished Don't try to, to change anything Nothing pure can ever stay"
And finally, "They'll say relax, you'll be fine" and "All we love goes away" is the government as such in 1984, and even in today's society, the government telling us that everything will be fine and not to worry. When somebody does something wrong, they go to jail, or are taken away from "All they love".
Sorry for the HUGE post, it's just my spin on the possible meaning of the song.
I love the socio-politacl/government take. I think you nailed it.
I love the socio-politacl/government take. I think you nailed it.
I have to agree completely. I can't listen to this song without thinking of 1984.
I have to agree completely. I can't listen to this song without thinking of 1984.
For me, it brings to mind most vividly the scene in which Julia and Winston are together and the Thought Police come to arrest them, especially in the lines "Hold me closely now but don't, don't say anything/They've come to take me away/And won't leave until I'm gone".
For me, it brings to mind most vividly the scene in which Julia and Winston are together and the Thought Police come to arrest them, especially in the lines "Hold me closely now but don't, don't say anything/They've come to take me away/And won't leave until I'm gone".
I'm not sure if the song was written with the intention of having that connection, but I definitely see one, purposeful or not.
I'm not sure if the song was written with the intention of having that connection, but I definitely see one, purposeful or not.