This song is absolutely amazing. I really find a lot of clarity with my own issues and problems when listening to it. Basically, the way I have interpreted the lyrics is much like everyone else has.
First scenario there is a box, which can be a reference to a situation where someone is trapped, whether it be in a relationship or an occupation…etc. but the general feeling that the situation gives is that of being contained. And with that situation you have your options: you can crawl out the bottom and take action which may or may not have consequences or you can crawl out the top and ride out the situation. Of course there is a third option, like in all the scenarios of the songs which is to just give up and burn it up and essentially learn nothing from the situation and “disappear like smoke”.
The second scenario is very much the same except with the feeling of spinning or loss of control of a situation. The options there are, again, similar: take action and jump off or ride it out and see where it takes you. As well, you can always just burn it up and again learn nothing.
And finally the third scenario pulls everything together. The burning bridge suggests decision. So basically whether you are the person trapped in the box or the person spinning out of control on the mary-go-round: you are on a burning bridge and faced with three choices: HOPE that things will change, DEAL with it and take action to promote change, or QUIT and give up and essentially be caught on fire…which references to the point that burning the box or mary-go-round is essentially burning yourself and getting you nowhere.
This song is absolutely amazing. I really find a lot of clarity with my own issues and problems when listening to it. Basically, the way I have interpreted the lyrics is much like everyone else has.
First scenario there is a box, which can be a reference to a situation where someone is trapped, whether it be in a relationship or an occupation…etc. but the general feeling that the situation gives is that of being contained. And with that situation you have your options: you can crawl out the bottom and take action which may or may not have consequences or you can crawl out the top and ride out the situation. Of course there is a third option, like in all the scenarios of the songs which is to just give up and burn it up and essentially learn nothing from the situation and “disappear like smoke”.
The second scenario is very much the same except with the feeling of spinning or loss of control of a situation. The options there are, again, similar: take action and jump off or ride it out and see where it takes you. As well, you can always just burn it up and again learn nothing.
And finally the third scenario pulls everything together. The burning bridge suggests decision. So basically whether you are the person trapped in the box or the person spinning out of control on the mary-go-round: you are on a burning bridge and faced with three choices: HOPE that things will change, DEAL with it and take action to promote change, or QUIT and give up and essentially be caught on fire…which references to the point that burning the box or mary-go-round is essentially burning yourself and getting you nowhere.