My initial thought was drawn to the idea of a new pin not only being a drug reference, which certainly makes sense, but of a trophy metaphor as well (an "ornament").
People collect pins as a means of displaying them. A new pin in this case would refer to a new exploit, accomplishment, or prize (politicians campaign buttons, military stripes, celebrity awards, etc.). The line "but its all for you" and it's subsequent refrains seem mocking or self-reassuring depending on the context, suggesting the character's skewed and/or aggrandized sense of reality. "Kings" and "queens" throughout history have been known to display wealth and use their platforms to acquire more and more "ornaments", proclaiming humility to their people while neglecting them, and alienating themselves from others. Here, the lyrical perspective is male, suggesting women or "queens" might be ornaments as well (just look at Henry VIII).
The parallels between drug addiction and wealth addiction are compelling. Severe drug addiction's course involves diminishing euphoric effects as the dosage increases with each mainline. As this continues, it can lead to alienation, poor health, crime, depression, overdose and ultimately death. Wealth acquisition is like any other addiction or obsession. Once it becomes excessive, the high becomes less and less intense, requiring greater amounts, which can lead to unfortunate events (i.e. infidelity, paranoia, greed, erratic behavior, bankruptcy, revolts, murder, suicide). History is full of examples of prominent figures who become so alienated by their own obsessions, they go mad, lose control over their obsessions, and make terrible choices that undermine their reputations, all the while never realizing their courses of action as it relates to their own mortality.
The use of the word "gospels" points the finger squarely at Christianity, a religion with its own history of opulence and influence. Anger is expressed towards Christianity's lies, lies that may have been believed by the character at one point. Now, they are "tactless sentiments", "a new pain", which suggests an older pain. This pain could be the absence of the one he misses the most, the source of his obsession (perhaps a loved one, power, happiness, drugs, etc.). In this context, "and its all for you" becomes melancholy.
In summation, I think the song is about a person who alienates himself and his obsession(s) from others, justifying his obsession(s) as he struggles with his own pain and conscience, all the while finding no solace in what he once believed because of the pain. The only escape is his obsession.
"So I got all these things, but so what? In the end you can't take them with you."
My initial thought was drawn to the idea of a new pin not only being a drug reference, which certainly makes sense, but of a trophy metaphor as well (an "ornament").
People collect pins as a means of displaying them. A new pin in this case would refer to a new exploit, accomplishment, or prize (politicians campaign buttons, military stripes, celebrity awards, etc.). The line "but its all for you" and it's subsequent refrains seem mocking or self-reassuring depending on the context, suggesting the character's skewed and/or aggrandized sense of reality. "Kings" and "queens" throughout history have been known to display wealth and use their platforms to acquire more and more "ornaments", proclaiming humility to their people while neglecting them, and alienating themselves from others. Here, the lyrical perspective is male, suggesting women or "queens" might be ornaments as well (just look at Henry VIII).
The parallels between drug addiction and wealth addiction are compelling. Severe drug addiction's course involves diminishing euphoric effects as the dosage increases with each mainline. As this continues, it can lead to alienation, poor health, crime, depression, overdose and ultimately death. Wealth acquisition is like any other addiction or obsession. Once it becomes excessive, the high becomes less and less intense, requiring greater amounts, which can lead to unfortunate events (i.e. infidelity, paranoia, greed, erratic behavior, bankruptcy, revolts, murder, suicide). History is full of examples of prominent figures who become so alienated by their own obsessions, they go mad, lose control over their obsessions, and make terrible choices that undermine their reputations, all the while never realizing their courses of action as it relates to their own mortality.
The use of the word "gospels" points the finger squarely at Christianity, a religion with its own history of opulence and influence. Anger is expressed towards Christianity's lies, lies that may have been believed by the character at one point. Now, they are "tactless sentiments", "a new pain", which suggests an older pain. This pain could be the absence of the one he misses the most, the source of his obsession (perhaps a loved one, power, happiness, drugs, etc.). In this context, "and its all for you" becomes melancholy.
In summation, I think the song is about a person who alienates himself and his obsession(s) from others, justifying his obsession(s) as he struggles with his own pain and conscience, all the while finding no solace in what he once believed because of the pain. The only escape is his obsession.
"So I got all these things, but so what? In the end you can't take them with you."