This song seems to me to be about growing up in a malicious, collectivist society where being able to think for yourself is quietly discouraged.
The first two verses contrast his youthful anger and confusion (S.C.I.E.N.C.E.) with finally understanding his place and knowing who he must be (If Not Now, When?). In the second verse, he also encourages us to do the same. The problem is that we aren't doing anything about the problem. "Something's wrong when it all remains the same...face the fire, come into your name." We aren't meant to sit by as freedom dies, yet that is what we are doing. It's time to stand up and take your rightful place against those who wish to own you.
The chorus describes his past, being perhaps a young adult, recognizing the malice around him but being afraid to draw attention to his distaste for it. Eventually he is discovered and there is no turning back.
The rite of passage is the time between being one of the crowd and coming to grips with the burden and solitude of enlightened. He doesn't know exactly when it happened, but at some point he awakened to the darkness and was alive (think Vitamin) and "[thought] for the first time." Time gently slips by, then when he finally emerges from the darkness, he realizes that 10 years or more have passed. Time passes slowly, but waits for no one.
I think it is very important to put this song in context with previous albums and songs such as Defiance, Thieves, Adolescents, and Tomorrow's Food. Personally, I am thrilled to see this stripe shining as bright as ever!
I agree with most of BroMontana's lyrics, though I would say, "He was there with their eyes like glowing embers," rather than "It was there," as I think he is describing himself / the man. I also agree that it is "I was alive" and the bit about "ennui" seems right, too, just Americanized French to fit the rhyme and reason...
This song seems to me to be about growing up in a malicious, collectivist society where being able to think for yourself is quietly discouraged.
The first two verses contrast his youthful anger and confusion (S.C.I.E.N.C.E.) with finally understanding his place and knowing who he must be (If Not Now, When?). In the second verse, he also encourages us to do the same. The problem is that we aren't doing anything about the problem. "Something's wrong when it all remains the same...face the fire, come into your name." We aren't meant to sit by as freedom dies, yet that is what we are doing. It's time to stand up and take your rightful place against those who wish to own you.
The chorus describes his past, being perhaps a young adult, recognizing the malice around him but being afraid to draw attention to his distaste for it. Eventually he is discovered and there is no turning back.
The rite of passage is the time between being one of the crowd and coming to grips with the burden and solitude of enlightened. He doesn't know exactly when it happened, but at some point he awakened to the darkness and was alive (think Vitamin) and "[thought] for the first time." Time gently slips by, then when he finally emerges from the darkness, he realizes that 10 years or more have passed. Time passes slowly, but waits for no one.
I think it is very important to put this song in context with previous albums and songs such as Defiance, Thieves, Adolescents, and Tomorrow's Food. Personally, I am thrilled to see this stripe shining as bright as ever!
I agree with most of BroMontana's lyrics, though I would say, "He was there with their eyes like glowing embers," rather than "It was there," as I think he is describing himself / the man. I also agree that it is "I was alive" and the bit about "ennui" seems right, too, just Americanized French to fit the rhyme and reason...