Totally agree with everything clone22221111333 said, above. You totally hit the nail on the head regarding what I think Dan was trying to impart with this song.
IMO it IS about the band's evolution; his relationship with music; and the attitude of the press and fans.
The lyrics seems to be saying: "This is the direction the band is heading in NOW. If you don't like it, that's too bad." Dan is saying he has no intention of sitting still and resting on his (grungy old) laurels for the rest of his life.
In addition, the part that goes "a chance to die enhances growth" might mean that when he was really sick with anorexia and depression, he had a chance to die/kill himself (a-la Kurt Cobain) thereby cementing his legacy by dying young - but instead, he chose to live, grow up, move on...
Totally agree with everything clone22221111333 said, above. You totally hit the nail on the head regarding what I think Dan was trying to impart with this song.
IMO it IS about the band's evolution; his relationship with music; and the attitude of the press and fans.
The lyrics seems to be saying: "This is the direction the band is heading in NOW. If you don't like it, that's too bad." Dan is saying he has no intention of sitting still and resting on his (grungy old) laurels for the rest of his life.
In addition, the part that goes "a chance to die enhances growth" might mean that when he was really sick with anorexia and depression, he had a chance to die/kill himself (a-la Kurt Cobain) thereby cementing his legacy by dying young - but instead, he chose to live, grow up, move on...