As numerous people have said before, yes, the chorus is a double-negative. "Why can't we not be sober" is the equivalent of "Why can't we just be drunk". I don't know if anyone else said this already, but I think Maynard was being clever with this song; the narrator is a drunk and a selfish hypocrite. Yes, he is an alcoholic. The shadow behind him is his CONSCIENCE. It follows him everywhere no matter how much he drinks and "points every finger at him" (AKA he knows he is responsible for his own faults, but will not accept it). "I just want to start this over" refers to his excuse for drinking, he wants to lose himself in the liquor and "start over", or in reality act like all his problems don't exist. He knows he is just a worthless liar, and is not willing to do anything about it. Everyone who has ever cared about him, he only made their lives more complicated by causing them the pain of watching his addiction consume him; they trusted him to take care of himself, but he let them down (trust in me and fall as well). The people who loved him watched as he destroyed himself (I will find a center in you, I will chew it up and leave), and despite numerous attempts at rehab, no matter how good things looked, he always reverted back to drinking (I will work to elevate you, just enough to bring you down). "Trust me" is a contradiction to what he clearly says earlier (trust in me and fall as well), he tells other people to trust him, that he can take care of himself, when clearly he cannot. "I want what I want" reinforces how selfish he is, he doesn't care that he's hurting others by hurting himself, he wants to drink and he will continue to do so. Its a sad story in my eyes. There's lots of people like that in real life I think. Of course this is just my interpretation though. All music is interpreted differently by different people.
@HammerFloyd This is the best writing of what I felt when I was listening to this song. Thank you so much for writing something so correct in so few words.
@HammerFloyd This is the best writing of what I felt when I was listening to this song. Thank you so much for writing something so correct in so few words.
@HammerFloyd This is exactly right .... This is from the perspective of the alcoholic who is pissed that everyone keeps telling him to stop drinking. "Jesus won't you fucking whistle something but the past and done" has nothing to do with Jesus or religion. He is saying "Jesus" as in a curse - like "Jesus F-in Christ, would you shut up and talk about something else" - he's saying this to the people who are always on his case.
@HammerFloyd This is exactly right .... This is from the perspective of the alcoholic who is pissed that everyone keeps telling him to stop drinking. "Jesus won't you fucking whistle something but the past and done" has nothing to do with Jesus or religion. He is saying "Jesus" as in a curse - like "Jesus F-in Christ, would you shut up and talk about something else" - he's saying this to the people who are always on his case.
@HammerFloyd As someone who started my career working in drug and alcohol treatment facilities, and was engaged myself for a period of 8 years to an active alcoholic, I can tell you your reading of these lyrics as a portrayal of the addictive personality is spot on. Especially the "Trust me" part. Needless to say, the 8 year engagement didn't end well.
@HammerFloyd As someone who started my career working in drug and alcohol treatment facilities, and was engaged myself for a period of 8 years to an active alcoholic, I can tell you your reading of these lyrics as a portrayal of the addictive personality is spot on. Especially the "Trust me" part. Needless to say, the 8 year engagement didn't end well.
@HammerFloyd
Hi, one if the best comments on the lyrics of Sober that I've read. I just had to say something as I haven't thought about my alcoholism for a long time, I occasionally need reminding as I finally succeeded in overcoming my burden 18 years ago(probably the hardest thing I've ever done, as I originally really enjoyed social and going out, and wasn't addicted)
My addiction happened rather quickly...
(a year to becoming an extremely heavy drinker of vodka, a
"self-medicator" - which then lasted a year or so, including trying to hide the amount that I drunk. Litre of vodka daily, plus...
@HammerFloyd
Hi, one if the best comments on the lyrics of Sober that I've read. I just had to say something as I haven't thought about my alcoholism for a long time, I occasionally need reminding as I finally succeeded in overcoming my burden 18 years ago(probably the hardest thing I've ever done, as I originally really enjoyed social and going out, and wasn't addicted)
My addiction happened rather quickly...
(a year to becoming an extremely heavy drinker of vodka, a
"self-medicator" - which then lasted a year or so, including trying to hide the amount that I drunk. Litre of vodka daily, plus wines and beers. )
....in my late 30s after a series of circumstances.
I was successful after several failed attempts as an inpatient, then finally realising that it was causing others so much pain, and a specialist doctors support and encouragement. I was very lucky that my body managed to recover.
You are very perceptive. Plus excuse my messy sentences and paragraphs, I rarely type.
Regards
John in England.
As numerous people have said before, yes, the chorus is a double-negative. "Why can't we not be sober" is the equivalent of "Why can't we just be drunk". I don't know if anyone else said this already, but I think Maynard was being clever with this song; the narrator is a drunk and a selfish hypocrite. Yes, he is an alcoholic. The shadow behind him is his CONSCIENCE. It follows him everywhere no matter how much he drinks and "points every finger at him" (AKA he knows he is responsible for his own faults, but will not accept it). "I just want to start this over" refers to his excuse for drinking, he wants to lose himself in the liquor and "start over", or in reality act like all his problems don't exist. He knows he is just a worthless liar, and is not willing to do anything about it. Everyone who has ever cared about him, he only made their lives more complicated by causing them the pain of watching his addiction consume him; they trusted him to take care of himself, but he let them down (trust in me and fall as well). The people who loved him watched as he destroyed himself (I will find a center in you, I will chew it up and leave), and despite numerous attempts at rehab, no matter how good things looked, he always reverted back to drinking (I will work to elevate you, just enough to bring you down). "Trust me" is a contradiction to what he clearly says earlier (trust in me and fall as well), he tells other people to trust him, that he can take care of himself, when clearly he cannot. "I want what I want" reinforces how selfish he is, he doesn't care that he's hurting others by hurting himself, he wants to drink and he will continue to do so. Its a sad story in my eyes. There's lots of people like that in real life I think. Of course this is just my interpretation though. All music is interpreted differently by different people.
@HammerFloyd This is the best writing of what I felt when I was listening to this song. Thank you so much for writing something so correct in so few words.
@HammerFloyd This is the best writing of what I felt when I was listening to this song. Thank you so much for writing something so correct in so few words.
@HammerFloyd This is exactly right .... This is from the perspective of the alcoholic who is pissed that everyone keeps telling him to stop drinking. "Jesus won't you fucking whistle something but the past and done" has nothing to do with Jesus or religion. He is saying "Jesus" as in a curse - like "Jesus F-in Christ, would you shut up and talk about something else" - he's saying this to the people who are always on his case.
@HammerFloyd This is exactly right .... This is from the perspective of the alcoholic who is pissed that everyone keeps telling him to stop drinking. "Jesus won't you fucking whistle something but the past and done" has nothing to do with Jesus or religion. He is saying "Jesus" as in a curse - like "Jesus F-in Christ, would you shut up and talk about something else" - he's saying this to the people who are always on his case.
@HammerFloyd As someone who started my career working in drug and alcohol treatment facilities, and was engaged myself for a period of 8 years to an active alcoholic, I can tell you your reading of these lyrics as a portrayal of the addictive personality is spot on. Especially the "Trust me" part. Needless to say, the 8 year engagement didn't end well.
@HammerFloyd As someone who started my career working in drug and alcohol treatment facilities, and was engaged myself for a period of 8 years to an active alcoholic, I can tell you your reading of these lyrics as a portrayal of the addictive personality is spot on. Especially the "Trust me" part. Needless to say, the 8 year engagement didn't end well.
@HammerFloyd Hi, one if the best comments on the lyrics of Sober that I've read. I just had to say something as I haven't thought about my alcoholism for a long time, I occasionally need reminding as I finally succeeded in overcoming my burden 18 years ago(probably the hardest thing I've ever done, as I originally really enjoyed social and going out, and wasn't addicted) My addiction happened rather quickly... (a year to becoming an extremely heavy drinker of vodka, a "self-medicator" - which then lasted a year or so, including trying to hide the amount that I drunk. Litre of vodka daily, plus...
@HammerFloyd Hi, one if the best comments on the lyrics of Sober that I've read. I just had to say something as I haven't thought about my alcoholism for a long time, I occasionally need reminding as I finally succeeded in overcoming my burden 18 years ago(probably the hardest thing I've ever done, as I originally really enjoyed social and going out, and wasn't addicted) My addiction happened rather quickly... (a year to becoming an extremely heavy drinker of vodka, a "self-medicator" - which then lasted a year or so, including trying to hide the amount that I drunk. Litre of vodka daily, plus wines and beers. ) ....in my late 30s after a series of circumstances. I was successful after several failed attempts as an inpatient, then finally realising that it was causing others so much pain, and a specialist doctors support and encouragement. I was very lucky that my body managed to recover. You are very perceptive. Plus excuse my messy sentences and paragraphs, I rarely type. Regards John in England.
@HammerFloyd the song is written in code.. nice try but you can do a better interpretation\r\n
@HammerFloyd the song is written in code.. nice try but you can do a better interpretation\r\n