I think the central point of the song is certainly that it can be about anyone, but certain clues point towards the fact that it may have originally been about/inspired by self-hate. Along with the things already mentioned, can I note how hard it actually is to sing this - the first verse, that huge chunk, is said in one gulp, there's practically no pause and you need really good timing and breath management to pull it off. Then at the end of the verse, the last line comes in with the heavy guitar and reinforcement : "why the fuck are you looking at me?"
It's then repeated and is the most prominent line in the song. It's meant to come as a surprise; after all, it's already been said that they'll never meet - so why INDEED are they looking at him? This is I think the biggest question to be settled. If we go with the celebrity theory, which is one of the many possible (not wrong) interpretations, it would have to be because they're looking at a picture/video of the person staring back at them. But that doesn't make any sense; it's really quite an ordinary thing, not deserving the loud crash of guitars and drums and such.
The only way it can make such a jarring psychological impact on the person writing the song is if it's a personal realisation - they've been hating this singular person/their faults so much, and finally they can bear to admit to themselves that it's actually self-hate.
Fascinating...much like you and how your big brain works. Nice interpretation. This scum is going to bed now...finally. Breathe. Everything looks rosier when the sun comes up. Enjoy your Sunday.
Fascinating...much like you and how your big brain works. Nice interpretation. This scum is going to bed now...finally. Breathe. Everything looks rosier when the sun comes up. Enjoy your Sunday.
I think the central point of the song is certainly that it can be about anyone, but certain clues point towards the fact that it may have originally been about/inspired by self-hate. Along with the things already mentioned, can I note how hard it actually is to sing this - the first verse, that huge chunk, is said in one gulp, there's practically no pause and you need really good timing and breath management to pull it off. Then at the end of the verse, the last line comes in with the heavy guitar and reinforcement : "why the fuck are you looking at me?"
It's then repeated and is the most prominent line in the song. It's meant to come as a surprise; after all, it's already been said that they'll never meet - so why INDEED are they looking at him? This is I think the biggest question to be settled. If we go with the celebrity theory, which is one of the many possible (not wrong) interpretations, it would have to be because they're looking at a picture/video of the person staring back at them. But that doesn't make any sense; it's really quite an ordinary thing, not deserving the loud crash of guitars and drums and such.
The only way it can make such a jarring psychological impact on the person writing the song is if it's a personal realisation - they've been hating this singular person/their faults so much, and finally they can bear to admit to themselves that it's actually self-hate.
Fascinating...much like you and how your big brain works. Nice interpretation. This scum is going to bed now...finally. Breathe. Everything looks rosier when the sun comes up. Enjoy your Sunday.
Fascinating...much like you and how your big brain works. Nice interpretation. This scum is going to bed now...finally. Breathe. Everything looks rosier when the sun comes up. Enjoy your Sunday.