Sober Lyrics

Lyric discussion by iob890 

Cover art for Sober lyrics by Tool

It doesn't surprise me that people would really turn this toward religion. As against religion as Maynard or the band may be, i don't get that from this song.

Being someone who struggled with different addictions i can definitely relate to every line in this song.

"There's a shadow just behind me, Shrouding every step I take, Making every promise empty, Pointing every finger at me."

Drug/Alcohol addiction promises alot but there is always a price. People get high to feel good. However, You will feel empty when you aren't high, but you will be judged when you are. Hence the reason it makes "every promise empty and pointing every finger at me"

"Waiting like a stalking butler Who upon the finger rests. Murder now the path called "must we" Just before the son has come."

Addiction stands like a butler that follows you and like a butler it promises to help you through your day and the analogy of the butler on the finger as a way to use. Alot of drugs will lay on your finger especially if your snorting.

"The path called 'must we'" references to me the "Rules of the world". Kind of a Damned if you do Damned if you don't kind of thing. Addictions will tell the user that they need to not be concerned with what "needs to be done". Just sit back and use/drink/smoke/whatever.

"Jesus wont you Fucking Whistle Something but the past and done Jesus won't you Fucking whistle Something but the past and done"

Reaching out for answers but feeling like your past is the reason you won't ever find forgiveness or peace.(I mean come on how many of us have felt the negative effects of a night drinking/partying/smoking/whatever and gotten sick and cried out to God even if you don't believe he exists. "God if you get me out of this i'll never drink again".) Asking "Jesus if you are real all i want is a whistle" or "God if you are real now would be the time to show it".

"Why can't we not be sober? I just want to start this over. Why can't we drink forever. I just want to start things over."

This is the argument every person has at one time or another during their time of addiction. (if you haven't then congrats you are the first i've ever heard of.)

"I am just a worthless liar. I am just an imbecile. I will only complicate you. Trust in me and fall as well. I will find a center in you. I will chew it up and leave, I will work to elevate you Just enough to bring you down."

The reality of what our addictions bring in the end. And i'm not talking about the recreational or social users, i'm talking about the ADDICTS who need it. Those who cant function in their day without whatever their addiction is. (i'm not condemning, i was there at one point too and i know how that battle goes.)

So there's my take. it's all based on personal experience so i could be way off. I'm not personal friends with the band so obviously i can't say this is what they meant, but when i listen to this song, this is what it tells me.

โค๏ธ 3

Best interpretation I've seen on any song on the 'internetz' ever.

thats actually the opposite of the songs point. the song isn't about being addicted. its about if you can do drugs with out becoming an addict then fuck off and let me do drugs. source: Adam Jones

My Opinion

I have read a few comments regarding this song, and for once I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised to read some people actually believe in many respects that this song is primarily about God and the proof of his existence. I believe the reference to being sober refers to those who are not drunk on believing and or following God. This like MANY tool songs is about God...period!!! Maynard isn't "so deep", "so mysterious" he's a puppet, a pawn for the devil!!! The only reason this band is where they are is because they sold out to the...

My Opinion