There is a lot of controversy in this band over lead singer John O'Callaghan's sexual orientation. However, I think it is clear that John is somewhat asexual. Whether he has not allowed himself to like girls or whether he feels no sexual attraction, he hasn't had serious relationships or at least has not mentioned or expressed them. I see "These Four Words" as O'Callaghan's mature claim to who he is. As being the Maine's fourth studio album, they have come a long way from CSWS, in which O'Callaghan admitted his asexuality during the 2008 Vans Warped Tour. Even though the opening line of this song appears childish, the fact that John is blatantly expressing his need of self sexual satisfaction rather than intimacy with another human, he really is almost making fun of himself for being asexual. I don't think it's something John wanted, and in fact I think he's quite ashamed of himself as he is a pretty large sex icon in the eyes of his fans and cannot live up to this.
John continues his proclamation throughout the song, "I can't take my heart someplace it won't go" could defintely be seen as John being unable to find attraction or commitment to a girl, but I personally see it in terms of the fact that he physically is unable to be sexually attached to any other person other than himself. Again, I really think John is ashamed of his asexuality as he calls himself a "boy" in the second verse and is reducing himself to a childlike figure that cannot possibly take sexual commitment or action.
In the end, John has recently stated in interviews that this is the most personal song he has ever written. Yes, he did write it without the help of any other members of The Maine. At first, I questioned John, thinking his work in Pioneer was surely more emotional than These Four Words, but after connecting it to his fight over his own sexuality, this was almost a complete outing of John as an asexual to his fanbase.
There is a lot of controversy in this band over lead singer John O'Callaghan's sexual orientation. However, I think it is clear that John is somewhat asexual. Whether he has not allowed himself to like girls or whether he feels no sexual attraction, he hasn't had serious relationships or at least has not mentioned or expressed them. I see "These Four Words" as O'Callaghan's mature claim to who he is. As being the Maine's fourth studio album, they have come a long way from CSWS, in which O'Callaghan admitted his asexuality during the 2008 Vans Warped Tour. Even though the opening line of this song appears childish, the fact that John is blatantly expressing his need of self sexual satisfaction rather than intimacy with another human, he really is almost making fun of himself for being asexual. I don't think it's something John wanted, and in fact I think he's quite ashamed of himself as he is a pretty large sex icon in the eyes of his fans and cannot live up to this.
John continues his proclamation throughout the song, "I can't take my heart someplace it won't go" could defintely be seen as John being unable to find attraction or commitment to a girl, but I personally see it in terms of the fact that he physically is unable to be sexually attached to any other person other than himself. Again, I really think John is ashamed of his asexuality as he calls himself a "boy" in the second verse and is reducing himself to a childlike figure that cannot possibly take sexual commitment or action.
In the end, John has recently stated in interviews that this is the most personal song he has ever written. Yes, he did write it without the help of any other members of The Maine. At first, I questioned John, thinking his work in Pioneer was surely more emotional than These Four Words, but after connecting it to his fight over his own sexuality, this was almost a complete outing of John as an asexual to his fanbase.
John, I love you. Keep shining :)