The person in question is clearly someone who in Maynard's mind was an idol (I think either politician, activist or fellow musician). The river represents the flow of human adoration and celebrity to which this idol has succumbed to and become a "bloated carcass" of their former self. This person may deny having really changed ("showing only bits and pieces") however when they speak publicly to their fans/supporters their intents cannot be denied anymore ("till the tide betrays you"). They seemed to have done what would have made the masses happy rather than what they thought was right through lines like "pounding waves of adoration, Pied Piper float on down the river." As said in previous comments to be symbolized as a "Pied Piper" this person must have been a great public speaker who attracted supporters through their ideals and held the confidence of many people. Throughout all of this Maynard is trying to hold onto the image of what the person used to be to him with little success.
@monsterosity I'm curious because the Pied Piper was hired to rid the city of rats and when the city failed to pay him him used his skill to lure the city's children into the forest, never to be seen again. Using music to attract the children, much the same way a music artist does.
@monsterosity I'm curious because the Pied Piper was hired to rid the city of rats and when the city failed to pay him him used his skill to lure the city's children into the forest, never to be seen again. Using music to attract the children, much the same way a music artist does.
There's no wrong interpretation, as my English teacher once said; but I think you and Androgyne are on point.
There's no wrong interpretation, as my English teacher once said; but I think you and Androgyne are on point.
@monsterosity I agree with everything you have stated about this song. I believe this is about L.Ron Hubbard. If you know Maynard\'s history with Hubbard, then you know that Maynard felt betrayed by what Hubbard ended up being. Hubbard is the Pied Piper, luring in people that need something to believe in, with his empty elocution. Maynard was drawn into this propaganda because of what happen with his mother. He felt he had found someone he could believe in and look up to, who felt the same way he did. The image he had built up in his head, of...
@monsterosity I agree with everything you have stated about this song. I believe this is about L.Ron Hubbard. If you know Maynard\'s history with Hubbard, then you know that Maynard felt betrayed by what Hubbard ended up being. Hubbard is the Pied Piper, luring in people that need something to believe in, with his empty elocution. Maynard was drawn into this propaganda because of what happen with his mother. He felt he had found someone he could believe in and look up to, who felt the same way he did. The image he had built up in his head, of who this person was to him, is why it\'s not easy to hold on to that image of them. Because he now knows the truth about this person. He idolized Hubbard and was let down and disappointed by him. The song Eulogy off the Aenima album goes into more of his feelings on Hubbard. So it\'s very easy to put Hubbard as the lead influance to this song.
The person in question is clearly someone who in Maynard's mind was an idol (I think either politician, activist or fellow musician). The river represents the flow of human adoration and celebrity to which this idol has succumbed to and become a "bloated carcass" of their former self. This person may deny having really changed ("showing only bits and pieces") however when they speak publicly to their fans/supporters their intents cannot be denied anymore ("till the tide betrays you"). They seemed to have done what would have made the masses happy rather than what they thought was right through lines like "pounding waves of adoration, Pied Piper float on down the river." As said in previous comments to be symbolized as a "Pied Piper" this person must have been a great public speaker who attracted supporters through their ideals and held the confidence of many people. Throughout all of this Maynard is trying to hold onto the image of what the person used to be to him with little success.
L. Ron Hubbard, maybe? Haha. Or is he just a Tool thing?
L. Ron Hubbard, maybe? Haha. Or is he just a Tool thing?
@monsterosity I'm curious because the Pied Piper was hired to rid the city of rats and when the city failed to pay him him used his skill to lure the city's children into the forest, never to be seen again. Using music to attract the children, much the same way a music artist does.
@monsterosity I'm curious because the Pied Piper was hired to rid the city of rats and when the city failed to pay him him used his skill to lure the city's children into the forest, never to be seen again. Using music to attract the children, much the same way a music artist does.
There's no wrong interpretation, as my English teacher once said; but I think you and Androgyne are on point.
There's no wrong interpretation, as my English teacher once said; but I think you and Androgyne are on point.
@monsterosity I agree with everything you have stated about this song. I believe this is about L.Ron Hubbard. If you know Maynard\'s history with Hubbard, then you know that Maynard felt betrayed by what Hubbard ended up being. Hubbard is the Pied Piper, luring in people that need something to believe in, with his empty elocution. Maynard was drawn into this propaganda because of what happen with his mother. He felt he had found someone he could believe in and look up to, who felt the same way he did. The image he had built up in his head, of...
@monsterosity I agree with everything you have stated about this song. I believe this is about L.Ron Hubbard. If you know Maynard\'s history with Hubbard, then you know that Maynard felt betrayed by what Hubbard ended up being. Hubbard is the Pied Piper, luring in people that need something to believe in, with his empty elocution. Maynard was drawn into this propaganda because of what happen with his mother. He felt he had found someone he could believe in and look up to, who felt the same way he did. The image he had built up in his head, of who this person was to him, is why it\'s not easy to hold on to that image of them. Because he now knows the truth about this person. He idolized Hubbard and was let down and disappointed by him. The song Eulogy off the Aenima album goes into more of his feelings on Hubbard. So it\'s very easy to put Hubbard as the lead influance to this song.