If you take into account the double negatives(triple in one instance) this song is subject to multiple conflicting interpretations.
The content of the verses is somewhat unsettling in regards to the state of modern thought:
"We can sell your dreams"
Commercialism. Everyone dreams of fame in some form. Have you ever fantasized about being a rock star? Note the usage of "we" throughout the song.
"You don't need sympathy
They got a pill for everything"
Pharmaceuticals - Don't worry about those troublesome emotions. Suppress with technology.
"We're the ones who start little fires
Yet they burn out"
Recreational drugs - Yes, I know there are other interpretations to this verse. They have a powerful effect when "on the rise" but leave you wanting when you come down.
"Who cares if hell awaits?"
"We know that we're helpless"
Apathy - Lack of concern about the future. Unwillingness to improve even in the face of consequence.
We have all these problems but we don't need religion. Do we? Perhaps this artist thinks we do. Maybe not Christianity, but something that's better adapted to our modern condition and, above all, not governed by materialism.
Double Negatives:
We don't need no modern Jesus = We need modern Jesus
'Cause we won't sell you nothing You can't use = We will sell you something you can't use
"We don't need no modern Jesus = We need modern Jesus"
"We don't need no modern Jesus = We need modern Jesus"
Technically correct but colloquially flawed. "don't need no" in common usage resolves into "don't need". There's was a popular meme earlier this year of a woman saying "Ain't nobody got time for that!" which is similar. "ain't nobody", if you can get past the use of "ain't", should result in a double negative that means "everyone", but colloquially it doesn't . . . it is intended to mean "Nobody has time for that."
Technically correct but colloquially flawed. "don't need no" in common usage resolves into "don't need". There's was a popular meme earlier this year of a woman saying "Ain't nobody got time for that!" which is similar. "ain't nobody", if you can get past the use of "ain't", should result in a double negative that means "everyone", but colloquially it doesn't . . . it is intended to mean "Nobody has time for that."
Double and triple negatives...
Double and triple negatives in common language use can't really be filtered through strict grammar rules, that's rarely the intent.
I do not disagree that, when used colloquially, a double negative serves to reinforce the negative instead of nullifying it. That said, the ambiguity of language allows for the embedding of multiple meanings into a single statement allowing for either interpretation to be correct. I agree, it is unlikely that the lyrics are meant to be interpreted outside the colloquial sense but the possibility remains. If you are willing to acknowledge PTM's status as a cultural vector for a particular influential non-public organization, this possibility seems much more likely.
I do not disagree that, when used colloquially, a double negative serves to reinforce the negative instead of nullifying it. That said, the ambiguity of language allows for the embedding of multiple meanings into a single statement allowing for either interpretation to be correct. I agree, it is unlikely that the lyrics are meant to be interpreted outside the colloquial sense but the possibility remains. If you are willing to acknowledge PTM's status as a cultural vector for a particular influential non-public organization, this possibility seems much more likely.
If you take into account the double negatives(triple in one instance) this song is subject to multiple conflicting interpretations.
The content of the verses is somewhat unsettling in regards to the state of modern thought:
"We can sell your dreams" Commercialism. Everyone dreams of fame in some form. Have you ever fantasized about being a rock star? Note the usage of "we" throughout the song.
"You don't need sympathy They got a pill for everything" Pharmaceuticals - Don't worry about those troublesome emotions. Suppress with technology.
"We're the ones who start little fires Yet they burn out" Recreational drugs - Yes, I know there are other interpretations to this verse. They have a powerful effect when "on the rise" but leave you wanting when you come down.
"Who cares if hell awaits?" "We know that we're helpless" Apathy - Lack of concern about the future. Unwillingness to improve even in the face of consequence.
We have all these problems but we don't need religion. Do we? Perhaps this artist thinks we do. Maybe not Christianity, but something that's better adapted to our modern condition and, above all, not governed by materialism.
Double Negatives:
We don't need no modern Jesus = We need modern Jesus
'Cause we won't sell you nothing You can't use = We will sell you something you can't use
"We don't need no modern Jesus = We need modern Jesus"
"We don't need no modern Jesus = We need modern Jesus"
Technically correct but colloquially flawed. "don't need no" in common usage resolves into "don't need". There's was a popular meme earlier this year of a woman saying "Ain't nobody got time for that!" which is similar. "ain't nobody", if you can get past the use of "ain't", should result in a double negative that means "everyone", but colloquially it doesn't . . . it is intended to mean "Nobody has time for that."
Technically correct but colloquially flawed. "don't need no" in common usage resolves into "don't need". There's was a popular meme earlier this year of a woman saying "Ain't nobody got time for that!" which is similar. "ain't nobody", if you can get past the use of "ain't", should result in a double negative that means "everyone", but colloquially it doesn't . . . it is intended to mean "Nobody has time for that."
Double and triple negatives...
Double and triple negatives in common language use can't really be filtered through strict grammar rules, that's rarely the intent.
I do not disagree that, when used colloquially, a double negative serves to reinforce the negative instead of nullifying it. That said, the ambiguity of language allows for the embedding of multiple meanings into a single statement allowing for either interpretation to be correct. I agree, it is unlikely that the lyrics are meant to be interpreted outside the colloquial sense but the possibility remains. If you are willing to acknowledge PTM's status as a cultural vector for a particular influential non-public organization, this possibility seems much more likely.
I do not disagree that, when used colloquially, a double negative serves to reinforce the negative instead of nullifying it. That said, the ambiguity of language allows for the embedding of multiple meanings into a single statement allowing for either interpretation to be correct. I agree, it is unlikely that the lyrics are meant to be interpreted outside the colloquial sense but the possibility remains. If you are willing to acknowledge PTM's status as a cultural vector for a particular influential non-public organization, this possibility seems much more likely.
It's called a litote. It's used for understated emphasis. Ironically, you can find numerous examples in the Bible.
It's called a litote. It's used for understated emphasis. Ironically, you can find numerous examples in the Bible.