Brendon said that this song was dedicated towards Spencer, which has swayed the way in what I believe the meaning is about.
I think it is about how Spencer was bottling up everything about his addiction, to the point where he was falling apart. However the reason he was bottling it up was also, ultimately, so he wouldn't look as though he had fallen apart in front of the people he loves and who cares about him.
The scene with the doctors links with the whole part of prescription drugs and what he was taking. Almost as if the Doctors were holding him back from getting the drugs, but in the end, they gave up and prescribed them (when Brendon was sedated).
The scene with the coffin could also be to suggest he knew his fate if he continued, but also that because of him bottling his emotions and secrets up, he was drowning. And the fact that Brendon was still wearing his converse highlights that he was comfortable in that outfit; they are casual. Demonstrating that Spencer felt comfortable knowing nobody knew about his secret even if it was tearing him apart from the inside out.
Then the scene with the splashing water and ropes can demonstrate his 'coming to terms' with his problems and trying to break free. The ropes could be a personification of himself trying to hold him back; to get back to the comfort of the secret and the drugs locked away inside of him 'till death do us part' (the coffin). However he managed to break free, therefore portraying his decision to receive help and announce it to fans.
@Hedaatthedisco I'm not sure you'll even see this since its been over a year since original post, but you have nailed it, my friend. This song is about Spencer's addiction (which we all know [also Hey! That's my name too!]). It is basically Brendon giving every body including Spencer that has some kind of illness or addiction that feel hopeless, some advice. This is Gospel (Listen up! What I'm going to tell you in the chorus is most definitely true.) Then the verse talks about who the gospel is for. It's for those who have fallen into their ways so...
@Hedaatthedisco I'm not sure you'll even see this since its been over a year since original post, but you have nailed it, my friend. This song is about Spencer's addiction (which we all know [also Hey! That's my name too!]). It is basically Brendon giving every body including Spencer that has some kind of illness or addiction that feel hopeless, some advice. This is Gospel (Listen up! What I'm going to tell you in the chorus is most definitely true.) Then the verse talks about who the gospel is for. It's for those who have fallen into their ways so far that they feel hopeless and can't get out. The part that confuses people the most is the part "Gnashing teeth and criminal tongues conspire against the odds, but they haven't seen the best of us yet." Brendon has a double meaning here. I'm almost certain. He is referring to Spencer and himself and how they can beat this thing together if they just try and trust their best efforts (they haven't seen the best of us yet.) Then it is also referring to the same person. The one that has falling into their ways and the one they need to become in order to go on. Then the chorus hits and reinforces that interpretation. "If you love me, let me go" it is the Spencer that wants so very bad to get better that is begging the version of himself that is addicted to prescription pills and is stuck. "These words are knives that often leave scars." He is talking about how fessing up to his problems to his loved ones are words that are so painful to let out to them that they cut deep. Probably a throw back to the self harm emo phase that was the mid-late 2000's in music and the one that P!ATD has been so unfairly labeled in (only because of the bad connotations that come with emo, even though they are unjust and shallow connotations.) "The fear of falling apart" obviously the fessing up part we were talking about that is so hard because being weak and falling apart in front of others is hard. I suffered from suicide and depression and have for a very long time and know how hard it was to come clean about it before it got so very close to my demise. So i am absolutely sure that that is what that means. "Truth betold I never was yours." Spencer talking to the troubled Spencer and how it this isn't him. Then he repeats "the fear of falling apart." saying 'But falling apart and seeking help is so difficult. I don't know if I can do it.' The way I see it, this song's ending is one of the best because he keeps repeating the line "The fear of falling apart." and I get this feeling of falling apart being more and more okay as the line is repeated. Used to bring a tear to my eye. I have to constantly remind myself of how beautiful this song really is. I hope Spencer is getting the proper help and I hope Brendon's friendship with him hasn't been damaged. Making music with a bandmate can be the best way to bond. A friendship that should never end. Breaks my heart knowing what happened to Spencer and what it's like to care about someone who is destroying themselves. Anyway, your interpretation was very good and your interpretation of the music video makes so much sense to me. Good work!
Brendon said that this song was dedicated towards Spencer, which has swayed the way in what I believe the meaning is about.
I think it is about how Spencer was bottling up everything about his addiction, to the point where he was falling apart. However the reason he was bottling it up was also, ultimately, so he wouldn't look as though he had fallen apart in front of the people he loves and who cares about him.
The scene with the doctors links with the whole part of prescription drugs and what he was taking. Almost as if the Doctors were holding him back from getting the drugs, but in the end, they gave up and prescribed them (when Brendon was sedated).
The scene with the coffin could also be to suggest he knew his fate if he continued, but also that because of him bottling his emotions and secrets up, he was drowning. And the fact that Brendon was still wearing his converse highlights that he was comfortable in that outfit; they are casual. Demonstrating that Spencer felt comfortable knowing nobody knew about his secret even if it was tearing him apart from the inside out.
Then the scene with the splashing water and ropes can demonstrate his 'coming to terms' with his problems and trying to break free. The ropes could be a personification of himself trying to hold him back; to get back to the comfort of the secret and the drugs locked away inside of him 'till death do us part' (the coffin). However he managed to break free, therefore portraying his decision to receive help and announce it to fans.
Just my interpretation. Thanks for reading :D
@Hedaatthedisco I'm not sure you'll even see this since its been over a year since original post, but you have nailed it, my friend. This song is about Spencer's addiction (which we all know [also Hey! That's my name too!]). It is basically Brendon giving every body including Spencer that has some kind of illness or addiction that feel hopeless, some advice. This is Gospel (Listen up! What I'm going to tell you in the chorus is most definitely true.) Then the verse talks about who the gospel is for. It's for those who have fallen into their ways so...
@Hedaatthedisco I'm not sure you'll even see this since its been over a year since original post, but you have nailed it, my friend. This song is about Spencer's addiction (which we all know [also Hey! That's my name too!]). It is basically Brendon giving every body including Spencer that has some kind of illness or addiction that feel hopeless, some advice. This is Gospel (Listen up! What I'm going to tell you in the chorus is most definitely true.) Then the verse talks about who the gospel is for. It's for those who have fallen into their ways so far that they feel hopeless and can't get out. The part that confuses people the most is the part "Gnashing teeth and criminal tongues conspire against the odds, but they haven't seen the best of us yet." Brendon has a double meaning here. I'm almost certain. He is referring to Spencer and himself and how they can beat this thing together if they just try and trust their best efforts (they haven't seen the best of us yet.) Then it is also referring to the same person. The one that has falling into their ways and the one they need to become in order to go on. Then the chorus hits and reinforces that interpretation. "If you love me, let me go" it is the Spencer that wants so very bad to get better that is begging the version of himself that is addicted to prescription pills and is stuck. "These words are knives that often leave scars." He is talking about how fessing up to his problems to his loved ones are words that are so painful to let out to them that they cut deep. Probably a throw back to the self harm emo phase that was the mid-late 2000's in music and the one that P!ATD has been so unfairly labeled in (only because of the bad connotations that come with emo, even though they are unjust and shallow connotations.) "The fear of falling apart" obviously the fessing up part we were talking about that is so hard because being weak and falling apart in front of others is hard. I suffered from suicide and depression and have for a very long time and know how hard it was to come clean about it before it got so very close to my demise. So i am absolutely sure that that is what that means. "Truth betold I never was yours." Spencer talking to the troubled Spencer and how it this isn't him. Then he repeats "the fear of falling apart." saying 'But falling apart and seeking help is so difficult. I don't know if I can do it.' The way I see it, this song's ending is one of the best because he keeps repeating the line "The fear of falling apart." and I get this feeling of falling apart being more and more okay as the line is repeated. Used to bring a tear to my eye. I have to constantly remind myself of how beautiful this song really is. I hope Spencer is getting the proper help and I hope Brendon's friendship with him hasn't been damaged. Making music with a bandmate can be the best way to bond. A friendship that should never end. Breaks my heart knowing what happened to Spencer and what it's like to care about someone who is destroying themselves. Anyway, your interpretation was very good and your interpretation of the music video makes so much sense to me. Good work!