Dance Gavin Dance's lyrics have always been terribly difficult to interpret, but I am going to go ahead and take a shot at this one. In my opinion, this song is a criticism of people who spew hate about religious people and their beliefs without trying to understand or even respect their beliefs. At first glance, this song may appear to be saying the direct opposite. However, there are a few lines that support my theory.
"I am lost
Need a god"
A religious person would not be claiming that they need "A GOD", they would saying that they need their one true god. Unless of course they believe in a religion with multiple gods, however these people are few and far between. Therefore, I think that it is just a person who should look into religion for peace and answers, but doesn't.
"Tickle my animal instincts, survive
Capable, sociable, subject, I'm part of the pack"
Many religions believe that humans are separate from animals. I am not saying that all religious people believe in creationism, just that humans are above animals because they can pray and worship. Why would someone who is religious be commenting on their animal side or being part of a pack?
"Don't have time to meditate the meaning of the rain
Synchronize our memories til we all think same way"
I think that meditate is an important word here. It shows that this person has never thought about the rain (or other natural occurrences like this) from a different perspective. It is just a lot easier to believe what they taught you in school (thereby synchronizing everyone's memories) and be done with it.
"Oh no he said a bad word
We should burn him at the stake, desecrate his name, spit on him from high horses exaggerate the shame
He's ignorant and vulgar
So evil we can tell, he'll surely rot in hell, a homophobic sociopath a menace to us all
He'll take the fall"
A major viewpoint of many religions is to be kind to others and accept everyone as they are. Of course, there are those religious zealots who are very homophobic and indeed sociopaths. In my opinion, these are the two very distinct stereotypes that get thrown around about religious people. Therefore, why would a kind and accepting religious person spew that kind of hatred about any person? Why would a zealous religious fanatic be spewing this kind of hate about something that they are?
With these factors considered, I believe the song is commenting on the fact that non-religious people are now doing the same thing religious people had done for many years - "Desecrate" the name of the non-believers. It is also saying that instead of considering the many viewpoints and belief systems out there, they just assume that everything they've heard and learned is true.
I personally do not believe in religion, however I have studied the subject to some extent and respect religious beliefs. Some of the things I see other non-religious people do and say to those with religions is horrifying. One example of this is how an Indiana pizza shop owner was forced to close down shop and go into hiding for expressing his religious belief. People even threatened to destroy/burn down his shop. In my opinion, DGD was trying to comment on events like this by basically saying that some non-religious people could really benefit from having god in their life.
I think it is exactly the opposite. It is pointing out the flaws that major have a tendency towards.
I think it is exactly the opposite. It is pointing out the flaws that major have a tendency towards.
Rather than "I am lost. Need a god" being taken literally, I think it is intended as being used ironic or patronizing. Many times religious people will hold their piety over people when the issue comes up. They just dismiss everyone who isn't religious as being amoral, which could be exaggerated to say that they follow their "animal instincts."
Rather than "I am lost. Need a god" being taken literally, I think it is intended as being used ironic or patronizing. Many times religious people will hold their piety over people when the issue comes up. They just dismiss everyone who isn't religious as being amoral, which could be exaggerated to say that they follow their "animal instincts."
Especially the part about "oh no he said a bad word..." Religious people have a tendency to...
Especially the part about "oh no he said a bad word..." Religious people have a tendency to overreact and make a big deal out of little things like that. I don't know a single atheist who has EVER cared if someone cusses. The Southern Baptists that are everywhere, down here in Texas, lose their minds of you say a cuss word.
That being said. I think it is very easy to expand that to include any group that tries to dismiss non members as not being good enough by saying they are "lost" etc. and tries to use BS moral high grounds. Even Athiests.
Side note:
That dude in Indiana tried to refuse service to a gay couple or something. This isn't the dark ages. If he is going to act like an asshole, he gets what he deserved. If you make a pizza shop and refuse to serve black people, you should get run out of business and town also. And yes, it is the same. There were just as many religious arguments to continue slavery and then segregation, so don't act like I'm making a leap here. Hate is hate. Cut it out.
@kyle103175 But look at the context of that set of lyrics ("Oh no, he said a bad word"). He goes on to describe this person who said something offensive as a "homomophobic sociopath, a menace to us all" The stereotypical religious person is typically portrayed as homophobic and would thereby not be the one speaking, but the one being spoken of.
@kyle103175 But look at the context of that set of lyrics ("Oh no, he said a bad word"). He goes on to describe this person who said something offensive as a "homomophobic sociopath, a menace to us all" The stereotypical religious person is typically portrayed as homophobic and would thereby not be the one speaking, but the one being spoken of.
Dance Gavin Dance's lyrics have always been terribly difficult to interpret, but I am going to go ahead and take a shot at this one. In my opinion, this song is a criticism of people who spew hate about religious people and their beliefs without trying to understand or even respect their beliefs. At first glance, this song may appear to be saying the direct opposite. However, there are a few lines that support my theory.
"I am lost Need a god"
A religious person would not be claiming that they need "A GOD", they would saying that they need their one true god. Unless of course they believe in a religion with multiple gods, however these people are few and far between. Therefore, I think that it is just a person who should look into religion for peace and answers, but doesn't.
"Tickle my animal instincts, survive Capable, sociable, subject, I'm part of the pack"
Many religions believe that humans are separate from animals. I am not saying that all religious people believe in creationism, just that humans are above animals because they can pray and worship. Why would someone who is religious be commenting on their animal side or being part of a pack?
"Don't have time to meditate the meaning of the rain Synchronize our memories til we all think same way" I think that meditate is an important word here. It shows that this person has never thought about the rain (or other natural occurrences like this) from a different perspective. It is just a lot easier to believe what they taught you in school (thereby synchronizing everyone's memories) and be done with it.
"Oh no he said a bad word We should burn him at the stake, desecrate his name, spit on him from high horses exaggerate the shame He's ignorant and vulgar So evil we can tell, he'll surely rot in hell, a homophobic sociopath a menace to us all He'll take the fall"
A major viewpoint of many religions is to be kind to others and accept everyone as they are. Of course, there are those religious zealots who are very homophobic and indeed sociopaths. In my opinion, these are the two very distinct stereotypes that get thrown around about religious people. Therefore, why would a kind and accepting religious person spew that kind of hatred about any person? Why would a zealous religious fanatic be spewing this kind of hate about something that they are?
With these factors considered, I believe the song is commenting on the fact that non-religious people are now doing the same thing religious people had done for many years - "Desecrate" the name of the non-believers. It is also saying that instead of considering the many viewpoints and belief systems out there, they just assume that everything they've heard and learned is true.
I personally do not believe in religion, however I have studied the subject to some extent and respect religious beliefs. Some of the things I see other non-religious people do and say to those with religions is horrifying. One example of this is how an Indiana pizza shop owner was forced to close down shop and go into hiding for expressing his religious belief. People even threatened to destroy/burn down his shop. In my opinion, DGD was trying to comment on events like this by basically saying that some non-religious people could really benefit from having god in their life.
Just my 2 cents though.
@kyle103175
@kyle103175
I think it is exactly the opposite. It is pointing out the flaws that major have a tendency towards.
I think it is exactly the opposite. It is pointing out the flaws that major have a tendency towards.
Rather than "I am lost. Need a god" being taken literally, I think it is intended as being used ironic or patronizing. Many times religious people will hold their piety over people when the issue comes up. They just dismiss everyone who isn't religious as being amoral, which could be exaggerated to say that they follow their "animal instincts."
Rather than "I am lost. Need a god" being taken literally, I think it is intended as being used ironic or patronizing. Many times religious people will hold their piety over people when the issue comes up. They just dismiss everyone who isn't religious as being amoral, which could be exaggerated to say that they follow their "animal instincts."
Especially the part about "oh no he said a bad word..." Religious people have a tendency to...
Especially the part about "oh no he said a bad word..." Religious people have a tendency to overreact and make a big deal out of little things like that. I don't know a single atheist who has EVER cared if someone cusses. The Southern Baptists that are everywhere, down here in Texas, lose their minds of you say a cuss word.
That being said. I think it is very easy to expand that to include any group that tries to dismiss non members as not being good enough by saying they are "lost" etc. and tries to use BS moral high grounds. Even Athiests.
Side note: That dude in Indiana tried to refuse service to a gay couple or something. This isn't the dark ages. If he is going to act like an asshole, he gets what he deserved. If you make a pizza shop and refuse to serve black people, you should get run out of business and town also. And yes, it is the same. There were just as many religious arguments to continue slavery and then segregation, so don't act like I'm making a leap here. Hate is hate. Cut it out.
@kyle103175 But look at the context of that set of lyrics ("Oh no, he said a bad word"). He goes on to describe this person who said something offensive as a "homomophobic sociopath, a menace to us all" The stereotypical religious person is typically portrayed as homophobic and would thereby not be the one speaking, but the one being spoken of.
@kyle103175 But look at the context of that set of lyrics ("Oh no, he said a bad word"). He goes on to describe this person who said something offensive as a "homomophobic sociopath, a menace to us all" The stereotypical religious person is typically portrayed as homophobic and would thereby not be the one speaking, but the one being spoken of.
@Notxa is who I intended to reply to with that last message lol
@Notxa is who I intended to reply to with that last message lol