Despite invoking big ideas about the spirit, mind and universal human experience, Lateralus (and some of Aenima, like 46 & 2) were centered at the personal scale, the scale of a person's life journey. I think this song is literally about the voices rattling around in our head (the ones of our parents, mentors, friends, bullies, etc.) that we consult when making our decisions, where we get most of our morality from.
Ever imagine how a conversation would play out with a loved one who has passed away? Ever have the words of the people who hurt you most replaying in your head when you screw up? This is literally about culling those voices. Figuring out which ones are helpful, and which ones are just tripping you up. Nothing more or less.
Despite invoking big ideas about the spirit, mind and universal human experience, Lateralus (and some of Aenima, like 46 & 2) were centered at the personal scale, the scale of a person's life journey. I think this song is literally about the voices rattling around in our head (the ones of our parents, mentors, friends, bullies, etc.) that we consult when making our decisions, where we get most of our morality from.
Ever imagine how a conversation would play out with a loved one who has passed away? Ever have the words of the people who hurt you most replaying in your head when you screw up? This is literally about culling those voices. Figuring out which ones are helpful, and which ones are just tripping you up. Nothing more or less.