JamesPr
09-12-2008, 08:40 PM
(I’m not sure if this theory has been discussed before but here is my opinion on the meaning behind each and every serious Tool lyric.)
“If there were no rewards to reap
No loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away
By now”
- The Patient
What is the tedious path? Life?
What is the loving embrace? God?
What is he walking away from?
These questions are open-ended and have no definitive answer. There are hundreds of posts where each author attempts to formulate his or her own opinion on what the lyrics mean. What if Maynard James Keenan purposely writes lyrics with unclear meanings as an outlet for others to think, reason, and question serious topics? These topics can encompass religion, philosophy, spirituality, love, hatred, among other things.
Look at these quotes from the front page entering toolshed’s forums,
“I read the interpretations of the lyrics that people send to [the tool web] page. They’re way off, but that’s fine.”
Are the interpretations way off from what Maynard intended? Or is the entire concept of interpreting the songs way off? Maynard may have a clear-cut meaning behind his lyrics; he also may have a meaning that is entirely what the onlooker formulates it to be. Each song could then be inspiration to delve into a serious topic for the interpreters.
Maynard is also quoted as saying, “I’m not going to spoonfeed any-body and rob them of their own personal experiences.”
Personal experience could be the force driving intellectual discussion for each and every song. I’m not trying to say that there is an exact motive to the lyrics. Generally, I feel that Maynard may be referring to personal experiences as guides directing our insights. If we neglect another’s personal experiences when comprehending lyrics, then we are alienating ourselves from another’s insight.
Tool has inspired me to learn about life itself. Religion, spirituality, and philosophy are topics that enter into many Tool songs. These are some of the most important and rewarding subjects to study in life. Whether or not you are religious or spiritual, you cannot discount the affect these two subjects have had on humanity. The more knowledgeable we become about other people and their cultures, the more capable we are to understand other people and ourselves.
“If there were no rewards to reap
No loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away
By now”
- The Patient
What is the tedious path? Life?
What is the loving embrace? God?
What is he walking away from?
These questions are open-ended and have no definitive answer. There are hundreds of posts where each author attempts to formulate his or her own opinion on what the lyrics mean. What if Maynard James Keenan purposely writes lyrics with unclear meanings as an outlet for others to think, reason, and question serious topics? These topics can encompass religion, philosophy, spirituality, love, hatred, among other things.
Look at these quotes from the front page entering toolshed’s forums,
“I read the interpretations of the lyrics that people send to [the tool web] page. They’re way off, but that’s fine.”
Are the interpretations way off from what Maynard intended? Or is the entire concept of interpreting the songs way off? Maynard may have a clear-cut meaning behind his lyrics; he also may have a meaning that is entirely what the onlooker formulates it to be. Each song could then be inspiration to delve into a serious topic for the interpreters.
Maynard is also quoted as saying, “I’m not going to spoonfeed any-body and rob them of their own personal experiences.”
Personal experience could be the force driving intellectual discussion for each and every song. I’m not trying to say that there is an exact motive to the lyrics. Generally, I feel that Maynard may be referring to personal experiences as guides directing our insights. If we neglect another’s personal experiences when comprehending lyrics, then we are alienating ourselves from another’s insight.
Tool has inspired me to learn about life itself. Religion, spirituality, and philosophy are topics that enter into many Tool songs. These are some of the most important and rewarding subjects to study in life. Whether or not you are religious or spiritual, you cannot discount the affect these two subjects have had on humanity. The more knowledgeable we become about other people and their cultures, the more capable we are to understand other people and ourselves.