More Relevant Today?

[Mr. Parabola]

When I clicked on the link to the 'post new thread' option, I saw a message saying that nobody had written about this song in the last 30 days. I think that's a damn shame, because I feel that Swamp Song has only become better with time.

Let's look at the lyrics: "My warning meant nothing/you're dancing in quicksand/...Why don't you watch where you're stumbling?" Later: "This bog is thick and easy to get lost in/when you're a stupid, dumbass, beligerant fucker." And finally, "no one even invited you in."

Sound familiar? A dumbass ignores warnings and gets stuck in a quagmire. Released only a year after Gulf War I, Undertow seems to foreshadow the current Bush's misadventures abroad.

Obviously no one in 1993 (not even Maynard) could have predicted September 11th and the resulting war on terror with its primary battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq. And no one could have predicted that said wars would be initiated and led by a group of, "stupid...beligerent fucker[s]" that need to be "suck[ed] down."

To me, this goes to show that the best of Tool's music has a timeless quality. It's a shame that they really haven't played material from Undertow and Opiate on the latest tour - Swamp Song would be right at home next to The Pot or Vicarious.

[8moremucscles]

I definately agree with the "timeless quality" that their music boasts. The song itself could be looked at as a warning. The Bush legacy sent us over there once...didn't listen to the warning...and now we are back. Like a bunch of "dumbass beligerant fuckers."

[HelenA]

Excellent! I am new to Tool so I find myself discovering songs in an almost random way - and this is my "new" discovery. Such a great song. And it could be applied in SO many situations. I love it - I love the whole album.

It is so great to come to this forum and find something insightful and interesting. I just wish I could navigate my way around the archives and then I could access all the "historical" posts.

[8moremucscles]

Its always good to see new people who have discovered what TOOL has to offer. I think that the great thing about TOOL is that all of their songs seem to have so many different meanings to so many people. Thats what makes them so great!

[J Stebbins]

I agree with most of that, not necesarilly towards politics, but the present time in general. People advance into things without any awareness/experience. All of the commercials about weight loss and muscle gain, all the supplements and books and things like that, people just see it and buy it not knowing that it's most likely a scam. Or as a reference to TDN, a n00b posting something that's already been discussed and just getting flamed for it, walking into quicksand.

[A-Bomb]

A lot of times I listen to pandora.com for new songs in work, instead of doing my work. This is one of those songs that I've heard plenty of times so far in my life, but when it comes on I just can't skip it. It's so badass. Especially on headphones.

[HelenA]

It is a GREAT song. You can apply it to anything. It is deeply theraputic. Turn it up LOUD!

[mjkajdcjc]

It is a GREAT song. You can apply it to anything. It is deeply theraputic. Turn it up LOUD!

Exactly. I think that's just what this song was for- a way to rock out and release your stresses on whoever screws with you. Top 5 on the album for sure.

[jonboy]

To me, this goes to show that the best of Tool's music has a timeless quality. It's a shame that they really haven't played material from Undertow and Opiate on the latest tour - Swamp Song would be right at home next to The Pot or Vicarious.

Wow. Your wish has come true. Fuckin brilliant observation.

[HelenA]

It is SO great to hear that they are playing this song again - I guess that is because it does have that universal quality of being relevant for such a (pitiful) time.

[mr. nikki jensen]

Yeah, that´s probably why they play it again.

yea, i think you are right

[2and46]

your dancing in quicksand...

[ktdude]

it's been great to hear it live. and you're right, it fits right in with the newer stuff, it's great to hear it live and of course, the older fans have all been going mental for it

[mr. nikki jensen]

im looking forward to hear it if tool hits the land of danes next summer

[HelenA]

I would LOVE to hear it in Sydney - one of my favourite Tool songs. One of my favourite songs.

[HelenA]

your dancing in quicksand...

I love the way the drums sound like they are dancing on quicksand too.

[seneca77]

i agree with the timeless qualities of this track.

here is another example of timeless lyrics

Eye of the Beholder

Do You See What I See?
Truth Is an Offence
You Silence for Your Confidence
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Doors Are Slamming Shut
Limit Your Imagination, Keep You Where They must
Do You Feel What I Feel?
Bittering Distress
Who Decides What You Express
Do You Take What I Take?
Endurance Is the Word
Moving Back Instead of Forward Seems to Me Absurd

Doesn't Matter What You See?
Or into it What You Read
You Can Do it Your Own Way
If It's Done Just How I Say

Independence Limited
Freedom of Choice
Choice Is Made for You My Friend
Freedom of Speech
Speech Is Words That They Will Bend
Freedom with Their Exception

Do You Fear What I Fear?
Living Properly
Truths to You Are Lies to Me
Do You Choose What I Choose?
More Alternives
Energy Derives from Both the plus and Negative
Do You Need What I Need?
Boundaries Overthrown
Look Inside to Each His Own
Do You Trust What I Trust?
Me, Myself and I
Penetrate the Smoke Screen I See Through the Selfishlie

Doesn't Matter What You See
Or into it What You Read
You Can Do it Your Own Way
If It's Done Just How I Say

Independence Limited
Freedom of Choice
Choice Is Made for You My Friend
Freedom of Speech
Speech Is Words That They Will Bend
Freedom with Their Exception

Do You Know What I Know?
Your Money End Your Wealth
Your Silence Just to Hear Your Self
Do You Want What I Want?
Desire Not a Thing
I Hunger after Independence Lengthen Freedom's Ring

Doesn't Matter What You See
Or into it What You Read
You Can Do it Your Own Way
If It's Done Just How I Say

Independence Limited
Freedom of Choice
Choice Is Made for You My Friend
Freedom of Speech
Speech Is Words That They Will Bend
Freedom no longer frees you

Doesn't Matter What You See
Or into it What You Read
You Can Do it Your Own Way
If It's Done Just How I Say

-------------

if u dont know, thats metalica of old. those lyrics apply today. right now. say what u will of metalica and i will agree with you, however those lyrics are iron clad.

[parables in the world]

well 10,000 does sound like undertow, angry and pissed off.

[mr. nikki jensen]

I love the way the drums sound like they are dancing on quicksand too.

yearh orgasmic

[toolninapc]

The Swamp Song fucking rocks
me and my girl Desi the Lesi
rocked this song 24/7 when worked at subway!!
he had all the fucking customers giving us looks
hahahah

[HelenA]

So they DID play it is Sydney and it was awesome!! I bet they were happy that the crowd knew the words! I just loved it.

[stillbewildered]

The Swamp Song fucking rocks
me and my girl Desi the Lesi
rocked this song 24/7 when worked at subway!!
he had all the fucking customers giving us looks
hahahah

Haha I worked at subway and blasted this song - as well as every other Tool song - damn near everyday.

Anyway, on to an interpretation that I have become quite content w/:
I believe this song, though it does relate well to current issues such as Iraq, is more personal and mental. It always feels like he saying "be careful when you start thinking because you can get lost in your thoughts and drive yourself around in circles." i base this just out of personal "trips" in which I can't just let something go, thus making me the belligerent fucker. It seems to me the whole Undertow album has a lot to do with the suffering aspect of life, which allows a Toolhead to heal nicely as we progress through the albums up to Lateralus which has so much therpeutic value for one's mind. Anyway, this song seems to be Maynard's "warning" to us all that when we begin to contemplate the workings of the universe on a deeper level, it's necessary to just let it go sometimes. Because all of us Toolites are quite obviously over-analytical and take Maynard's somewhat vague (at times) lyrics and bring them into higher realms of thought. But goddamnit I'm gonna "keep digging"