Perhaps it's just the way I take it, but the stepping through the shadow is a shining example of it, to me, also the intensity of the end of H., the hilarity of Hooker, the coming home of jimmy, the brilliance of pushit, and the experience that is third eye.
to me stinkfist is about the desensitization of society and how we are constantly digging deeper to find something that will stimulate us. anything. i just think of all the vilolence and destruction that there is on tv because the mtv generation constantly needs something to entertain them. after a while things get boring and they need something more exciting and more thrilling. they keep on fingering deeper, knuckling deeper, elbowing deeper, shouldering deeper. that's just one example. and of course we are all victems of this, unless you are completely cut off from society or don't watch any tv or listen to any radio or read any magazines. i am ashamed to be a part of the mtv and nintendo generation, because of the ignorance it has caused us.
I don't agree with the part about being it relating to mass media, but rather, I think it's a trait that's inherent in all human beings. The need to want more, even if you were once satisfied with what you had, it becomes not enough. I think a lot of people are thinking about it in the eyes of the giver, not the reciever. The reciever's muscles will be more relaxed and loose, so if the act is continued or repeated, the person takes more to get the same feeling.
And i agree with whoever said that the song is first to grab attention. I think it has a very "Vicarious" vibe to it, pointing out human flaws.
__________________ ♦ I'm as moist as a snack cake. ♦
[aj fəkɪŋ het ɛvəri læst wən əv ju.]
hi.
i love this song but i dont tend to tracks off tool albums singly i think how they fit with the album, sound wise and lyrics wise, i think it fits great in aenima.
I wonder if people have actually read the entire thread.
The title statement is not what it appears to be. I am not saying that this song sucks, or is inferior in any UNINTENDED way. This is a great song that serves its purpose very well. It's a song describing the way things are, trudging along knee deep in shit, always forging ahead, trying to locate anything that will stimulate us in this ocean of crap. It's the worst song because it's supposed to be. It's the description of the problem, not "what to do about it" like the rest of the album is. Can people understand this concept?
CRIKEY paraflux. You deserve a fucking medal for your absolute patience with this thread. I love the way you have relentlessly replied to every idiot post! AND it is NOT too much to expect people to read! It is interesting the way your responses have crystallized your thoughts. Every new reply has made you more succinct and penetrating (!). Maybe there has been a purpose in it after all.
Originally Posted by paraflux
I wonder if people have actually read the entire thread.
The title statement is not what it appears to be. I am not saying that this song sucks, or is inferior in any UNINTENDED way. This is a great song that serves its purpose very well. It's a song describing the way things are, trudging along knee deep in shit, always forging ahead, trying to locate anything that will stimulate us in this ocean of crap. It's the worst song because it's supposed to be. It's the description of the problem, not "what to do about it" like the rest of the album is. Can people understand this concept?
Yea well as i said before it fits in with the albulm. It presents the problem (and a sort of question) then the rest of the album tries to solve it.
I usually just sit back and read through the forums because they're so damn interesting. In fact I don't think I've ever posted anything. However, I can't help but throw an idea out that may or may not have already been entertained. I understand what has been said about this song cleansing you in preperation for what will come next. But, as I have listened to this song throughout the years, my interpretation is that this song is about a longing to be re-born. I'm more than likely looking far too deeply, but that is just the feeling that i get. And to me that would keep with the theme of cleansing; a new beginning.
One thing I dont get, when Tool played Stinkfist this year Maynard added a verse from Suspicous Minds (by Elvis I think) "I love you too much baby"-how does that fit into the song???
Yeah, I saw that version of Stinkfist too. I thought that it was a pretty good addition to the song. Maybe it revolves around the need of wanting more.
Yeah, I saw that version of Stinkfist too. I thought that it was a pretty good addition to the song. Maybe it revolves around the need of wanting more.
Stinkfist is nothing but a love song. No, not about fisting, or perverted thoughts, but a strange way to look at love. Its only a love song.
Aenima isnt all about one theme (cleaning up society). only the title track maybe. stinkfist is a love song, 46&2 is someone going through changes. eulogy is anger to someone in maynards life (maybe politically) (Millitary??) pushit- another love song. jimmy- childhood issues- (the second prison sex) H.- Split between addiction and his (or someones) son. ETC>>>>>>>
I agree that Stinkfist presents a problem that is created both through society and a deeper human desire. Indulgences become less and less fulfilling the more they are "abused". I think that the fisting metaphor describes being bored with sex and wanting to try something new to see if it may stimulate the senses in some other way. This metaphor holds true to basically anything pleasurable that humans do. It also shows that you can understand that we are all a part of something bigger, as explained in Latteralus, but at the same time still want more out of the here and now. It's a constant mental struggle. I'm also reminded of this same topic in Rosetta Stoned: "..my heart is pounding, cause this shit never happens to me." It's a longing, whether drug induced or just created in the mind out of boredom, for something really big to happen. something exciting. Personally, this is one of my favorite Tool songs. I find that Stinkfist is both the problem and the solution.
__________________ Boredom's not a burden anyone should bear.
i think its a strong single and first song on the album
but it cant compare to the rest
i know all these interpritations of this song are just educated guesses, although they are all good. I think this song could also be about the cylces of drug abuse.How he says i dont want it i just need to the breathe to fill to know im alive.you start off maybe finger deep within the drug but if you let it take over you, before you know it your shoulder deep within the drug. i dont know just one of my many thoughts. thats what makes Tool so great
Stinkfist is my favorite song by tool, either that or H. anyway, I have to agree with toolfan46&2, i always thought stinkfist was about drug abuse. But there will always be different interpritations.
Stinkfist is a dialogue between an addict and their drug of choice, whether its a drug or something else a person could become addicted to. They use the rather disgusting metaphor (fisting) to show the increased level of addiction. "Finger deep within the borderline, knuckle, elbow, etc..."
The drug or addiction speaks to the addict. "I can help you change
Tired moments into pleasure.
Say the word and well be
Well upon our way."
The song progresses and we hear a change in tone. "Something kinda sad about
The way that things have come to be.
Desensitized to everything.
What became of subtlety?
How can it mean anything to me
If I really dont feel anything at all?"
The addict starts to question what has happened here. What was recreational use has gotten out of control.
The high becomes much more difficult to acheive. "Ill keep digging till,
I feel something."
At the end of the song, the drug still keeps calling. "Relax. turn around and take my hand."
Stinkfist is the first song I had heard from this album and it personally changed my life forever.
I remember listening to this on my radio and thinking " What the hell are these guys into? Fisting is disgusting." Even my disgust wasen't enough to keep me from listening to it, it confounded my worldview and I had to understand it. I would have settled for nothing less than complete understanding and I constantly tried to fit it in with my worldview at the time.
The thing that is good about this song is that it is a gate, or a rending of the veil if you will. It tears a hole in your current thoughts and begs you to open up and let go, to recieve what is about to come with an open mind and an open heart, devoid of the mindless day to day voice that is the product of habits, desires, and obsessions.
It invites you to stop and listen, to really try and understand what is to come and decide for yourself if it helps you on your way through this chaos we call life. This is the reason that I think this song is not 'the best' or 'the worst', but neccesary for the confounding light and experience to come to you devoid of ego.
It is initiation...
This interpretation i really like. It reminds me of the way I think of it..a gateway into getting you used to deeper thinking. Don't even listen any further into aenima if you think this song is about anal fisting just for the sake of it..and nothing more. To think that ..well..go listen to green day or something.
i fucking hate it when people say this song is about fisting. can't you people look deeper than that?
lol i don't think this song is that deep, i just straight up think it's about Fisting.....all tool fans over analyse the shit out of songs...why can't it be as simple as just fisting?
lol i don't think this song is that deep, i just straight up think it's about Fisting.....all tool fans over analyse the shit out of songs...why can't it be as simple as just fisting?
Read the lyrics. It's easy to see this as a metaphor as well. Ever heard of metaphors? Oh yeah, that would be over-analyzing to use a big word like metaphor.
lol i don't think this song is that deep, i just straight up think it's about Fisting.....all tool fans over analyse the shit out of songs...why can't it be as simple as just fisting?
Maybe it's better to overanalyze than take it for what it says and not get any meaning out of it at all.
do you have a concussion yet from banging your head on the computer desk?
jesus, i thought the majority of tool fans would be smart enough to read through your supporting arguement to see what you were saying, i'll admit, when i saw "worst song on album" i was kind of like "what the fuck?!" but then i read your thread starter and got what you were saying. i would try to some it up for you, but a; i dont have the right words and b; god knows nobody (execpt for a select few) would read it.
para...i understand what u mean. the song is dirty, and a little ruff around the edges, but only be design. the song is about addiction, addiction to whatever it may be. its about after so long your body is desensatized to whatever. like poeple that are on pain killers for so long...eventually ur body becomes use to the dosage...and now u need another step up to the next highest. so you start with a finger, then were knuckle deep, then wrist, then elbow, and now im shoulder deep in your colon....is that enuff yet? this song is basically asking...whats it gonna take to get a reaction out of you? is it going to take my arm completely up your ass? or will a song titled stinkfist thats about an arm up your ass be enuff to grab your attention. maynard wants ur fully focused attention, because hes about to shove the rest of this album so far up your ass, your about to taste vinyl. ;P
__________________ We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution
i think i found the words to explain my point of view for this song. i agree that this is the "worst" song, a "dirty" song, but not in the same way. to me, this song speaks of a growing need in our world to dig deeper to find new sensations, new thrills, and tool is neither saying this is good or bad. they are just dragging the issue out in front of us, kicking and scearming in all its vicseral dirtiness and dishevledness. there are presenting this to us to make us form our own opinion, to make us THINK about it, and trying to get people to think for themselves is and has always been one of the bands objectives. to me, they use the title "stinkfist" as a explicit example of our cultures need for more. kind of like "we are so far down the hole, ppl let other ppl shove their hands down their ass as a sexual pleasure." they feel they need an attention grabing title to illicite aresponse. i also see a strong link between stinkfist and vicarious. once again, they are draging something(our addiction to violence and tv) out for all to examine and decide upon. why did they decide upon a less visceral title? idk, im not a tool member, maybe cause it was the first single in like a gazzilion years and they knew some people would listrn to it
i dont think disheveldness is a word, but what the fuck, im not an english teacher
do you have a concussion yet from banging your head on the computer desk?
jesus, i thought the majority of tool fans would be smart enough to read through your supporting arguement to see what you were saying, i'll admit, when i saw "worst song on album" i was kind of like "what the fuck?!" but then i read your thread starter and got what you were saying. i would try to some it up for you, but a; i dont have the right words and b; god knows nobody (execpt for a select few) would read it.
This guy gets what Im saying, yeah. No one said it wasnt a "kickass song" or that it wasnt goo. It's just different, a cleansing... and we all know cleansing can be nasty.
