Location: Rheine/Germany/Present/About to find out!
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Meaning of the song
Greetz...
I wonder why there is no thread about the actual meaning of the song.
There are other treads where it's mentioned but most of the guys really think it's about fisting or sex oder stuff like that.
In my opinion it's definitely about drug abuse.
The lyrics implicate that there are two voices. One voice belongs to the addict and one which refers to the drug as such.
Example :
"Constant over stimulation numbs me and i wouldn't have it any other way"
That one belongs to the addict!
"Relax. Turn around and take my hand" or
"I can help you change, tired moments into pleasure"
That's the voice in the back of the mind of every addict which is calling to the addict constantly tempting him.
The lines with "within the borderline" refers to how deep the addiction is going.
In between the song the addict asks himself why he is actually taking the drug:
"How can it mean anything to me if i really don't feel anything at all?"
At the end of the song the addict knows that he has to quit the drug but the voice in the back of his mind is still there tempting.
__________________ I wish i could sue MTV for renaming Stinkfist into Track No.1. Those freckers can't even make a destinction btw. drug addiction and frecking fisting.
----
NOT OGT back from the beginning!
But Ænima blew my frecking mind!
Location: Rheine/Germany/Present/About to find out!
Posts: 5
Bincount™: 0
Re: Meaning of the song
Oh... by the way... i did see Tool in Düsseldorf/Germany on 8th of June and they played a very different version of this song. The beginning was the same but when the song goes to the climax at the end, they played it way faster and it sounded more than epic. I was beginning to get bored with that song but the live performance really kicked ass. Did they play it on other gigs the same way and does anybody have a clue where i can get the alternate version?!
__________________ I wish i could sue MTV for renaming Stinkfist into Track No.1. Those freckers can't even make a destinction btw. drug addiction and frecking fisting.
----
NOT OGT back from the beginning!
But Ænima blew my frecking mind!
it's about desensitization , a metaphore
finger deep inside the border line
knuckle deep
elbow deep
shoulder deep
this may hurt a little but it's something you'll get used to
so it has to go deeper and deeper
tired moments into pleasure - T.v
constant over stimulation
has to keep going further
the "borderline" is the "thin veil" approx. 2-4 inches in front of your face...some says its a "gateway" to something.......vibrations....all matter is mearly that....keep on diggin :)
it's about desensitization , a metaphore
finger deep inside the border line
knuckle deep
elbow deep
shoulder deep
this may hurt a little but it's something you'll get used to
so it has to go deeper and deeper
tired moments into pleasure - T.v
constant over stimulation
has to keep going further
true! right on line! this song is about acting just for the pleasure of the action, without actually having any feelings to go along with it, just plain, blunt physicall lust. the consequences of this philosophy come with: 'how can it mean anything to me, if i really can't feel anything at all'. so he thinks he'll just keep diggin until he'll find the emotions that he expected. but in this grotesqueness, all that is subtle or sublime is lost.
__________________ Voluptates, blanditissimae dominae, animos a virtute detorquent
true! right on line! this song is about acting just for the pleasure of the action, without actually having any feelings to go along with it, just plain, blunt physicall lust. the consequences of this philosophy come with: 'how can it mean anything to me, if i really can't feel anything at all'. so he thinks he'll just keep diggin until he'll find the emotions that he expected. but in this grotesqueness, all that is subtle or sublime is lost.
i always thought it was about Fisting, or about Reaching in somone (metaphoricly) and pulling out love.......
love isn't just something you can extract like from a gold mine, my friend... it's spontaneous. i think it's more: looking deep for something that's not there.
__________________ Voluptates, blanditissimae dominae, animos a virtute detorquent
LOL...wow, I've never seen so many totally off perceptions of the song. I will have to come back and teach you all...I don't have time while I'm at work. I will return at a later time young grasshoppas
__________________ "WITHOUT A LITTLE EVIL, GOOD WOULD NEVER EXIST"
It's also about how in Western society at least, we are continually needing more intense and instantaneous gratification. How deep will the fist have to go before we finally wake up to our over-consuming ways?
__________________ "I'm forever near a stereo saying, 'What the fuck is this GARBAGE?' And the answer is always the Red Hot Chili Peppers." - Nick Cave
How can a song describe the process of anal fisting and mean drug use? I think the words are not a direct metaphor, just like in Vicarious, what you get is what he means, but it's part of a bigger puzzle. What does this mean? It could be about the sexilysation of the world, or something similar as Vicarious. Or something how sad todays relationships are. Yeah, that could be. Maynard hates people that only are fixed at sex in their relationships. Gah. I don't know. I still don't understand some lyrics in the song, so I don't know.
Having experienced something called hypnogogia on and off for most of my life this has always been one of my favourite songs. For those that dont know its basically a state of conciousness between being awake and asleep (usually called the 'borderline'). One of the great things about being in this state is that it can create lucid dreams, where you are fully aware that you are in the middle of a dream and can therefor make whatever you want happen. When you wake up the memory of the dream is incredibly vivid and seems to have been real. Over the centuries artists, philosophers etc have used this as a way to inspire their creativity.
This may have nothing whatsoever to do with the song but as i was reading an article that actually mentions this song (about half way down) i thought i would share it.
i think tool should retire this song. i know its one of their so called "hits" but im tired of hearing this song live but like i always say when they play stinkfist or sober that means its time to get another beer and piss one out..........
__________________ 7/19/98 WI, 9/8/01 IN, 9/9/01 IL, 10/20/01 IA, 7/19/02 NV, 8/29/02 IL, 9/1/02 WI, 9/7/02 IL, 10/18/02 MI, 11/24/02 CA, 5/13/06 IL, 9/1/06 NV, 9/16/06 MN, 9/18/06 IL, 5/16/07 TX, 6/22/07 MO, 6/27/07 IL, 7/4/07 WI
I think its about adam and eve having sex in the garden of eden, before then getting thrown out. Check out the Bill hicks quote:
'I've learned a lot about women. I think I've learned exactly how the fall of man occured in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, and Adam said one day, "Wow, Eve, here we are, at one with nature, at one with God, we'll never age, we'll never die, and all our dreams come true the instant that we have them." And Eve said, "Yeah... it's just not enough is it?"
coincidence, i think not, remember bill hicks is a big influence on the band.
i think tool should retire this song. i know its one of their so called "hits" but im tired of hearing this song live but like i always say when they play stinkfist or sober that means its time to get another beer and piss one out..........
When I saw them live for the first time, in March, Stinkfist was one of the best songs they played. It put out a massive impact and got the crowd going.
__________________ I sure could use a vacation from this stupid shit.
Yeah, I reckon it kicks arse, and behind the somewhat deviant lyrics lies a good message.
__________________ "I'm forever near a stereo saying, 'What the fuck is this GARBAGE?' And the answer is always the Red Hot Chili Peppers." - Nick Cave
The message is this; the person in the song has become so desensitized to sensuality because he's seen (or acted out) so much pornography that nothing seems to satisfy anymore. That's why he asks us/himself 'what became of subtlety'? Maynard uses the fistfucking metaphor to shock. Why? Well the reason is actually the rationale for writing this song. We are all completely drowned in sex and pornography every day; every commercial you see on TV, every video you watch on MTV tries to sell by linking the product or the lifestyle to sex. As a consequence we have become accustomed to this that every other commercial/video/magazine needs something bolder to show or talk about to still shock people into buying it or watching it. This is the warning call; if we don't realize now that girls in string bikinis on at 3 pm is absurd, the next thing they'll be showing is some couple fisting away to satisfy our shared craving for new ways of the portrayal of sex.
HMMM i wonder what Stink Fist is up to these days.
__________________ All assertions to a phenomenon are projected, and are the result of the mind stream projecting them. All phenomenon are of a relative nature, there for all phenomenon are subjective. All phenomenon Inherently contain their own contradiction, therefore All phenomenon are Empty and void of inherent assertions.
I think its about adam and eve having sex in the garden of eden, before then getting thrown out. Check out the Bill hicks quote:
'I've learned a lot about women. I think I've learned exactly how the fall of man occured in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, and Adam said one day, "Wow, Eve, here we are, at one with nature, at one with God, we'll never age, we'll never die, and all our dreams come true the instant that we have them." And Eve said, "Yeah... it's just not enough is it?"
coincidence, i think not, remember bill hicks is a big influence on the band.
chris
x
Agreed.
The whole album of Aenima is influenced by Bill Hicks due to his death. That is a really good interpretation...I never had heard any direct quote form Bill hicks about that, however that really makes a lot of sense.
The drug addiction interpretation makes sense to me too.
Hm...will we ever really know?
__________________ Shut up and sit down you big bald fuck.
well, i think it is about searching for something better. becoming tired of what you are and pushing yourself beyond your limits ( this may hurt a little but its something youll get used to. . . ) perhaps searching for a deeper meaning. . . ( ill keep digging until i feel something) you know?
I think its about adam and eve having sex in the garden of eden, before then getting thrown out. Check out the Bill hicks quote:
'I've learned a lot about women. I think I've learned exactly how the fall of man occured in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, and Adam said one day, "Wow, Eve, here we are, at one with nature, at one with God, we'll never age, we'll never die, and all our dreams come true the instant that we have them." And Eve said, "Yeah... it's just not enough is it?"
coincidence, i think not, remember bill hicks is a big influence on the band.
chris
x
at of all the ideas i have heard about this song this one peaks my interest the most. good job of pulling the hick's quote and seeing the possible connections
at of all the ideas i have heard about this song this one peaks my interest the most. good job of pulling the hick's quote and seeing the possible connections
well ive been listing to aenima alot recently and heard alot of bill hicks quotes within the music. i mean alot. for instance Arizona bay (in anema) and the whole flushing la away, creating Arizona bay is from a bill hicks show.
at of all the ideas i have heard about this song this one peaks my interest the most. good job of pulling the hick's quote and seeing the possible connections
I think its about adam and eve having sex in the garden of eden, before then getting thrown out. Check out the Bill hicks quote:
'I've learned a lot about women. I think I've learned exactly how the fall of man occured in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, and Adam said one day, "Wow, Eve, here we are, at one with nature, at one with God, we'll never age, we'll never die, and all our dreams come true the instant that we have them." And Eve said, "Yeah... it's just not enough is it?"
coincidence, i think not, remember bill hicks is a big influence on the band.
chris
x
ha thats what i meant, holy shit. it is pretty hilarious when you dig so deep to find the reason of something and it is so obvious in the end.
wow, i am not very good at explaining myself. what i mean by what i said is that that little quote makes perfect sense, the whole adam and eve thing. yeah. . . jsut got a little too excited
I've been hooked on Stinkfist for about a month now and the song always seems to strike a different chord when I try to analyse it. I am glad I ran into this forum, it helps give me other perspectives on the song and its possible meanings. This is one of the reasons why I love Tool so much, the metaphors can be taken anyway the listener wants them to be taken. My perspective on the song is one of relationships or a relationship. The borderline is metaphorically implied to be the anus hence the term stinkfist. But for me it translates into emotion and how one starts off small and timid, not letting much in. As things progress one opens up and lets more in. I think that Maynard (and I could be wrong) needs these feelings and those are the ones he try's to convey, when he says he needs it to breathe and feel alive. There is also the lines
Blend and balance
Pain and comfort
Deep within you
Till you will not have me any other way.
I think these are very relationship oriented lines that that he may be trying to find in someone, and he will will "keep digging" until he finds/feels it.
Let me know what everyone thinks I may have more, but thats what I have for now, and feedback is appreciated. I may not be good at explaining myself so ask if it doesn't make sense
Location: Los Angeles, CA Chauncy Freak Outs: 69,420
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Re: Meaning of the song
While I agree with the fisting ideas and the whole searching for feelings that you can't comprehend, I just have to say that these aren't likely reasons for the song. It's most likely that Maynard just wanted to see if anyone would stir up controversy over the song title (MTV and "Track 1"), and how humanity is so appauled by words and anything that remotely suggests something out of the ordinary. It's almost a reference back to "Hush" and censorship of music and the world around us.
your all right, even if your interpritation isnt want tool ment, its cool, whatever gives meaning to your life, i think it is about desinsitization, my parents (the boomers) cryed when they heard that the president had been assasinatied, when they saw people being killed in nam ect. but we woulnt cry if our president was assisinated, some would celebrate, and we watched as people jumped to their death and planes crashing into buildings LIVE on september 11th and werent that shocked, i know i wasnt shocked, just angry
I've been hooked on Stinkfist for about a month now and the song always seems to strike a different chord when I try to analyse it. I am glad I ran into this forum, it helps give me other perspectives on the song and its possible meanings. This is one of the reasons why I love Tool so much, the metaphors can be taken anyway the listener wants them to be taken. My perspective on the song is one of relationships or a relationship. The borderline is metaphorically implied to be the anus hence the term stinkfist. But for me it translates into emotion and how one starts off small and timid, not letting much in. As things progress one opens up and lets more in. I think that Maynard (and I could be wrong) needs these feelings and those are the ones he try's to convey, when he says he needs it to breathe and feel alive. There is also the lines
Blend and balance
Pain and comfort
Deep within you
Till you will not have me any other way.
I think these are very relationship oriented lines that that he may be trying to find in someone, and he will will "keep digging" until he finds/feels it.
Let me know what everyone thinks I may have more, but thats what I have for now, and feedback is appreciated. I may not be good at explaining myself so ask if it doesn't make sense
Wow that really makes a lot of sense. I think because this song is "metaphor" that's why it can be taken in a lot of different ways. The drug addiction, trying to find someone, etc. The problem is...each of us fellow Tool fans continue to overanalyze everything said. And it prevents us from ever really understanding the song.
I think Tool wants us to take this song and all their songs in a way that applies to our life. So interpretations of a song will vary.
__________________ Shut up and sit down you big bald fuck.
I think it's basically about felling something different or when you change from regular habit. It may feel strange at first but you'll get used to it and may even start to like it more.
__________________ Who are you to wave your finger?
So, I might be completely wrong as well, but I think the song is making a lot of references to Jungian psychology and the process of individuation. If you all want to spend several hours learning about it on wikipedia, it might give you a better idea, but I will try to explain nonetheless. Carl Jung believed that all humans share a psychological dna, much like we have a biological dna, and that dna takes the form of the collective unconscious. Within the collective unconscious there are four basic archetypes: 1.) The Self (all of the unconscious qualities integrated into one being ) 2.) The Shadow (the unknown unconscious qualities that mysteriously affect our behavior, also alluded to in 46 & 2) 3.) The Anima and 4.) The Animus. Focusing more specifically on the Anima, this archetype is described as the unconscious feminine attributes of men. Carl Jung suggested that in order for men to form a unified unconscious self, they must become aware of their Anima qualities and integrate them into their conscious self, along with the other unconscious attributes such as the shadow. (On a side note, the animus is the exact opposite: the unconscious male qualities within women.) The process by which one integrates one's unconscious qualities into their conscious selves is called individuation. Jung described this continual integration as a very difficult process, but ultimately necessary in order to find a rewarding and unified life in which one is fully aware of who they are. This is what I think the song is making a reference to. Granted, I might be wrong, and there is a good chance I misunderstood the concepts behind Jungian psychology, but its worth a shot.
Something has to change. (Feeling a need to change; feeling a desire for a better life)
Un-deniable dilemma. (Seeing that one's life is incomplete; not knowing who you are)
Boredom's not a burden (No one has to be incomplete, but can find themselves)
Anyone should bear.
Constant over stimu-lation numbs me
and I wouldn't have
It any other way.
^ ^ ^ ^
(This is the one part I'm really not sure about. My guess is it could be suggesting that the more he digs into his unconcious mind, the easier it becomes and the less pain he feels because he is becoming numb to the process of individuation. However, he realizes its importance in finding the life he seeks (a unified self) and that is why he "wouldn't have it any other way."
It's not enough.
I need more. (Once again, expressing a desire to find a deeper life,
Nothing seems to satisfy. becoming truly alive and fully awake.)
I don't want it.
I just need it.
To feel, to breathe, to know I'm alive.
Finger deep within the borderline. (Beginning to dig into the unconscious mind)
Show me that you love me and that we belong together.
Relax, turn around and take my hand.
^ ^ ^
(The Anima is described as one's "ideal" female and often influences who we are attracted to according to Jungian psychology. Some theorize that when we fall in love, we are actually falling in love with our archetype, the Anima, as we see it/her in a woman. The line "show me that you love me" might be an appeal to his inner Anima as the desire of his heart.)
I can help you change
Tired moments into pleasure.
Say the word and we'll be
Well upon our way.
^ ^ ^ ^
(Sometimes, we see our archetypes in our dreams represented in physical form. He might be seeing his Anima in his "tired moments" or sleep, and having intimate/pleasurable times with it/her.)
Blend and balance (The ongoing process of individuation)
Pain and comfort
Deep within you
Till you will not have me any other way.
^ ^ ^ ^
(Going through this process until my unconscious self is unified with my conscious self and I will be with my Anima as one. She/it will finally have me, and I my life will be complete and will not need to change "any other way")
It's not enough.
I need more.
Nothing seems to satisfy.
I don't want it.
I just need it.
To feel, to breathe, to know I'm alive.
Knuckle deep inside the borderline. (digging yet even further into unconcious self.)
This may hurt a little but it's something you'll get used to. (hints at the difficult, yet rewarding process of individuation.)
Relax. Slip away. (Slipping away into the unconcious part of one's mind)
Something kinda sad about
the way that things have come to be.
Desensitized to everything.
What became of subtlety?
^ ^ ^ ^
(These lines might suggest that it is disappointing how the majority of society has become complacent and ignorant and does not make any effort to dig into themselves and expand their minds. People are not trying to live more rewarding lives and do not attempt to unify their unconscious selves with their conscious selves.)
How can it mean anything to me
If I really don't feel anything at all?
^ ^ ^ ^
(possibly: How can life be of any value to me if I don't know who I am/ if my mind is divided)
I'll keep digging till (I'll keep searching my unconscious until I feel alive)
I feel something.
***Sidenote*** Jung studied the unconcious mind through "symbolic communications of the human psche" such as art, music, mythology, etc. Maynard could be saying, that he'll keep writing music and creating artwork in order to discover himself.
Elbow deep inside the borderline.
Show me that you love me and that we belong together.
Shoulder deep within the borderline.
Relax. Turn around and take my hand.
^ ^ ^ ^
(Once again, making reference to going even further into the unconscious mind in an attempt to find one's Anima, which I suppose could also be thought of as one's true love. Naturally, it is assumed, that people need to integrate their unconscious lives into their conscious lives and as a result, both the unconscious and conscious "belong together" or need to be together.)
Once again, this is just a theory. There is a good chance I'm just full of it, but like I said, it doesn't hurt to try. Really, we'll probably never know what Tool is trying to say, but that is what makes Tool unique. As compared to other bands, they don't tell you what to believe or think about in their music. They leave it up to the listener to try to figure it out for themselves. Really, it seems Tool just wants to change society by waking people up and cause them to start using their heads. They just want people to open up their minds and think about things before falling in line and never asking questions. Needless to say, they are very skilled at making people think for themselves.
