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Tool - All Tool Songs Song Meanings

Ok everybody, there is one thing that you have forgotten which I'm pretty sure of. Maynard's not a moron, I think we will all agree on that.
Now you must realize this: in most of his songs, we can't really tell who he's talking about (the proof is you are all fighting and arguing on that).
Combine these two things: if Maynard thought it was really important to know
exactly who he's talking about, he would have made it clear.

"But there's nothing really clear in any Tool song!"

Of course there is nothing clear: in almost every case, Maynard's words have more than one interpretation but all interpretations seem to converge towards the same point. He is therefore saying more than one thing at a time, which is brilliant.

Following the same idea, maybe what he wants to make us understand is: "it is not important who I'm talking about"

Now... when he is talking about Jesus Christ...
I think Jesus is so well known that he is most of the time (and this could also be in any - or all - of Maynard's songs) referred to as a general idea.
"Jesus" could be "religion in general"
"Jesus" could be "the one who's trying to sell you bullshit"
"Jesus" could be "the idea in which you believe because you have nothing else you dumb fuck"
etc.

Sometimes he also uses himself to demonstrate that something is disgusting like in crawl away: "he" kills the woman/friend who's leaving him.

Now just try and see... replace the "you" or the "Jesus" in the song by your name or one of your friend's name... It often fits too well... of course, the critic expressed in the song is almost always too strong, but that only makes Maynard's poetry more stunning and willingly or not, it will makes us think about our flaws and flaws of others...

Some examples:

AEnima: Critique of superficial people
"Fuck your tattoos" etc.
"Fret for your figure" etc.

Eulogy: Critique of people who point the finger but themselves and who speak strong and loud over the crowd and who have nothing to say.

Intolerance: Liars, cheats and thieves

Prison Sex: Rapists, Pedophiles, etc.
And many others

N.B. This is just a general interpretation I am sure it doesn't fit for ALL songs... but this should help you understand the songs in your own personal way... and I have another little thing to say... why don't you let words be themselves : let "sex" be "sex", let "blue" be "blue", and "ice" be "ice"... Sex is not a close relationship, love is a great relationship, "blue" is not the blue planet, water or the ocean, "blue" is a color and "ice" is not "your cold cold heart" it is just ice.

"Blue" could mean "sad" and "ice" could be a crystallized drug or something slippery... IF IT FITS WITH THE CONTEXT

When you write an interpretation of a song don't make up a context around second meanings of words or hidden ones. Usually the context is clear and the "hidden" meanings are not so hidden. They are hidden because there are many possibilities of interpretation. You should find it amazing, not brain sucking, this way to write. I think Maynard James Keenan (or whoever it is who writes these songs, if not Keenan..) is nearly a genius.
So don't misinterpret masterpieces or fuck them all up with your twisted minds.

To those who read the entire post: Thank you

Submitted by: anonymous
Added: 2007-09-23 01:40:59     Rating:

I've recently been listening to the albums Aenima and Lateralus after reading this book called "2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl". If you're to lazy to go and read this fucking awesome book than look into the Mayan culture and their shamans. Basically the Mayans predict 2012 (Dec 21, 2012 to be more precise) as the end of this age. The apocalypse in a sense but the beginning of ultimate human evolution. It's all about humans consciousness. Fuck, I wish I could tell you all about it but there's just so much to say. I swear, just look into it and listen to Lateralus and the entire album takes on a whole new meaning, even deeper and more inspiring than ever.

Submitted by: purplesarah
Added: 2007-09-27 14:20:53     Rating:

I wish the two people above were not anonymous! The first I completely agree with, Tool songs do serve to have several meanings at once, and several meanings could have been intended to be right at the same time. Too much fits to be mere coincidence.

The second person is talking about the Mayan calendar, which is worth finding out about if you're interested in the spiritual shift in human consciousness they say is going to occur at the end of 2012 =)

Submitted by: Zaq
Added: 2007-09-27 21:01:37     Rating:

"Message To Harry Manback" (with some parts spoken in Italian) is an actual message from Keenan's answering machine. Carey tells the story of some Italian guy who showed up at Keenan's house while one of his roommates was on the road. This guy claimed he had permission to stay at the house. When the roommate was finally contacted, they found out this definitely wasn't the case. In the meantime, the unwelcome house guest had eaten all their food and run up their phone bill. After they gave him the boot, he called the answering machine and left the message contained in "Message to Harry Manback." Our of all the segues and songs on the album, Carey says that one gets the most inquiries. "No one knows for sure if it's for real or not," he says.
That and the German segue, "Die Eier Von Satan." A spoken word piece in German that sounds very violent and Facist, when translated, is actually a recipe for Mexican wedding cookies! The dichotomy between the two songs is perplexing. Carey says "Message To Harry Manback" sounds like it could be a love poem, when in reality it's a death threat, while "Die Eier Von Satan" sounds Facist, but in reality it is totally innocent. Once again, things are not as they seem. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair."


(From an article I found on toolshed.com)

~Zaq~

Submitted by: Zaq
Added: 2007-09-27 21:03:43     Rating:

Here is a great article with a great interview of several members of Tool. Not your usual bullshit interview...
http://toolshed.down.net/articles/index.php?action=view-article&id=February_1997--Livewire.html

Submitted by: Disturbed1
Added: 2007-10-01 10:16:50     Rating:

Well, all Tool songs are interpreted differently by different people, based on how you hear the song.

Which is the genius of Tool.

Submitted by: anonymous
Added: 2007-10-10 23:11:13     Rating:

One thing that has always gotten me thinking is the simple knowledge of human existence itself. Humans have only gained more knowledge and gotten to the point we are at today with science, religion, whatever, through curiosity.

Has anyone ever stopped to think that Maynard could just be playing on our natural inclination towards curiosity in his songs? By telling us he isn't going to tell us what the songs mean, is he just egging us on into looking way too deep into his songs?

Sure they all have meaning attached to them. Whether those meanings were intended by the writer or perceived by the listener, it's there. It just makes me laugh thinking about the possibility of someone writing extremely vague songs, telling everyone he isn't going to reveal their meaning, and just watch as the deliberations and in-fighting proceed.

Submitted by: Zaq
Added: 2008-02-19 19:20:09     Rating:

"NYROCK:
Many bands release a video to go along with a single because it's part of the music business process, so to speak. Tool, however, seem to place a lot of significance on their videos – as much as on the songs and the lyrics. What inspires you?

MAYNARD:
Everything we release with Tool is inspired by our music. It doesn't matter if it is a video or if it's lyrics. The lyrics for "Schism" are nothing more than my interpretation of the music. Adam does most of the work when it comes to videos and he basically does the same as I do with the lyrics. The videos are his visual interpretations of our music.

NYROCK:
Your lyrics are paradoxical and often have an unexpected twist.

MAYNARD:
Everything revolves around the music when it comes to Tool. Music is about listening, the more you play, the more the magic spreads. For me, life is writing and I can do it anywhere. It doesn't matter where I am. I listen. I write. I live. And if you don't live, you have nothing to write about."

From an interview, obviously.

Submitted by: anonymous
Added: 2008-03-26 00:01:24     Rating:

I must give credit to all, A, for having the courage to submit ideas and B, to enjoy this music. It truly is genius and you should feel pride in listening to it and loving it. I watch a lot of Bill Hicks, and watch REAL news every day. This band tackles real issues brilliantly. Technically, I am amazed, lyrically blown away. In my tedious path I have chosen, at least I have discovered those of like mind, or at least those on their way. Tool breaks down Humanity as a species and the hope in it's survival cause case you homeboys (and girls) haven't noticed, things aren't going great (especially for the weak - our brothers), brilliance is suppressed and we don't even realize it. We (humanity, intelligence) are so lucky to be here and so powerful and capable of that's imagined and all conceivable. Look what we have accomplished so far. Push the envelope people, we can all play this game. Embrace your moments, like Yoda says. Everything points to YES. There is so much opportunity we are missing out on. We should have civilizations on Mars by now. The first and greatest step, however, is that we must become selfless (Like Jedi) and we may just go where no ones been. Thank TOOL for the passion they put into our civilization, because not many talk about it. You need courage to speak the truth and cross the line. You always earn respect when you hold onto your integrity. Tool explores the RAW nature of these carbon based units (forms we hold now) watch it bend. ALIVE !

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