Tool: The Grudge Meaning

The Grudge Lyrics

Wear the grudge like a crown
Of negativity
Calculate what you will
Will not tolerate
Desperate to control
All and everything
Unable to forgive
Your scarlet letterman

Clutch it like a cornerstone
Otherwise it all comes down
Justify...

1. SensitiveSoul

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   Feb 10th 2006 !⃝

   I just want to say I recognized my own experiences in Zag's story. I also believe the song is about being able to let go certain persons or situations. It's about moving on, and becoming stronger than you were before. The song warns against holding a grudge, 'cause these leaden grudges drag you down like a stone in the ocean, leaving you to drown (beautiful metaphor!...) The song itself (instrumental) expresses the anger you feel when someone has mistreated you, but the lyrics add a meaningful message to the feelings expressed by the music. The lyrics are sung by a person who has already gone through this and can give the unexperienced advice on how to cope with a loss...
2. anonymous

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   Jan 23rd 2006 !⃝

   If I recall correctly Maynard said this was a song written about one of his close friends and his feelings toward this person after a falling out which was never really explained by him...
3. infinitepaths

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   Jan 22nd 2006 !⃝

   First off, what is this "unable to forgive your scarlet letterman" OH! So we are speaking of a specific thing, so it really can't be about just any grudge, right? Unless of course your writer chooses to use a red pen, haha. Who has red lettering, Jesus does in the bible. Any red writing in the bible are supposed actual words that Jesus said. Ok, now, "Clutch it like a cornerstone. Otherwise it all comes down. Justify denials and grip 'em to the lonesome end." cornerstone=foundation(in dictionary) People that believe in God and follow that religion hold on to their beliefs and aim to make it the foundation in the lives. We are not talking about a preference for a certain color or a hobby. This is serious, we are talking about the reason why we are all here! A certain devotion to a lifestyle, must be followed, there are certain things that you do when you are a lamb of God. Anyway, there was a point in my life where I blamed God, or had resentment toward him for allowing all the suffering that I have endured in my life. I questioned that if he was so powerful and loving, how could he allow it to happen. Also, I then stopped blaming when I understood the reason for our suffering, but that is jumping too far ahead. The grudge is the feeling of resentment toward whatever you feel about the topic. Maynard is not saying to go get baptised and repent, no way, he is saying to let some love inside and "let go" of that hate and doubt. You will never know anything more or new on a topic if you are not open to it. Love, forgivness, being a good person by doing whatever you feel being a good person would be. Letting go of that resistance so you may have your own mind, free of that stone, that crown of negativity. Yeah!! you a king, you rule your world, but your a king of negativity. Would you care more of being the one that chooses your purpose, or would you be open to the possiblity of another ruling? Has our democracy, or our freedom of choice become so that we will not be open to a leader. I really do not feel that Maynard is aiming toward God, but just speaking about how we are less willing to be fairly open to it based on our desire to choose our own. We are falling farther and farther away by not being open to certain things. Hate is like a poison, it spreads and may ruin most of what is good. Since people in general follower the leader, be a leader of hope and reason. A leader of love and forgivness and understanding. Others will follow. It is like when you go into work and your co-worker has a bad attitude, talks shit and is just negative and complains, you have a shitty working environment, but if you work with someone that is happy and in a good mood, you may find your own spirits being lifted because it would be more f a pleasant working envirnoment. You might even get more done, and maybe even with a good attitude, and you might even be making the best of your time there. It is the same as the world. We are surrounded by negativity and it is causing our "world" to be not so pleasant of an environment. We do have choice in our world, it starts right there in your chair and in mine. We do have the power to change the way that thing s are, but after a couple of days, somehow, we fall into our old patterns, what we have always known. Even if you get caught back in that undertow, learn to swim, keep your head above water. Watch the Aenima music video. Sorry for being so passionate, I know that is a no-no here on this planet. :)
4. anonymous

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   Jan 10th 2006 !⃝

   Have you ever had a grudge to what someone said? It tells us how we should not get held back by what happens to you, but throw away the burden, and turn 'these leaden grudges into gold." Very very cool lyrics

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
5. anonymous

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   Dec 9th 2005 !⃝

   This is a direct referance to astrology and the aspects concerning the celestial body Saturn. Historically, people have carried a personal grudge with the manner Saturn teaches. This song explains by transcending the lessons of Saturn when it comes back around it will spit you out like a child light and innocent. It also is a metophor for alchemy. "Transmutate these leaded grudges into gold". Saturn represents this (lead).

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