This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
When all is said and done, we're not the only ones
Who look at life this way, that's what the old folks say
But every time I'd see them makes me wish I had a gun
If I thought that I was crazy, well, I guess I'd have more fun
Guess I'd have more fun
Ooh, the Catcher in the Rye again
Ooh, won't let you get away from him
It's just another day like today
You decide 'cause I don't have to
And then they'll find and I won't ask you
At any time or long hereafter
If the cold outside's as I'm imagining
It to be, oh, oh
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Ah, na-na-na
Ah-ah-ah
Ooh, the Catcher in the Rye again
Ooh, won't let you get away from him
It's just another day like today
When all is said and done, we're not the only ones
Who look at life this way, that's what the young folks say
As if they'd ever change as that were mine to say
But every time I'd see them makes me wish I had a gun
If I thought that I was crazy, well, I guess I'd have more fun
'Cause what used to be's not there for me
And ought to for someone that belonged
Insane, like I do
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
On an ordinary day, not in an ordinary way
All at once, the song I heard, no longer would it play
For anybody or anyone
That needed comfort from somebody
Needed comfort from someone
Who cared to be not like you and unlike me
And then the voices went away from me
Somehow, you set the wheels in motion, now haunts our memories
You were the instrument, you were the one
How a body, took a body, you gave that boy a gun
Took our innocence beyond our stares
Sometimes, the only thing we counted on when no one else was there
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah
Ah-na, na-na, na-na
Who look at life this way, that's what the old folks say
But every time I'd see them makes me wish I had a gun
If I thought that I was crazy, well, I guess I'd have more fun
Guess I'd have more fun
Ooh, the Catcher in the Rye again
Ooh, won't let you get away from him
It's just another day like today
You decide 'cause I don't have to
And then they'll find and I won't ask you
At any time or long hereafter
If the cold outside's as I'm imagining
It to be, oh, oh
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Ah, na-na-na
Ah-ah-ah
Ooh, the Catcher in the Rye again
Ooh, won't let you get away from him
It's just another day like today
When all is said and done, we're not the only ones
Who look at life this way, that's what the young folks say
As if they'd ever change as that were mine to say
But every time I'd see them makes me wish I had a gun
If I thought that I was crazy, well, I guess I'd have more fun
'Cause what used to be's not there for me
And ought to for someone that belonged
Insane, like I do
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
On an ordinary day, not in an ordinary way
All at once, the song I heard, no longer would it play
For anybody or anyone
That needed comfort from somebody
Needed comfort from someone
Who cared to be not like you and unlike me
And then the voices went away from me
Somehow, you set the wheels in motion, now haunts our memories
You were the instrument, you were the one
How a body, took a body, you gave that boy a gun
Took our innocence beyond our stares
Sometimes, the only thing we counted on when no one else was there
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah
Ah-na, na-na, na-na
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obviously you guys didnt read J.D. Salinger's book "The Catcher In The Rye"
yes its true the song does talk about John Lenon. but this song is also a reference to the book itself.
for example "Took our innocence", in the book. the main character says he wants to be "the catcher in the rye" because he wants to catch children from falling off a cliff. this symbolizes how he wants to catch children from falling out of innocence, when they grow up.
another example "That needed comfort from somebody And needed comfort from someone" throughout the whole book the main character is on his own and is in need to express his feelings to someone however he shields himself with a barrier of cynicism.
he sees the world as a phony place which brings me to "We're not the only ones Who look at life this way"
unless you guys read the book you guys wont know what im talking about
Im reading the book right now :D
This is the best song that was leaked...I can't stop listening to it.
Axl said himself in december of 2008 on Mygnrforum.com that it has several meanings. He didn't write it about one certain thing, he said the end verse is about Lennon's death, but that's it. The rest is about innocense.
Quote from Axl about this song: For me the song is inspired by what's referred to sometimes as Holden Caulfield syndrome. I feel there's a possibility that how the writing is structured with the thinking of the main character could somehow reprogram for lack of a better word some who may be a bit more vulnerable, with a skewed way of thinking and tried to allow myself to go what may be there or somewhat close during the verses. I'd think for most those lines are enjoyed as just venting, blowing off steam, humor or some type of entertainment where it may be how others seriously live in their minds. The bridge b4 the solo is an artistic interpretation of a institutionalized mind. The outro is a tribute to Lennon and an indictment of the author for writing what i feel is utter garbage and I agree whole heartedly that it should be discontinued as required reading in schools. That's my take, I could be completely wrong, I do realize that the song and title could have the next poor soul reading the book and feeling inspired to make an unfortunate statement. So there's the catch I guess.
holden caulfield was the main character in the book The Catcher in the Rye
It's about John Lennon and Mark Chapman. Axl got inspiration to write the song after watching a documentary about Lennon's death and Chapman's obsession with the book Catcher in the Rye. The verses are, as Axl says, like from Holden's perspective (Holden being the main character in the book).
The final verse is talking more directly about Lennon's murder and the impact it had.
I was looking at the old song Comin' Thru the Rye
Gin[C] a body meet a body Comin thro' the rye, Gin a body kiss a body, Need a body cry?[D]
The old song was about teenagers meeting in the fields of rye to make out.
Salinger changed it too Catch a body coming through the rye, as in stop them growing up.
Axl changed it to
"Somebody Took a body" turning it back on Salinger. I always thought that was smart, given what the song is about, even presented in this composite form.
Another thing is it's not about the book directly. It's sung from the perspective of a Holden Caulfield Syndrome suffer ie a victim of the book. Axl is trying to sing from the perspective of those individuals young and old effected by the book. Then end up in a mental hospital. Then the last verse is Axl paying tribute to Lennon while point his finger at the Salinger. The chorus is kind of mocking the verses.<br /> <br /> Like some said there may refs to book scattered through out it, but according to Axl he only read it once and threw it straight in the trash, so I don't it's much more than semi-conscious refs.<br /> <br /> Personally When I heard it I felt it was about Kurt Cobain's suicide, but that's another story...
This song is apparently about Mark Chapman and the murder of John Lennon.
Brian May plays lead guitar.
nah brian may's part was taken out in post production.
I think that the "Some type of moment/There ya got it/The only thing you did" lines are actually "Sometimes we only/think we got it all/When no-one else is there". But yeah, it's my fav leaked song too.
i dnt have it, whered u get it from?
it's gotta have something to do with the lennon murder by chapman. chapman said the book 'the catcher in the rye' was some sort of influence or something.