Gunfire in the street
Where we used to meet
Echoes that are beat
And the bass goes bomb
Right over my head
Step over the dead
Remember what you said
You know the part about life
Is just a waking dream
Well, I know what you mean
But that ain't how it seems right here, right now
How can this be real?
I can barely feel
Anymore

I am trying to see
I am trying to believe
This is not where I should be
I am trying to believe

Blood hardens in the sand
Cold metal in my hand
Hope you understand the way that things are gonna be
There's nowhere left to hide
'Cause God is on our side
I keep telling myself

I am trying to see
I am trying to believe
This is not where I should be
I am trying to believe



Lyrics submitted by onethousandnails

Track duration: 03:23

"The Good Soldier" as written by Trent Reznor

Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


The Good Soldier song meanings
Add your thoughts

43 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment:One hardened soldier's perspective who has fought in early wars. Possibly in the middle east.
    It's a moral and religious "war" in his mind that confuses the soldier while under old rules for a new world government.
    Unfortunately he is in his hometown remembering a friends philosophical statement while in a cold reality of marshal law
    operations against his own neiborhood, friends, maybe his own blood relatives. (Flashing back from old memories to the present war) He's obviously been brainwashed by life in whole but reason and doubt is waking him from a numb life experience. He wants to believe in a God and a reason why a war for peace. The real war rages in his soul. Is there a god? Should he put loyalty in God, "family" or military first? When in reality a God card was delt to deceive others to join or unify or you were a terrorist. A false holy war to speak but more in depth on many levels. This could be any government, soldier or civilian from any country that uses God or Muhammad as a prop for control or domination over another but is waking up to reality filled with lies trying to break free.

    Flag Theascenon October 24, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Love this song, gotta be one of my favs on YZ. As for the meaning, I think this song is about a soldier who is fighting a war for the U.S.. While fighting, he sees the horrors of the war. He doesn't wanna say that he think it is wrong, so he tries to force himself into supporting the war (e.g., "I am trying to believe"). Near the second verse of the song, he begins to see things from the perspective his leaders want him to, mostly likely thanks to the drugs they have him on. At the end, near the breakdown and final chorus, he sees what he has become, and begins to regret all his decisions.
    Flag JouBeTrollinSiron June 25, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think that this song is from a soldiers point of view, trying to believe that he is fighting for the right thing, but deep inside he knows he isnt.
    Flag MisterNamelesson September 30, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:First part is from a civilian's point of view, not being able to beleive whats going on around him.

    Second part is from the Soldiers point of view trying to convince himself that he is doing the right thing.
    Flag iconofsinon May 14, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment: Eatyourfriends101 said "guys, once again, great interpretations, but you have too look at it from the "year zero" perspective.

    okay, so i've been playing the ARG [alternate reality game, for more info, go to wikipedia and search Year Zero] and there's a few bits of information from that that makes sense.

    okay, 1. in the ARG, there's a unit, the 105th Airborne Crusaders. they "fought with god on their side" basically think a military unit with no morality because they think that god wants them to kill all the brown people. anyway. i'm thinking its a guy who was disgraced/ejected from the 105th for doubting the propaganda, but he wants to continue fighting, because his doubt is killing him.

    2. there is a guy in the story, he goes by the name "angrysniper"... he used to be a member of the 105th, but he retired, or was discharged for other reasons. he bombs a ball park and shoots several civillians as an act of resistance, but anyway, i'm thinking this might be him, before the terrorist acts. like, earlier in his life.

    3. also, there is a drug mentioned in the ARG, its a red pill is all i know about its ID, it evidently erases the line between killing and having sex. this may be a person't early response to this, and the remorse upon the damage done to him..

    yeah, none of this probably makes sense. and i've written to much. so bah!"


    I played that alternative reality game a wile back myself and I know what angrysniper you are talking about. Yes I never thought about it before but thats a good point where this fits in. This who album is so masterfully mixed with the alt-reality that was created. Its very eerie when you play through it and listen to the songs....

    Flag sacrisikon April 23, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think its about a soldier doesn't want to admit that he is enjoying the war and that he feels like he belongs in it.
    Flag bballkvnon January 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this is about the singer killing someone who used to be his friend, part of the revolutionaries or something.

    "Remember what you said..." Him remembering things they used to talk about...

    "Blood, hardens in the sand, hope you understand the way that things are going to be..."

    Him after killing his old friend...telling himself that he had too for the good of the nation ect...
    Flag RagePrimeon April 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song highly metaphorical. Sticking with the story of the album, this is about the point where The Angry Sniper realizes what he has been doing for his country, and doesn't like the idea of it. He's become so desensitized by war and anger and violence that he can't feel anything anymore. It's about the point when The Angry Sniper begins hating his country for what it has done to him and the rest of the world.
    Flag furtherutilitieson January 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Sure it might have other meanings, but I think Trent was just aiming at 'the angry sniper' thing. I dont think hes decided to rebel yet. I think hes just realizing how screwed things are, and hes trying to live with it.
    Flag Lester_91on October 30, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I absolutely agree with themuz. With NIN, you can't be limited in your thinking, because Trent Reznor's music is so incredibly deep.
    Flag S0mewhatDamagedxon October 13, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain