Weezer – The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)

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  General Comment:Only one man was the greatest man that ever lived. His name was Jesus Christ. This song is a tribute. I'm surprised no one is hip to this yet. This song is based on a hymn, that is your first clue. Let me read the lyrics for you. Follow the star. Cut my heart with a martyr's spike. I can take on anybody. I've got more than enough for you. I've got answers to the tangled knot. I was born to give. When he says soon I'll be playing in your underwear, that's a funny way of saying under your skin, in your heart. Rivers has written songs like The Angel and The One where he talks about denying his sexual prowess because God has commanded him to. Act 1 Jesus is a poor boy. Act 2 he's making a commotion, everyone is following him. I'll be up here in a rage till they bring the curtain down on the stage. That means the show is over, and he's talking about the show of life. Jesus is supernatural, that's why he says he's radioactive. Funny thing he's also radio active, active on the radio. Jesus is on the radio. There's 12 styles to this song Rap 0:35 Slipknot 1:00 Jeff Buckley 1:26 Choral 1:51 Aerosmith 2:17 Nirvana 2:43 Andrews Sisters 3:08 Green Day 3:33 Elvis 4:06 Bach 4:37 Beethoven 4:54 Weezer 5:10 which is really cool. I've been told I'm going crazy. No more words will the critics have to speak.
  This is an epic song. Way to go Weezer, a real masterpiece. Weezer also has done Christmas CD. A lot of people just aren't hip to the gospel, the hippest word that ever lived. What if everything people were telling you was really true? Rivers is a spiritual guy. Praises to Jah for saving us when were doomed. Call out to Him, he will be there.

  Flagged Audionaut365on January 22, 2012   Link

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    You are such a fucking nigger. You are the biggest fucking, faggot ignorant, nigger piece of shit in the world. Go to college and become educated. Your probably some lame piece of shit in the midwest who can't think for himself. Go fuck yourself you worthlesss, pig like piece of shit.

    Flagged teamkantneron September 18, 2012  
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  General Comment:The part "The whole world is a stage, and each of us is a play", I can kinda relate to that. In act 1 of my life, I was down and defeated, I let others push me around to an extent and such. But in act 2, I'm like a freaking king. Anyone try to put me down, I just shake it off. I'm relaxed, cool-headed, and enjoys every minute of my life. Sometimes I just feel like I could be the greatest. Now I don't know if this is what he meant with the song, but to me it's kind of like this :)

  Flag PrecipiceOfChangeon August 15, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:As this song follows 'Troublemaker' as the second song on the album, I think it can be read as a companion piece to that, as a song about dumb, rich, sexist, oversexed rock stars thinking they are the greatest, and that they were simply born to give, to share their talent with us lesser mere mortals. In fact, I thought it might turn into a concept album about that after these first two songs, but it didn't.
  
  The songs' varied musical styles pay tribute to those different types of artists I think, and there are bits that sound like Limp Bizkit, Green Day (though I think they're friends, and it's not the first time Weezer have sounded like Green Day, in fact I think Rivers studied a lot of their music to see what makes a hit), that band with the singer who looks like a lion whose name I can't think of right now, Kid Rock, any number of rock/rap groups, Blink 182, etc..
  
  I think in some ways Weezer are parodying those bands, but also maybe paying tribute to their musical styles, or at least it's an affectionate parody, 'cos they do them so well. The choral voice bit sounds quite Beach Boys-y too, and I know Rivers is a big fan, but maybe it has to do with the Shaker hymn I haven't heard, I don't know.
  
  Also, all the different styles are just an accomplished band having fun playing, and creating something new.
  
  I still don't know about the radioactive line, or even if that is what he's singing at all, but I can't suggest anything better, so...
  
  But I think in some ways it's also a warning song about how inflated one's ego can get, when you become a "star". Because I have often found myself singing along and believing the lyrics about myself. It's a very seductive lifestyle, I imagine, being a rock star, and it must be easy to fall into that trap of thinking you're God because everyone is telling you you are, like the Facebook page about Rivers. So there's actually quite a lot going on in something that on first listen can seem quite shallow. That's the genius of Weezer, God bless 'em.
  
  And that's enough now. I've just finished a nightshift, so none of this probably makes any sense :)

  Flag FishesWillLaughon May 16, 2011   Link

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  My Interpretation:To me, this song seems that it's about Jesus. It's saying about he's the greatest man that ever lived (being the son of god) and that he was born to give (give up his life to save humanity). "Look up and follow the star (referring to the birth of Jesus). "Cut my heart with a martyr's spike (Jesuss crusifiction). Also the part where he talks about act 1 and act 2 could be referring to the old and new testament. I don't know if it's just me who thinks this but this always comes into my head when I hear this song.

  Flag Shreddamonmonon August 18, 2010   Link

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    Only in the sense that over-inflated ego rock stars can think they're Jesus, or have a Jesus Complex. I don't think he was secretly sending you messages that GOD IS GREAT.

    Flag FishesWillLaughon May 16, 2011  
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  General Comment:this song is fabulous, and to anyone who doesnt think so, that's very nice for you,
  
  but as a wise wise and very attractive man once said
  
  
  
  *******if you don't like it, you can shove it.*******
  

  Flag xx37LOLon August 05, 2010   Link

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  Song Meaning:I think in a lot of his songs rivers tries to portray a persona that he is unable to express directly. This song is just one instant where he is doing that. The entire song talks about someone who perceives himself as completely awesome, extraordinary, and just a complete winner. At the end of the song, this character rivers plays says "I was born to give" which seems to contradict what this character has been saying, foreshadow an eminent settling down of the character, or further contribute to the personality of the character whereas he feels like a he has a lot to give just because.
  
  Its a really good song simply because the lyrical meaning stays consistent throughout the entire song over stylistic changes that change constantly. The numerous styles incorporated in the song seem to differentiate it from all other songs and for that it is generally pleasing and the best song on the Red Album.

  Flag stanleymarsh48on June 16, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:One thing that for some reason really bugs me every time I listen to this song is the line "Somebody said all the world's a stage, And each of us is a player"
  Surely everyone knows that Shakespeare said that. Not "Somebody" ah well perhaps they thought it sounded better. :p
  
  Brilliant song otherwise.

  Flag Wackieston May 23, 2010   Link

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    I think he's writing this song from a kind of Fred Durst/Blink 182 singer persona, and so is alluding to their lack of education (but self-perceived wisdom) when he says, "Somebody said..."

    Flag FishesWillLaughon May 16, 2011  
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  General Comment:okkkk i like the song and all but i just realized this
  
  weezer.
  Somebody said all the world's a stage
  And each of us is a player
  That's what I've been tryin' to tell you
  In Act 1 I was struggling to survive
  Nobody wanted my action dead or alive
  Act 2, I hit the big time
  And bodies be all up on my behind
  And I can't help myself because I was born to shine
  And if you don't like it, you can shove it
  But you don't like it, you love it
  So I'll be up here in a rage
  'til they bring the curtain down on the stage
  
  
  Elvis, Are you lonesome tonight lyrics:
  
  I wonder if you're lonesome tonight
  You know someone said that the world's a stage
  And each must play a part.
  Fate had me playing in love you as my sweet heart.
  Act one was when we met, I loved you at first glance
  You read your line so cleverly and never missed a cue
  Then came act two, you seemed to change and you acted strange
  And why I'll never know.
  Honey, you lied when you said you loved me
  And I had no cause to doubt you.
  But I'd rather go on hearing your lies
  Than go on living without you.
  Now the stage is bare and I'm standing there
  With emptiness all around
  And if you won't come back to me
  Then make them bring the curtain down.
  
  
  stealing from elvis?! pretty lame.

  Flag jttoxon August 15, 2009   Link

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    well, first off, Elvis stole it fron Shakespear first if you want to get technical. Secondly, the structure of the verse is the same, but not the meaning/content of the lyrics (Rivers' is mostly about himself, while the elvis version is about the relationship with a woman) but I honsetly think it is intentional. Elvis is, afterall EXACTLY the type of artist Rivers is taking a jab at with the whole song... the larger than life, making teenage girls faint type of dude.

    Flag Steepdogon September 13, 2009  
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  General Comment:I was lucky enough to be forced into playing trombone in high school. Only because one year, as our closer song, we played something called "Chorale and Shaker Dance," by someone named John Zdelchik (sp?) Greatest Man mirrors the frequently differing rhythms in this song, almost too a tee. I'm not sure if Aaron Copland did this song first (Simple Gifts, Appalachian Spring) or Zdelchik, but having played Zdelchik's version 10 years ago, I still recognized it right away. In that sense, although .01% of the population will ever realize, this song is a masterpiece.
  
  Lyrically, from my standpoint, it'd be tough to write, and this is what he came up with. As the changes in beat go, the messages change too.
  
  Honestly, this could be going really deep, but I think it may be a reflection of what it's like to live with ADD (Changing rhythm/lyrics = inability to focus on one thought). I've believed Rivers has been tortured with it for years, possibly having a severe case...it's often referenced that he "can't control his brain," and the numerous songs that are about failures with women and the inability to carry conversation or a relationship with them.
  
  I only say this because it takes one to know one, but I'm certain I'm spot on...Rivers scores a 125 out of 100 on the ADHD test, which has manifested the manic/depression we all know he has.
  
  Heard it hear first.

  Flag wakeforest22on July 18, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:Anyone ever think this song might be about Jesus? Although I'm not a highly religious person, that's my interpretation.
  
  "Look up and follow the star" was what kinda sold it for me. And who else can we really call the greatest man that ever lived?
  
  Lastly, on one of the youtube performances of this song, Rivers opens with "Your work is not done, my friend!"
  
  Whatever the meaning, this is a sick song!

  Flag machi1501on May 07, 2009   Link

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    ummm...considering I'm pretty sure the whole first verse is about him bragging to a girl about how great and rich and famous he is and that he knows she wants to bang him because of it, I'm kinda thinking its NOT about Jesus.
    
    But hey, I've been wrong once or twice before.

    Flag Steepdogon September 13, 2009  

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