Well, in my opinion this song is about being a young & maybe a little naive &/or introverted girl and finding yourself loving a man who is at first very charming, carefree & outgoing, and seems at first to be without limits, as in
"There was a time
you opened up every doorway
you didn't mind if everything
wasn't your way"
then that man starts to gradually become more introverted & shows their more possessive/obsessive side to you as the relationship progresses, even while they keep up the appearance of being carefree & outgoing to everyone else,
"Don't pull away
that goes against what you told me
I look in your eyes
I realize what you've sold me
is love in a vacuum"
so you confront them about the way they're acting and of course they deny it,
"I think you've changed
but you insist that
that's not true"
quite possibly they are an addict of some sort, my guess would be cocaine, &/or showing very obsessive behavior towards you (early on in the video for this song we see the man hanging a picture up, it is a very large portrait of Aimee & it is prominently displayed in his/their apartment for the duration of the song), thus their "love in a vacuum",
"You look so strange, so distant
that you're hardly you
Now I can see
how you have been acting different
You say it's me
but I know
that it isn't
it's love in a vacuum"
but still you are in love with them and don't want to leave them and you know that they are truly in love with you and they don't want you to leave them either, maybe they are convinced you can save them from themself, maybe they are so broken that the possibility of an overdose &/or suicide attempt is very real and you want to get through to them that their behavior not only dangerous but it is also just pissing you off and if they don't wise up they run the risk of loosing you, as in the lines
"You will be lonely
if you leave me alone", so you want to save them but can't get through to them due to the addiction &/or emotional problems they have,
"Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
love in a vacuum
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
You will be lonely
if you leave me alone
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough"
you want them to understand that the love they are giving you is not enough when it is filtered through the vacuum of their drug addiction &/or emotional impairment,
"You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough
and just wait
you will be lonely
Love in a vacuum
Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
Love in a vacuum".
'Love In A Vacuum' for me is a hauntingly truthful acute argument on the loneliness of obsession and almost inevitable loss of love that follows people who are broken in some way or another; the obsessives, the coke heads, the drunks, addicts or the just-plain-old emotionally broken; a razor sharp, lyrically driven, deceptively poppy, yet ultimately-depressing-in-the-best-way song.
Quintessential Aimee Mann.
There was a decorated General with a heart of gold
That likened him to all the stories he told
Of past battles won and lost and legends of old
A seasoned veteran in his own time
On the battlefield he gained respect for fame
With many metals of bravery and stripes to his name
He grew a beard as soon as he could to cover the scars on his face
And always urged his men on
But on the eve of great battle with the infantry and dream
The old general tossed in his sleep and wrestled with its meaning
He awoke from that night to tell what he had seen
And walked slowly out of his tent
All the men held tall with their chests in the air
With the courage in their blood and a fire in their stare
And it was a gray morning and they all wondered how they would fair
Till the old general told them to go home
He said
I have seen the others
And I have discovered
That this fight is not worth fighting
And I've have seen their mothers
And I will no other
To follow me where I'm going
So, take your shower, shine your shoes
You got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living
Take your shower, shine your shoes
Well, you got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living
Go now, you are forgiven
But the men stood fast with their guns on their shoulders
Not knowing what to do with the contradicting orders
The general said he would do his own duty but he would extend it no further
The men could go as they pleased
But not a man moved, their eyes gazed straight ahead
Till one by one they stepped back and not a word was said
And the old general was left with his own words echoing in his head
He then prepared to fight
He said
I have seen the others
And I have discovered
That this fight is not worth fighting, no
And I've have seen their mothers
And I will no other
To follow me where I'm going
So, take your shower, shine your shoes
You got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living, yeah
Take your shower, shine your shoes
Well, you got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living
Go now you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, got to be, got to be, got to be, got to be, got to be, hey (go now you are forgiven)
That likened him to all the stories he told
Of past battles won and lost and legends of old
A seasoned veteran in his own time
On the battlefield he gained respect for fame
With many metals of bravery and stripes to his name
He grew a beard as soon as he could to cover the scars on his face
And always urged his men on
But on the eve of great battle with the infantry and dream
The old general tossed in his sleep and wrestled with its meaning
He awoke from that night to tell what he had seen
And walked slowly out of his tent
All the men held tall with their chests in the air
With the courage in their blood and a fire in their stare
And it was a gray morning and they all wondered how they would fair
Till the old general told them to go home
He said
I have seen the others
And I have discovered
That this fight is not worth fighting
And I've have seen their mothers
And I will no other
To follow me where I'm going
So, take your shower, shine your shoes
You got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living
Take your shower, shine your shoes
Well, you got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living
Go now, you are forgiven
But the men stood fast with their guns on their shoulders
Not knowing what to do with the contradicting orders
The general said he would do his own duty but he would extend it no further
The men could go as they pleased
But not a man moved, their eyes gazed straight ahead
Till one by one they stepped back and not a word was said
And the old general was left with his own words echoing in his head
He then prepared to fight
He said
I have seen the others
And I have discovered
That this fight is not worth fighting, no
And I've have seen their mothers
And I will no other
To follow me where I'm going
So, take your shower, shine your shoes
You got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living, yeah
Take your shower, shine your shoes
Well, you got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living
Go now you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, got to be, got to be, got to be, got to be, got to be, hey (go now you are forgiven)
Lyrics submitted by dragonflower44, edited by taramae88
The General Lyrics as written by Peter Heimbold Bradley Joseph Corrigan
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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.
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Jesus refrences fit anything. I don't think there is one here. I think the song is a bit deeper than ya'll think.
First its the sotry of a general. The general's life is to fight. Fighting is his job, duty, and probably the reason the general thinks he exists.
He "sees the others" his opponents and sees we are the same as everyone else. We are all human we all have mothers dying isn't worth it.
He tells his men, who are not living to fight and die but only ordered to at his command, that he has re-thaught his life-- his purpose.
The men, or the common folk, really don't want to fight--thats for the general and the poloticans to do. Most folks just want to live and exsist happily. "the men could go as they please"-- the general releases them from certain death. They are young men they must be living. They are fogiven--they are not the ones messing up to world--its him. Take a shower, shine your shoes-- cleanse yourself. just live happily.
But the general is born to fight and cannot live happily. he exsists to fight-- he has no other purpose, but now he realizes war is evil. "he then prepares to fight." He charges the enemy by himself to certain death. He will die. but his men will live. The war will be over and lives will be saved.
Since there are no more men to lead to battle--and indeed he doesn't want to fight anymore because he realizes everyone is really the same-- his life is essentially over. It doesn't matter if he fights, lives or dies. He essentially dies when his army disbands-- he disbands it and essentially commits suicide in the name of pacifism. I would assume he is forgiven too.
Thats my two cents. Try looking at the story told more than the catch phrases. Most old-school generals had beards that doesn't mean he is jesus.
Granted the way I tell the story with him scarficing himself may seem jesus-like. I guess it could be but I prefer to keep the image of the song as a general not as jesus.
What would the implication be if the general was a jesus figure? Well... it appears jesus is fighting a war? A holy war. In other words the song symbolizes religious wars. But religious wars and forced conversions are bad as per this song. The other are like us. There is no reason to opress the native Americans, the arabs, and others in the name of jesus. The general realizes this in his dream. He realizes his whole life--and exsistence-- is full of "it." The general disbands his followers. The men are no longer in his command--no longer sheep. The general charges and essentially dies. If its jesus like it seems to be that religion destroys itself in this song.
If the general is a jesus figure then the song is anti-religion. The songs meaning would then be that religion doesn't matter and for the most part is foolish because it leads to war. Just live your lives with kindness and compassion for "the other." There is no reason to make yourself a slave to a general who just opresses others.
Jesus refrences aren't allways pro-jesus. -D
it is not about jesus....take a shower, shine ya shoes
....maybe "splash yaself with some water from a bucket and buff ya sandles would be more appropriate"
I'll just leave this here...
From en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheGeneral(song)
In The Best of Dispatch, a book containing guitar and voice transcriptions of selected Dispatch songs, Chad Urmston describes "The General":
“ This was our anti-war song. Although it was primarily based on the Civil War, the message was not confined to that particular conflict. We were too young to be directly involved in the Gulf War; nevertheless, the sense of a troubled history rings loud in the heads of young men who grow up listening to grandfathers or fathers recount war stories. The crowd response to this song always blew us away. Some said it had a "Castles Made of Sand" feel - any reference to Hendrix we took gladly. "
I really don't think its about Jesus, the idea just fits. And one thing that does not work at all, is that he was "a decorated general", which would've meant Jesus fought wars and killed many people in the process. And the line about growing a beard, you forget the next line about it being to cover up his scars, so he was tryign to cover up scars from past wars when he shaved before.
The real meaning is more of a story, when a general dreamt of the devastation war caused the night before a battle. He has been in many wars, killed many people, and he thought he was war, and he couldnt be anything else. When the men were waiting for orders, he told them to go home, live a life without war, and he will go into battle by himself to die, because he feels he has no other purpose in life to kill, so he decides to kill himself so no others will die. when the soldiers hear the order, they didn't know whether do as he say or as he do, and decide to do as he say and watch and the general goes into battle (his suicide) by himself to make sure that no one else dies because of his infantry.
the chorus is his orders, and his dream that prompted his to his realization. the second part "take a shower, shine your shoes...go now you are forgiven" IS the general telling them to live a life meant for them, peacefully, and also saying that is you leave before this battle, god will forgive you and you would be "cursed" like he is
When Turnus is about to drag his soldiers to a hopeless war against the Trojans who were destined to find Rome on his soil, everyone tells him to fight along because they won't fight with him. After a long debate, Turnus convinces the soldiers that they must fight for honor, no matter how hopeless. When about to go into war Turnus tells his men to retreat and fights Aeneas, eventual founder of Rome, one on one sending his men to safety. Turnus dies, which is also implied in the song. Turnus is displayed as a villan and evil (just like war to the members of dispatch) but true honor stems from fighting your own battles. Perhaps DIspatch is claiming that if the rich and powerful want to start wars, the greatest honor would to fight it for themselves, like the General in this song.
Good research, and I think in "general" (pun intended) you are spot on with the message.<br /> BUT, the imagery in the song doesn't match the Greek-Roman setting you claim.0<br /> <br /> Specifically, earning military stripes, shining shoes, taking showers and guns on shoulders. <br /> I think it's just a made up situation (American Civil War-esque era) that teaches a lesson. Think The Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon" for example.
nothing much
I'm one of those crazy anti-war people (don't get me started though), and i love this song for its message.. " I have seen the others And I have discovered That this fight is not worth fighting"
now if only everyone else would get it ;)
hahah this song is ok..i just dont like it when ppl think they love dispatch for this song..ahhaha actually i dont care but dispatch is great and this song is pretty great and it mean a lot
i love this song, it's one of 4 that i got off my friend's computer on the network at school, and i love it, and the other 3. i need to get more, but i'm having computer issues-- it won't let me download any right now.......
Whoa folks. This song is hot and it is antiwar, but I've heard the hidden identity of the "general" is supposed to be Jesus....grew a beard as soon as he could, his infantry in dream, urged his men on.... going to face the fight alone----I just thought it was cool when I heard that, I never would have figured it myself
no no no no lol <br /> <br /> "take a shower shine your shoes"<br /> <br /> typical middle eastern trait in the year 18AD !!! lol
i can totally see it being Jesus<br /> i think thats a great way to interpret the song
yeah, that's the feeling i got from the repeating line "you are forgiven"
According to dispatch it's an anti war song based on the civil war, although it can be applied to any war