Filter – Captain Bligh

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  General Comment:scarr, I've read in interviews that it's an allegory for his relationship with Reznor.
  Whether they wanted to live in Tahiti, or had no choice, Bligh's men still resembled Patrick in that they'd abandoned their leader and now had to make it on their own.

  Flag thedukeyon June 22, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:I hadn't heard the Reznor ties before, but I can see the connection. I've read Richard recounting the story (as he knew it, which is how it affects the song) of William Bligh in interviews. (That was all he said the song was about in what I'd read.) Richard saw how Bligh was one of the greatest navigators the world had seen, but while being incredibly talented, he was cruel to the crew that worked under him. He pushed them too far, and that led to mutiny.
  
  Evidence shows Bligh was quick-tempered, but didn't actually punish his crew as much as other officers typically did. I don't think the crew deserted him to live in Tahiti. After a mutiny, they didn't have a choice of returning to England--they were criminals evading prosecution. In trying to survive on the islands, most of the mutineers were killed by natives. Bligh was able to keep all but one of the loyalists he was cast off the Bounty (in a small boat) with from that fate, while navigating to safety without any map or compass.
  
  
  I have to admit, I've never been sure which side of the situation this song is writted from. I can see a lot of it as the conflict inside Bligh--trying to show he can control his men and the regret of failing to. I can also see it as the voice of the mutineer(s), asking that Bligh give a "little bit" and also acknowledging their guilt in defying his authority.

  Flag scarron November 20, 2006   Link

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• +1
  General Comment:Vice Admiral William Bligh was the captain of the H.M.S. Bounty - you may have heard of Mutiny on the Bounty. He was a lenient captain but he had a lot of personality disorders. His crew deserted him so they could live in Tahiti, as opposed to England. That makes me think that for Richard Patrick, Trent's controlling nature is like dreary England, and the grass is greener on the Filter side - so he committed 'mutiny' on the captain of NIN.

  Flag thedukeyon September 30, 2006   Link

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• 0
  General Comment:this explains why the original nine inch nails broke up.
  St@rfucker explains it well

  Flag aocrkidon August 12, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:isolation*

  Flag Soldier1288on May 15, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:in an mtv interview with reznor they pointed out that his isolation is so infamous and that the band filter who's lead singer used to be in NIN wrote this song about reznor's isoloation habits

  Flag Soldier1288on May 15, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:in an mtv interview with reznor they pointed out that his isolation is so infamous and that the band filter who's lead singer used to be in NIN wrote this song about reznor's isoloation habits

  Flag Soldier1288on May 15, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:Yep, it's about Trent Reznor.

  Flag kmk_natashaon April 03, 2006   Link

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• +2
  General Comment:its actuall about Trent Reznor's anti social habbits by richard after he left NIN

  Flag NewNrthnHorizonon March 08, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:Maybe...I've heard that there was a real "captain bligh"..and the song is about how he was a cruel man towards his crew and in the end they turned on him and he was just left with regret.

  Flag St@rfuckeron May 08, 2005   Link

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