Even though the songwriter has commented, it's important to remember that even the maker of a thing isn't in control of it's meaning; either the meaning it takes through nuance when it's first created, or the meaning it takes through time as different people interpret it. Or was everyone happy with George Lucas' Star Wars prequel trilogy?
It's kind of funny how no one's really tried to synthesize the two common interpretations- substance abuse and organized religion. The song is about addiction more than it's about drugs- and the highs produced by fervent religious faith are little different than those produced by chemical use. Really, any addiction or controlling behavior could apply to this song... or anything that takes away one's innocence and one's destiny. As much as anything, to me, this song is about growing up and trading away dreams for short-term happiness.
Even though the songwriter has commented, it's important to remember that even the maker of a thing isn't in control of it's meaning; either the meaning it takes through nuance when it's first created, or the meaning it takes through time as different people interpret it. Or was everyone happy with George Lucas' Star Wars prequel trilogy?
It's kind of funny how no one's really tried to synthesize the two common interpretations- substance abuse and organized religion. The song is about addiction more than it's about drugs- and the highs produced by fervent religious faith are little different than those produced by chemical use. Really, any addiction or controlling behavior could apply to this song... or anything that takes away one's innocence and one's destiny. As much as anything, to me, this song is about growing up and trading away dreams for short-term happiness.