I think, from watching the music video, the song is about coping with the apparent meaningless in life. The band members are wandering through the night with flashlights, like how people wander through life without being able to see (understand) things clearly. People distract themselves from the foreboding thought of pointlessness in many ways, which are represented throughout the video. Taking advantage of others (the stealing of the toy car), tragedy (the car wreck), entertainment (the kids watching the fire on the screen, which seems to be a subtle reference to the fact that fires are sometimes called "outdoor TVs" because of their tendency to hold our gaze), sex (the dancer), and, perhaps, religion (the white horse, a common symbol in various spiritual groups throughout history) are all seen as possible ways to fulfill us. The drug references in the lyrics also fit this pattern. All of these paths to fulfillment have a binding effect, that is, it's easy for us to get stuck in them ("It's too late to change your mind"). I have more thoughts, but I feel I've typed too much already.
I have no idea what the woman who has dropped her things means, though...
Can't make much sense about the woman either (her scene is particularly short), but given that she's frantically going through her stuff, maybe she didn't drop her purse, but emptied it because she's desperately searching for something she's missing? That might go with the theme of "loss" that goes with the next verse (and the entire song in general). Brian tries to console her, but she pushes him away. In the next shot, she's on her cell, maybe calling for help.
Can't make much sense about the woman either (her scene is particularly short), but given that she's frantically going through her stuff, maybe she didn't drop her purse, but emptied it because she's desperately searching for something she's missing? That might go with the theme of "loss" that goes with the next verse (and the entire song in general). Brian tries to console her, but she pushes him away. In the next shot, she's on her cell, maybe calling for help.
Btw, that scene is followed by a very brief shot of a colorful sunset - the only bright moment in the entire video (at the same time the music switches to an upbeat major key), and the two reflecting on everything that happened so far; somewhat of a "moment of realization"?
A great post Potatoflesh! This is one of the most astute observations I have ever read. I tend to agree with you about the 'coping with meaninglessness' notion.
A great post Potatoflesh! This is one of the most astute observations I have ever read. I tend to agree with you about the 'coping with meaninglessness' notion.
A few people have said they thought it was specifically about chemical drugs (maybe--who knows for sure except the actual lyricist), but obviously anything can be a drug if it deadens our minds or captivates our consciousness, blocking our pursuit of some bigger picture or great meaning--whether this can actually be found is subjective.
A few people have said they thought it was specifically about chemical drugs (maybe--who knows for sure except the actual lyricist), but obviously anything can be a drug if it deadens our minds or captivates our consciousness, blocking our pursuit of some bigger picture or great meaning--whether this can actually be found is subjective.
Now that I'm seeing what this song may mean (or what thoughts your comments have evoked), I am loving it even better than before. This concept is something that I've been thinking about a lot for the past couple of years.
Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs comes to mind. Perhaps you're familiar with it. The very top portion, above all of our more basic needs, is Self-Actualization or fulfillment. It is a relatively abstract need for happiness, peace, and satisfaction.
There are many things that this world finds pleasure in, however these so often reveal themselves to be trivial and void of any real purpose. Even those things that society has traditionally promoted as meaningful (i.e. establish yourself in a career, raise a family) can fail to fill one up. This just shows that whatever this "self-actualization" may be, it is unique to each individual.
As for me I see this struggle in myself and in many around me. Especially here in the U.S., the land of distraction, so many just want to sit back and be entertained. But once we come down from this high, we see that we're really no better off than we were before. These days I fight hard against the lure of the easy things, constantly trying to educate myself about many subjects. I keep building upon who I already am instead of letting someone or something else show me what they've done. I often say that everyday is a fight against myself; sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. In my opinion, life should not be easy; if it is, it's probably very dull.
Those are my two cents anyhow. Sorry to bombard you with all of that. I'm just excited to find others who can relate to me on these kinds of things. Your thoughts?
Did you also notice how they pass two soldiers walking back the other way? As though our two protagonists are still searching, still seeking an answer and a reason for and here are two soldiers, who have seen all this before, they've gone the distance and now their coming back?
Did you also notice how they pass two soldiers walking back the other way? As though our two protagonists are still searching, still seeking an answer and a reason for and here are two soldiers, who have seen all this before, they've gone the distance and now their coming back?
about the lady who is scrambeling on the ground...
about the lady who is scrambeling on the ground...
independence.
have you ever noticed how not many people want help?
truly.
he tried to help her when he saw her on the ground lookin like she was distressed and obviously in need.
she rejected his gesture.
and do you think someone who doesn't accept help gives help?
i think this is another piece in the video of things/issues twisting the world.
independence.
have you ever noticed how not many people want help?
truly.
he tried to help her when he saw her on the ground lookin like she was distressed and obviously in need.
she rejected his gesture.
and do you think someone who doesn't accept help gives help?
i think this is another piece in the video of things/issues twisting the world.
I think, from watching the music video, the song is about coping with the apparent meaningless in life. The band members are wandering through the night with flashlights, like how people wander through life without being able to see (understand) things clearly. People distract themselves from the foreboding thought of pointlessness in many ways, which are represented throughout the video. Taking advantage of others (the stealing of the toy car), tragedy (the car wreck), entertainment (the kids watching the fire on the screen, which seems to be a subtle reference to the fact that fires are sometimes called "outdoor TVs" because of their tendency to hold our gaze), sex (the dancer), and, perhaps, religion (the white horse, a common symbol in various spiritual groups throughout history) are all seen as possible ways to fulfill us. The drug references in the lyrics also fit this pattern. All of these paths to fulfillment have a binding effect, that is, it's easy for us to get stuck in them ("It's too late to change your mind"). I have more thoughts, but I feel I've typed too much already. I have no idea what the woman who has dropped her things means, though...
youtube.com/watch
What a great post. Thanks a lot!
What a great post. Thanks a lot!
Can't make much sense about the woman either (her scene is particularly short), but given that she's frantically going through her stuff, maybe she didn't drop her purse, but emptied it because she's desperately searching for something she's missing? That might go with the theme of "loss" that goes with the next verse (and the entire song in general). Brian tries to console her, but she pushes him away. In the next shot, she's on her cell, maybe calling for help.
Can't make much sense about the woman either (her scene is particularly short), but given that she's frantically going through her stuff, maybe she didn't drop her purse, but emptied it because she's desperately searching for something she's missing? That might go with the theme of "loss" that goes with the next verse (and the entire song in general). Brian tries to console her, but she pushes him away. In the next shot, she's on her cell, maybe calling for help.
Btw, that scene is followed by a very brief shot of a colorful sunset - the only bright moment in the entire video (at the same time the music switches to an upbeat major key), and the two reflecting on everything that happened so far; somewhat of a "moment of realization"?
Perhaps. Very interesting!
Perhaps. Very interesting!
I love songs where you have to dig to find out the meaning.
I love songs where you have to dig to find out the meaning.
A great post Potatoflesh! This is one of the most astute observations I have ever read. I tend to agree with you about the 'coping with meaninglessness' notion.
A great post Potatoflesh! This is one of the most astute observations I have ever read. I tend to agree with you about the 'coping with meaninglessness' notion.
A few people have said they thought it was specifically about chemical drugs (maybe--who knows for sure except the actual lyricist), but obviously anything can be a drug if it deadens our minds or captivates our consciousness, blocking our pursuit of some bigger picture or great meaning--whether this can actually be found is subjective.
A few people have said they thought it was specifically about chemical drugs (maybe--who knows for sure except the actual lyricist), but obviously anything can be a drug if it deadens our minds or captivates our consciousness, blocking our pursuit of some bigger picture or great meaning--whether this can actually be found is subjective.
Now that I'm seeing what this song may mean (or what thoughts your comments have evoked), I am loving it even better than before. This concept is something that I've been thinking about a lot for the past couple of years.
Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs comes to mind. Perhaps you're familiar with it. The very top portion, above all of our more basic needs, is Self-Actualization or fulfillment. It is a relatively abstract need for happiness, peace, and satisfaction.
There are many things that this world finds pleasure in, however these so often reveal themselves to be trivial and void of any real purpose. Even those things that society has traditionally promoted as meaningful (i.e. establish yourself in a career, raise a family) can fail to fill one up. This just shows that whatever this "self-actualization" may be, it is unique to each individual.
As for me I see this struggle in myself and in many around me. Especially here in the U.S., the land of distraction, so many just want to sit back and be entertained. But once we come down from this high, we see that we're really no better off than we were before. These days I fight hard against the lure of the easy things, constantly trying to educate myself about many subjects. I keep building upon who I already am instead of letting someone or something else show me what they've done. I often say that everyday is a fight against myself; sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. In my opinion, life should not be easy; if it is, it's probably very dull.
Those are my two cents anyhow. Sorry to bombard you with all of that. I'm just excited to find others who can relate to me on these kinds of things. Your thoughts?
Maslow's Hierarchy of needs fits well here. The song is about people who just can't make it to the next level.
Maslow's Hierarchy of needs fits well here. The song is about people who just can't make it to the next level.
I agree with this wholeheartedly.
I agree with this wholeheartedly.
Did you also notice how they pass two soldiers walking back the other way? As though our two protagonists are still searching, still seeking an answer and a reason for and here are two soldiers, who have seen all this before, they've gone the distance and now their coming back?
Did you also notice how they pass two soldiers walking back the other way? As though our two protagonists are still searching, still seeking an answer and a reason for and here are two soldiers, who have seen all this before, they've gone the distance and now their coming back?
awesome to hear your view! thanks
awesome to hear your view! thanks
about the lady who is scrambeling on the ground...
about the lady who is scrambeling on the ground...
independence. have you ever noticed how not many people want help? truly. he tried to help her when he saw her on the ground lookin like she was distressed and obviously in need. she rejected his gesture. and do you think someone who doesn't accept help gives help? i think this is another piece in the video of things/issues twisting the world.
independence. have you ever noticed how not many people want help? truly. he tried to help her when he saw her on the ground lookin like she was distressed and obviously in need. she rejected his gesture. and do you think someone who doesn't accept help gives help? i think this is another piece in the video of things/issues twisting the world.
@Potatoflesh
@Potatoflesh
The purse falling down. Means when everything is falling apart like in life sometimes and there is fuck all you can do about it.
The purse falling down. Means when everything is falling apart like in life sometimes and there is fuck all you can do about it.