I think this is one of the most astounding songs I've heard in a long time and even surpasses the quality of their first album. I believe the song is about a guy who, having grown-up with a degree of idealism, is encouraged by what he sees on television to go to war to protect his wife/girlfriend and the way of life he believes in. He says 'I'd rather be a functioning cog in some great machinery, servin' something beyond me' and 'I don't need to be kind to the armies of night that would do such injustice to you, or bow down and be grateful and say "sure take all that you see" to the men who move only in dimly-lit halls
and determine my future for me'. There is a line that says 'I don't know who to believe' suggesting he has second thoughts...?
The slower-paced ending has him dreaming and hoping of going home to the girl he loves and imaging a more beautiful place than the one he currently inhabits.
The final line is something of a conundrum - perhaps he concedes that he will 'be like the man on the screen' meaning the older voice who encourages the young to war?
I think this is one of the most astounding songs I've heard in a long time and even surpasses the quality of their first album. I believe the song is about a guy who, having grown-up with a degree of idealism, is encouraged by what he sees on television to go to war to protect his wife/girlfriend and the way of life he believes in. He says 'I'd rather be a functioning cog in some great machinery, servin' something beyond me' and 'I don't need to be kind to the armies of night that would do such injustice to you, or bow down and be grateful and say "sure take all that you see" to the men who move only in dimly-lit halls and determine my future for me'. There is a line that says 'I don't know who to believe' suggesting he has second thoughts...?
The slower-paced ending has him dreaming and hoping of going home to the girl he loves and imaging a more beautiful place than the one he currently inhabits.
The final line is something of a conundrum - perhaps he concedes that he will 'be like the man on the screen' meaning the older voice who encourages the young to war?
Sensational.