I’d say I’d disagree with the idea that this song is about Ian’s epilepsy. I think it’s about a general feeling of loss of identity, meaning, and belonging in this fast, shiny modern world. Sorry if that sounds pretentious. I guess I’ll try to analyze this line-by-line to back up my opinion.
“I've been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand
Could these sensations make me feel the pleasures of a normal man?
New sensations barely interest me for another day
I've got the spirit, lose the feeling, take the shock away”
Ian wants to feel happy in this world, but feels he can’t do it himself (Waiting for a guide).
He tries to do “normal” things to try empathize with what he considers “normal”people (pleasures of a normal man),
But this doesn’t work (barely interested).
Instead he’s dismayed (spirit), but he doesn’t want to be (feeling, shock).
“It's getting faster, moving faster now, it's getting out of hand
On the tenth floor, down the back stairs, it's a no man's land
Lights are flashing, cars are crashing, getting frequent now
I've got the spirit, lose the feeling, let it out somehow”
The first three lines comment on the increasing speed and dehumanization of modern life.
The fourth, he tries to bargain with his dismay. He knows he can’t take it away, so he’s trying to find a constructive outlet (let it out somehow).
“What means to you, what means to me, and we will meet again
I'm watching you, I'm watching her - I take no pity from your friends
Who is right, who can tell, and who gives a damn right now?
Until the spirit, new sensation takes hold - then you know --
[or on all the official live versions:
I've got the spirit, lose the feeling, let it out somehow --]
I've got the spirit, but lose the feeling, feeling, feeling —“
This stanza I’m not so sure of. I think it’s about his increasing detachment, and observing it in others. Lastly, Ian mentions his own dismay at modern life, and his dismay at this being the only thing he feels.
Sorry if this sounds really stupid, but this is what it seems to be about to me at least.
Have a nice day.
I agree, although the line that has always stuck out for me is the one about watching two different females. (Perhaps it's a reflection of Ian; his wife; and the woman he befriended and possibly bed.) It's why I've always hated this song.
I agree, although the line that has always stuck out for me is the one about watching two different females. (Perhaps it's a reflection of Ian; his wife; and the woman he befriended and possibly bed.) It's why I've always hated this song.
Best interpretation around in my opinion. This song remains my favorite precisely because it's very close to my personal feelings, considering myself nearly apathic even if I had a good job and loving girlfriend. I barely figure why but the kind of dehumanized and senseless world we are living in doesn't help. Humans today are all about great perspectives and top-high values from the past but when you look at the world you have better chance to cross selfish behaviors and intellectual mediocrity. Today it's obvious and become clearer day after day but Ian was certainly a sort of "prophet"...
Best interpretation around in my opinion. This song remains my favorite precisely because it's very close to my personal feelings, considering myself nearly apathic even if I had a good job and loving girlfriend. I barely figure why but the kind of dehumanized and senseless world we are living in doesn't help. Humans today are all about great perspectives and top-high values from the past but when you look at the world you have better chance to cross selfish behaviors and intellectual mediocrity. Today it's obvious and become clearer day after day but Ian was certainly a sort of "prophet" in his time.
RIP Ian.
ps: apologizes for my appoximative english. Just hope to be understand
I’d say I’d disagree with the idea that this song is about Ian’s epilepsy. I think it’s about a general feeling of loss of identity, meaning, and belonging in this fast, shiny modern world. Sorry if that sounds pretentious. I guess I’ll try to analyze this line-by-line to back up my opinion.
“I've been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand Could these sensations make me feel the pleasures of a normal man? New sensations barely interest me for another day I've got the spirit, lose the feeling, take the shock away”
Ian wants to feel happy in this world, but feels he can’t do it himself (Waiting for a guide). He tries to do “normal” things to try empathize with what he considers “normal”people (pleasures of a normal man), But this doesn’t work (barely interested). Instead he’s dismayed (spirit), but he doesn’t want to be (feeling, shock).
“It's getting faster, moving faster now, it's getting out of hand On the tenth floor, down the back stairs, it's a no man's land Lights are flashing, cars are crashing, getting frequent now I've got the spirit, lose the feeling, let it out somehow”
The first three lines comment on the increasing speed and dehumanization of modern life. The fourth, he tries to bargain with his dismay. He knows he can’t take it away, so he’s trying to find a constructive outlet (let it out somehow).
“What means to you, what means to me, and we will meet again I'm watching you, I'm watching her - I take no pity from your friends Who is right, who can tell, and who gives a damn right now? Until the spirit, new sensation takes hold - then you know -- [or on all the official live versions: I've got the spirit, lose the feeling, let it out somehow --]
I've got the spirit, but lose the feeling, feeling, feeling —“
This stanza I’m not so sure of. I think it’s about his increasing detachment, and observing it in others. Lastly, Ian mentions his own dismay at modern life, and his dismay at this being the only thing he feels.
Sorry if this sounds really stupid, but this is what it seems to be about to me at least. Have a nice day.
I agree, although the line that has always stuck out for me is the one about watching two different females. (Perhaps it's a reflection of Ian; his wife; and the woman he befriended and possibly bed.) It's why I've always hated this song.
I agree, although the line that has always stuck out for me is the one about watching two different females. (Perhaps it's a reflection of Ian; his wife; and the woman he befriended and possibly bed.) It's why I've always hated this song.
Best interpretation around in my opinion. This song remains my favorite precisely because it's very close to my personal feelings, considering myself nearly apathic even if I had a good job and loving girlfriend. I barely figure why but the kind of dehumanized and senseless world we are living in doesn't help. Humans today are all about great perspectives and top-high values from the past but when you look at the world you have better chance to cross selfish behaviors and intellectual mediocrity. Today it's obvious and become clearer day after day but Ian was certainly a sort of "prophet"...
Best interpretation around in my opinion. This song remains my favorite precisely because it's very close to my personal feelings, considering myself nearly apathic even if I had a good job and loving girlfriend. I barely figure why but the kind of dehumanized and senseless world we are living in doesn't help. Humans today are all about great perspectives and top-high values from the past but when you look at the world you have better chance to cross selfish behaviors and intellectual mediocrity. Today it's obvious and become clearer day after day but Ian was certainly a sort of "prophet" in his time.
RIP Ian. ps: apologizes for my appoximative english. Just hope to be understand
@punksbeathippies You lost it at the end, but good try.
@punksbeathippies You lost it at the end, but good try.