i think the kind of "myth" Sheff is referring to here is Myth in it's much bigger more meaningful sense. not as a simple fairy tale, although these too can hold meaning to different people, but Myths as deeper truths. what Joseph Campbell described as humanities "shared dreams" revealing deeper spiritual knowledge about ourselves as both individuals and communities. people tend to think of myths as untruths or fictions which they are in some ways but you could also look at them as more like songs, in that their meanings are meant to be felt emotionally not analyzed intellectually. myths impart different kinds of "truths", ones that can't always be expressed clearly but come in more poetic dream-like stories in order to better connect with us on a deeper level.
what this song is saying, to me, is that society (western, American society in particular) has lost it's deeper values and meanings. not ones necessarily associated with any certain mainstream religion or history but simply those that it needs in order for it's people to feel whole. it's modern innovations and technological progress has overtaken us and we've lost sight of what was truly important.
i don't believe he's really condemning technology or the modern world entirely but at least in that it's hard to find a voice or an identity in the world in it's current state and that there's more to life and what we need isn't being fulfilled by the shallow less-meaningful ideas and truths that we as a people have invested ourselves in. he makes a point in the end of mentioning how we are taught that "spiritual" or religious ideas are simply falsehoods but questions this because he can't ignore the way he longs for them.
Sheff makes several mentions to the world being a state of turmoil and disarray and i think when he says that we need a myth, what he's saying is that we need to come together and really reevaluate who we are as a culture and as a people. myths aren't just tales of gods and heroes fighting monsters but stories by us, for us and that tell us what we stand for, believe in and care about.
in other words, to me, the song is about the need for finding a reason and purpose in life.
i think the kind of "myth" Sheff is referring to here is Myth in it's much bigger more meaningful sense. not as a simple fairy tale, although these too can hold meaning to different people, but Myths as deeper truths. what Joseph Campbell described as humanities "shared dreams" revealing deeper spiritual knowledge about ourselves as both individuals and communities. people tend to think of myths as untruths or fictions which they are in some ways but you could also look at them as more like songs, in that their meanings are meant to be felt emotionally not analyzed intellectually. myths impart different kinds of "truths", ones that can't always be expressed clearly but come in more poetic dream-like stories in order to better connect with us on a deeper level.
what this song is saying, to me, is that society (western, American society in particular) has lost it's deeper values and meanings. not ones necessarily associated with any certain mainstream religion or history but simply those that it needs in order for it's people to feel whole. it's modern innovations and technological progress has overtaken us and we've lost sight of what was truly important. i don't believe he's really condemning technology or the modern world entirely but at least in that it's hard to find a voice or an identity in the world in it's current state and that there's more to life and what we need isn't being fulfilled by the shallow less-meaningful ideas and truths that we as a people have invested ourselves in. he makes a point in the end of mentioning how we are taught that "spiritual" or religious ideas are simply falsehoods but questions this because he can't ignore the way he longs for them.
Sheff makes several mentions to the world being a state of turmoil and disarray and i think when he says that we need a myth, what he's saying is that we need to come together and really reevaluate who we are as a culture and as a people. myths aren't just tales of gods and heroes fighting monsters but stories by us, for us and that tell us what we stand for, believe in and care about.
in other words, to me, the song is about the need for finding a reason and purpose in life.
And a history told and passed down so that future generations can truly relate; a meaningful account of life and lifes' many lessons...
And a history told and passed down so that future generations can truly relate; a meaningful account of life and lifes' many lessons...
This is so beautiful and touching, thank you!
This is so beautiful and touching, thank you!