Tool
 

Ok guys, here is your "Official" Tool thread. Anything Tool related belongs here, don't create new threads. Also feel free to Discuss A Perfect Circle, Pigmy Love Circus, Zaum, or any other projects the guys from Tool work on. If you post something negative about Tool post up why you think and feel that way. If you post up "Tool Sucks" and don't give your reasoning your not gonna like the consequences.

Ok, lets have some good conversation and everyone enjoy. SFK.





TOOL Music Theory.

This is my attempt to make a decent thread where TOOL fans can come and discuss
What they think TOOL song(s) mean to them, or what message was the band trying to get across.
As the band put it, in an interview, TOOL likes to leave their message hard to grab, they
want you to use your brain. TOOL wants you to make your own meaning of the song, or grasp
what the song means to them.

Im looking for theory/opinion, lyrical/musical breakdown of a song, Please dont spam this thread by writing about how you feel about any certain band member, who best or better, any A Perfect Circle/Tool relations lets try to keep this theory, and theory only. (i.e. Maynard is so cool! Danny is the best! A Perfect Circle is better then TOOL etc etc etc.)

If you are going to post, please no your theory on Aenima, was lame if you are going to post that, please have enough thinking power, to post your own theory if you feel something was incorrect. Intelligence is the key factor for this thread!!! If you are missing a few bolts upstairs, save yourself from the humiliation, and save us the wasted time that we had to use to read your meaningless post. If you are doing a breakdown of a song, please quote lyrics, so everyone can be on the same page. An overview is acceptable also..

Here is an example of what I am looking for.

[b]
Album:Opiate
Track: Opiate
[/b]

I feel this track is being narrated through a pastor/preachers point of view. There is always controversy about if this song is to make you look down, or not believe in Christ. My opinion is the song is talking down about Christ in a sarcastic way
[B][I]
Jesus Christ, why don't you
come save my life.
Open my eyes and blind me
with your light
and your lies.
[/I] [/B]

On top of that Maynard is making fun of religion, by calling a religious person blind, deaf, dumb, & born to follow.

[B][I]
Choices always were a problem for you.
What you need is someone strong to guide you.
Deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow,
what you need is someone strong to use you...
like me,
like me.
[/I][/B]

Meaning Christians, or a religious person cannot guide themselves in their own direction in life, they cant make their own choices to be happy in life, they have to follow someone to have any sense or happiness in their life. Or the metaphor blind, deaf, dumb meaning a person who doesnt see through lies or gimmicks, yet sees millions of other doing it, so he/she follows.

[B][I]
My God's will
becomes me.
When he speaks out,
he speaks through me.
He has needs
like I do.
We both want
to rape you.
[/I][/B]

Back to how I was saying this song is through a pastors point of view, I feel the needs he speaks of, is money. And raping you would be you sitting there believing lies so he can take all your donation money.


[B]Welp there ya go.. there is a basic outline of "opiate" hope this works out the way I plan... happy posting..[/B].

:evil:

Wow, nice thread/post man! I kinda had an idea Tool were a really deep band, but I've never really been absolutely in love with them enough to get that much out of their songs. I've heared Maynard in a couple of interviews, and he sounds like a pretty philosophical guy. I think I'll hafta buy some of their albums and check out their lyrics, etc.

I hope this post hasn't been spam.

Hey. The Tool Theory is very interesting. I found out that the Lateralus album was inspired by another theory to do with planet X. If u havent heard about this go and find it out. Crazy ****. Also with the whole using your brain thing, there is a special code playlist in lateralus that if u play the tracks in a different order correctly it like opens your eyes to sum other message. Havent tried it yet but I am dying to although it does freak me out a bit. Dunno why just that feeln you get with listening to tool, you know? Maynards lyrics are the most thought provoking i've come across and i won't even try explaining his songs. Am not sure if they are fully meant to be explained but good luck trying. There is a site sumwhere about tool theorys i cant remember what it is but if u type planet x and tool you'll get there. Lets hope for a continuation of this good thread.

Sorry if this wasnt what you were lookin for.

[QUOTE=madeyadams]Ok. here is a HUGE helpful thing for you guys to check out. It's where everything you need to know about tool is.

[url]http://toolshed.down.net/faq/faq.html[/url]

read it. You will save yourself from alot of stupid questions.[/QUOTE]

Thats nice, yet you must not be catching on. I said you explain your opinion.. not give links to what others think..

wow, I thought this thread would of done good.... none of you are big enough tool fans to use your brains? what am I missing here...

[QUOTE=ToolOwnsYou]wow, I thought this thread would of done good.... none of you are big enough tool fans to use your brains? what am I missing here...[/QUOTE]

Dont worry, there are a few genuine fans around, although like you said, Tool threads always end up getting ruined by stupid comments in some ways.

On your review of opiate, I find the great thing about that song is the fact that so many people have taken a positive message towards Christianity from it. i remember in one interview Adam mentioned that a fan had come up to him praising him on how the song had converted him towards the religious life.
But as Tool always say, any reactions to their songs are good if they're positive

I know what the song "Stinkfist" is about, its about Anal Fisting -_0

I can't pronounce myself as i only started listening last month. I've really been trying to find out the meaning of Eulogy. This song seems their most contraversial as on the surface seems to be about jesus. However i believe it is about Martin Luther king. He is seen as a Martyr and apparently nailed something to a church. Which can tie into the lyrics. I make this opinion based on reading some of the threads ont hat toolshed site. If you want some real deep and complex ideas i suggest checking on there.

Eulogy
 

[b]
Track: Eulogy
Album: Aenima
[/b]

This is what the song means to me.. I could be right, I could be wrong.. Usually with TOOL there is no wrong answer. Anyways!

Here is the dictionary Definition of [b]Eulogy[/b]:
[b]
Eulogy - A laudatory speech or written tribute, especially one praising someone who has died.?
[/b]

This song can be used towards anyone with power, such as a dictator, president, GOD, etc..
For conversation sake, lets use god. Maynard takes a sarcastic approach in this track, going back and fourth
From being serious, back to sarcastic remarks, lets look at how the song starts

Eulogy Being the bible in this case.

[b][I]
He had alot to say.
He had alot of nothing to say.
We'll miss him.

So long.
We wish you well.
You told us how you weren't afraid to die.
Well then, so long.
Don't cry.
Or feel too down.
Not all martyrs see divinity.
But at least you tried.

Standing above the crowd,
He had a voice that was strong and loud.
We'll miss him.
Ranting and pointing his finger
At everything but his heart.
We'll miss him.
[/b][/I]

Maynard sets the theme, of someone powerful standing over a crowd.. I picture the time of Christ, people in robes, with god preaching to people hungry for the word of god. Yet all he is saying was just a waste of breath, a waste of time. Hence Not all martyrs see divinity, But at least you tried.â I picture this good ol cartoon act. the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, arguing between each other, just for better understanding. Hence he had a lot to say then he had a lot of nothing to say. The last verse make me picture god, because if you have ever read the bible it describes, that no one is perfect, but Christ. ranting and pointing his finger at everything but his heart.

[b][I]
Standing above the crowd,
He had a voice so strong and loud and I
Swallowed his facade cuz I'm so
Eager to identify with
Someone above the ground,
Someone who seemed to feel the same,
Someone prepared to lead the way, with
Someone who would die for me.

[/b][/I]
Back to the devil/angel theory.. This person is lost, so he looks for someone to lead the way for eternity. Some one that could relate to him. And someone above the ground (all the features of Christ) so this person believes in christ, for help. For guidance, yet he is stabbed in the back rather then being at peace.
Facade, stands for a face of a building as in God shows his face, all beautiful and perfect, but when you enter the building its thrashed and messy

[b][I]
Will you? Will you now?
Would you die for me?
Don't you f*ckin lie.

Don't you step out of line.
Don't you f*ckin lie.
[/b][/I]

The messy building reflects his lies.. Picture it as if the person has fallen for the beginning message, yet finds out everything he knew or was told were all lies.

[b][I]
Come down.
Get off your f*ckin cross.
We need the f*ckin space to nail the next fool martyr.

To ascend you must die.
You must be crucified
For your sins and your lies.
Goodbye...
[/b][/i]
I feel this is after he understands that you dont have to be a follower to have eternal happiness. And is somewhat just making fun of the whole situation.

Welp.. there it is hopefully it makes sense, it does to me. And like I has said before I could be totally wrong.

:evil:

Hey dude, some interesting points there. Didn't maynard say the song wasn't about god and jesus? I know this doesn't affect your interpretation but to get the 'true' meaning sureley we have to look somewhere else. I find this incredibly hard when in the lyrics it mentions crosses :angry:

Well int he first stanza you picked out the lines [I]'he had alot to say, he had alot of nothing to say'[/I] i find these lines could talk about Martin luther king (now to be called MLK) You see he tried to change or reform america into a non racist nation. He had many things to say, which may have become reptitive, hence maynards contradiction.

The next point i recieved from this guy called 'mstajduh' on the toolshed forums. in the line [I]'We need the f*ckin space to nail the next fool martyr [/I] the explanation the guy gave was "He was the one doing the nailing his 95 thesis on the corrupt catholic church in wittenburg" this makes sense, Maynard could be using a complex metaphor, but maybe im mistaken. These are the two main arguments i have. Has anyone got any othe rideas on 'eulogy'?

I worte something very similar to this about Sober once.....just let me go and find it....

[B]Sober, by Tool.[/B]

May I just note before I start that what I present is not the definitive lyric. Maynard oftens changes the words when he sings live, and some parts of the song have two or more possible transcriptions. Here, however, is what I hear and how I interpret it -


[I]There's a shadow just behind me
Shrouding every breath I take
Making every promise empty
Pointing every finger at me
Waiting like a stalking butler
Who upon the finger rests
Murder now the path called "must we"
Just before the sun has come

Jesus, won't you ****ing whistle
Something but the past and done?
Jesus, won't you ****ing whistle
Something but the past and done?

Why can't we not be sober?
I just want to start this over
Why can't we drink forever?
I just want to start things over

I am just a worthless liar
I am just an imbecile
I will only complicate you
Trust in me and fall as well
I will find a center in you
I will chew it up and leave
I will work to elevate you
Just enough to bring you down

Mother Mary won't you whisper
Something but what's past and done?
Mother Mary won't you whisper
Something but what's past and done?

Trust me

Why can't we not be sober?
I just want to start this over
Why can't we sleep forever?
I just want to start things over

Trust me

I am just a worthless liar
I am just an imbecile
I will only complicate you
Trust me
Trust me
Trust me
Trust me

Why can't we not be sober?
I just want to start this over
Why can't we sleep forever?
I just want to start things over

I want what I want [/I]

I see this song to be about religious persecution and the differences that can spring up between people when their faiths contradict each other. This is a topic Maynard would revisit later in Schism.

As far as I am aware, both Maynard and Danny Carey (the drummer)are, like myself, Satanists. I think this is a major point to recognize when interpreting the song; the concluding line, "I want what I want", is reflective of many of the core beliefs to Satanism - mainly individualism and the embracing of the traditional Christian sins, which stems from a disbelief in the afterlife. As in "We shall never repent for these sins, therefore we are free to indulge as long as nobody in this life is harmed."

The song begins with some very dark thoughts; these lead me to believe that the song may be referring in some way to the ages where Christianity was the only accepted religion and anyone who held ANY other belief was ridiculed, feared, hanged, et cetera. "There's a shadow just behind me/Shrouding every step I take/Making every promise empty/Pointing every finger at me" would therefore refer to the stigma attached to the subject's individualism. In the witch-burning times, it was common to blame the devil for anything and everything, and anyone who was not a Christian was immediately associated with that. However, I am unclear as to exactly what "Making every promise empty" refers to. Perhaps the man is tempted to betray his beliefs (his promises to himself) to seek acceptance?

"Waiting like a stalking butler" could be a sly dig at organized religion - a butler is a servant. "Who upon the finger rests" is interesting - taken as a statement, it implies an accusation levelled at the religious people; perhaps because they are part of the herd this is some way makes them the evil ones. However, I'm pretty sure it is intended as a question, which throws it out into the open. Just who is in the wrong?

The bridge (the "Jesus/Mary" bit) is bringing the song into the modern age, suggesting that nothing has changed since those times. While Jesus is whistling his merry tune of persecution from ages past, most have moved on and the song is old and no longer relevant to a society that - at least in theory - embraces all peoples.

The chorus at first seems to beg the question 'What are they drinking?', but I think it's much more important to ask why. The subject wants to drink to forget; to forget about the past and bring the religion into the 20th century (the song was released in '92). This is re-enforced when the lyric changed from "drink forever" to "sleep forever"; sleep it off and in the morning you'll remember nothing. Or maybe it means to lay the feelings to sleep forever and never mention them again. Even, if you want to be spectacularly sinister, "sleep forever" could equal "death".

The "I am...." section brings to mind the scenes in A Clockwork Orange where the main character is tied down, has his eyes clamped open, and is forced to watch the abuse he has dished out on others. From becoming a participator to becoming a spectator, the feelings change completely. One of the two parties in the song could therefore have switched sides, so to speak, and has now used the new perspective to see how wrong they were. Of course, it could just be sarcastic; this actually ties in with the lyric better. "I will only complicate you" is a sideswipe at the simplicity most people choose; to just believe what others tellyoudo and turn a blind eye to anything else that may complicate your blind faith. The "center in you", I feel I barely need to mention, is the soul. The last two lines again express a cynicism regarding the afterlife; religion raises people's hopes of going to Heaven/Nirvana/whatever, onlyfor them to be brought down when they discover there is no afterlife, or even brought down to hell when they find out they were born into the wrong religion.

Were it not at that time in the morning when you start reciting South Park jokes, I probably wouldn't have spotted that.

So that just about concludes it. As I said, Tool would re-visit this theme three albums down the line, in Schism. However, there is a very nice theory concerning Lateralus and Kabbalah....but I'll save that for another day.

I fully suggest everybody look for hidden meanings in Maynard's lyrics between the hours of 4 and 6 in the morning. It's a great experience.

*************************************************************

Bear in mind this was written more than a year ago, for my diary. Is that the sort of thing you're after?

I found out later the Satanist thing above is wrong, but they're fans of Aleister Crowley, so the theory stands. And I think the release date is wrong.

hmmm...

I think Eulogy is about people standing up over everyone, with a voice so high and a meaning so strong, that he affects the weaker crowd to follow him and his opinion..

Thats what I think after reading the lyrics, but hey, im only fifteen.

Nice song btw.
Anyone figured Schism?

Schisim was supposedly about the problems between the Catholic and protestant churches, and how 'rediscovering communication' would help the two re-unite and realise they have a common goal. The split is also seen to be something that only occured through peoples arrogance, and that there is no big difference between the two 'I know the pieces fit'.
And it has the greatest Tool lyric for me 'Cold silence has a tendancy to atrophy any sense of compassion' -Another reference to the lack of communication between the two and how it has stopped any common ground forming

[QUOTE=HeReTik]hmmm...

I think Eulogy is about people standing up over everyone, with a voice so high and a meaning so strong, that he affects the weaker crowd to follow him and his opinion..
[/QUOTE]

I was under the impression the first time i heard Eulogy that it was a tribute of sorts to Bill Hicks. Anyone else find this?

It's pretty obvious that Schism is about warring religions - but I didn't know it was about those two, specifically. That makes a lot of sense, thanks for sharing.

[QUOTE=Adam Jones is GOD]I was under the impression the first time i heard Eulogy that it was a tribute of sorts to Bill Hicks. Anyone else find this?[/QUOTE]

I think most of Aenima is a tribute of sorts to Bill Hicks, his humour, and his beliefs - hence his picture in the inlay and his sample on Third Eye. It's more pronounced on Eulogy than on most songs. However it's not necessarily [I]about[/I] him....more from his view.

I've see Schism as the breakdown of a relationship between two people... It's kind of a simple theory but it ties in with a theory about Lateralus as a whole ablum that I'm currently developing...

Lateralus talks of Spirals so i'm guessing all the songs are linked... and (whoa i just thought right this second) maybe the alternative tracklist can help me theory complete my theory...

[QUOTE=Samm]I've see Schism as the breakdown of a relationship between two people... It's kind of a simple theory but it ties in with a theory about Lateralus as a whole ablum that I'm currently developing...

Lateralus talks of Spirals so i'm guessing all the songs are linked... and (whoa i just thought right this second) maybe the alternative tracklist can help me theory complete my theory...[/QUOTE]

Someone gave a great insight into the alternative tracklist, although it can be hard to do, if you read
[url]http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/question/insight7.html[/url]

You know I have always noticed that Tool do not confine themselves to the boundries of religion...they are pretty free in expressing their thoughts..which I agree with most of the times. I wouldn't call them Satanic. I think they just disagree with what most people think. These guys get their thoughts across in an ambiguous manner...it's always open to more than one interpretation.

Tool make beautiful instrumental music. Their music along with Maynard's voice...pure heaven. I really like Adam Jones .. I don't know why many people think he is the weakest link. Can any one tell me why if they feel the same??


P.S : this is all my opinion.

[QUOTE=vixfinger11metallica20]
Tool make beautiful instrumental music. Their music along with Maynard's voice...pure heaven. I really like Adam Jones .. I don't know why many people think he is the weakest link. Can any one tell me why if they feel the same??
P.S : this is all my opinion.[/QUOTE]

people always criticise Adam as he uses a lot of effects and people say he doesn't have much skill as a guitarist (although anyone who hears his amazing tremelos/speed picking will know otherwise).

I (obviously) think he's great. Its not just guitaring, it's also his videos and artwork that helps make Tool great

this is kinda spam but id like to thank you guys for making me want to start listening to tool. it seems as though they are one of the few bands that puts real meaning in their songs and would never have realized it 'till i rea this thread

[QUOTE=Adam Jones is GOD]I (obviously) think he's great. Its not just guitaring, it's also his videos and artwork that helps make Tool great[/QUOTE]

Yes. It's for that exact reason that Adam Jones is an indispensible member of Tool - he is, in effect, their public image. When people think of Tool, do they see Maynard's face, or do they see the videos playing in their minds? My guess, for most, is the latter.

about tool i will say they like to speak there mind about religion, religion is a big topic in alot of there lyrics on what toolownsyou said and that alot of the words that you probely never heard of are religious based like schism which means to break apart from a church but if you did not know that you would think it is something diffrent meaning your intake on the song well for all tool songs there is always diffrent meanings and i think what tool relates to is there and what the person listening to it relates to

[QUOTE=bob dole]this is kinda spam but id like to thank you guys for making me want to start listening to tool. it seems as though they are one of the few bands that puts real meaning in their songs and would never have realized it 'till i rea this thread[/QUOTE]

Its not spam, its a nice compliment :thumb:

*adds another to conversion list*

[QUOTE=Adam Jones is GOD]Its not spam, its a nice compliment :thumb:

*adds another to conversion list*[/QUOTE]

This is a kind of n00bish thing to do, but just what is the conversion list?

[QUOTE=Iai]This is a kind of n00bish thing to do, but just what is the conversion list?[/QUOTE]

Nothing thats official, i just like it when another person is turned towards Tool. I count it as a personal goal to make people listen to them, hnce the (fictional) list

[QUOTE=Adam Jones is GOD]Nothing thats official, i just like it when another person is turned towards Tool. I count it as a personal goal to make people listen to them, hnce the (fictional) list[/QUOTE]

I'm sure I saw it on user profiles....

*goes to check*

Oh, I'm thinking of referrals. Never mind.

[QUOTE]The next point i recieved from this guy called 'mstajduh' on the toolshed forums. in the line 'We need the f*ckin space to nail the next fool martyr the explanation the guy gave was "He was the one doing the nailing his 95 thesis on the corrupt catholic church in wittenburg" this makes sense, Maynard could be using a complex metaphor, but maybe im mistaken. These are the two main arguments i have. Has anyone got any othe rideas on 'eulogy'?[/QUOTE]

Although I wouldn't say your interperetation is "bad", Martin Luther King Jr. wasnt the one who nailed the 95 theses to the front of the church door. The man was Martin Luther, who disagreed with the church, and gave 95 reasons for a reform, several hundred years ago. This created Lutheran following, and open the flood gates for other Roman Catholic "spin-off" sects.