Talk:Sober (Tool song)
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The only interpretation of the song that hasn't been explained for Tool's "Sober" here is the description of possible thought at The Last Supper. In reference to both the event and the ideals of the famous Da Vinci painting, "Sober" can be seen as a way of Jesus Christ asking "why can't we not be sober", saying that he wishes for times to stay merry and drunken with happiness, rather than having to accuse someone of his "murder". There has always been a very religious take on some songs by Tool, such as "Eulogy", "Opiate", and "Schism". This one, however, holds far less boundaries given the references to Jesus and Mother Mary needing to "whisper something but the past and done". The song's lyrics are also written in a way that could simulate the old texts of the original gospels. The protagonist wishes for to forget the past and move on to the future, where he knows his death is waiting for him. There is also the use of the lyrics to point out specific events at The Last Supper:
"Waiting like a stalking butler, whom upon the finger rests. Murder now, the path says, 'Must we'?" - pointing out that one will send Jesus to his death by betrayal, and imaginatively pointing out Judas Iscariot as the one to do so
"Why can't we not be sober? I just want to start this over. Why can't we drink forever?" - the protagonist hoping the night would never end and that things could be merry forever, showing the human side of Jesus Christ
"I am just a worthless liar. I am just an imbecile. I will only complicate you. Trust in me and fall as well" - Jesus Christ proclaiming to those in attendance that some of the things he has said are simply moral stories and not complete truth. They only hold a lesson and no factual statements, and that to trust in him in these dark times would mean certain death for anyone else.
I appreciate the opening salvo in the previous author's perspective. Rather than an illustration of Jesus' struggles, the tone of the lyrics comes across as vaguely anti-Christian. Phrases lending weight to this assertion are:
- Making every promise empty
Presumably referring to the many promises of salvation, the shrouding shadow that stalks the protagonist seems to take away the depth and meaning of those promises.
- Jesus, won't you fucking whistle something but the past and done?
An exhasperated direct address to Jesus pleading for more relevence in today's struggles than the theologically academic dogma of 2000 years ago.
- Trust in me and fall as well
A reference to trusting in Jesus for salvation and fullness in life, but delivering a death sentence under the burden of one's own cross as exemplified by Jesus himself.
- I will work to elevate you Just enough to bring you down
An arguably similar reference to the concept of the temporal spiritual "high" upon being born again, followed by the arduous task of actually living a Christian life.
Further clues are yielded by the video where the protagonist discovers and is exposed to the unknown contents of a box where upon bad things seem to happen to him. Later the box is found to contain nothing at all. This can be seen to be the symbolic awakening into Christianity followed by exposure to trials and tribulations. The empty box can be seen as a final understanding and acceptance to the lack of substance within the framework of Christianity.
Quattrone 21:44, 7 December 2006 (UTC)
