So here's the part where I review some of my favourite song lyrics of all time and what they mean to me. These are my interpretations and music is a work of art , so no interpretation can be definite and ultimate. This is just my take.
So for this review we have Passive by A Perfect Circle. Here's the lyrics-
Dead as dead can be
The doctor tells me
But I just can't believe him
Ever the optimistic one
I'm sure of your ability to become
My perfect enemy
Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way
Leaning over you here
Cold and catatonic
I catch a brief reflection
What you could and might have been
It's your right and your ability
To become my perfect enemy
Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way
Maybe you're better off this way [Repeat: x3]
You're better off this
You're better off this
Maybe you're better off
Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way
Go ahead and play dead
I know that you can hear this
Go ahead and play dead
Why can't you turn and face me [Repeat: x4]
You disappoint me
Passive-aggressive bullshit [Repeat: x12]
So given that this was written by Maynard James Keenan and Trent Reznor , the lyrics do have an obvious strong and almost dark touch to them. To me, it seems like Maynard is addressing someone who is passive aggressive with him. You know what I mean by passive aggressive. The people who treat you like superman when everything is going right , and at the slightest sign of trouble , you are branded the worst person in the world. And Maynard does the most rational thing in this situation , he walks away. He is disappointed in this passive aggressive person , who keeps changing colours every now and then. And think about it , isn't everybody pretty much exactly like this? It is funny but it is the people you expect to stay until the end are the first to leave. The people you expect to stand by you are the first to skip ship. And yes , that always comes as a major disappointment. So what do you do with these people? You give them another chance and wait for their aggressive to turn passive because you're just too attached to them? Well Mr.Keenan and Mr Reznor disagree. They have the gumption to walk away and as for the passive aggressive person in question ' Maybe you're better off this way....'
I guess everyone has to make their position clear , and if anything hangs around like a passive aggressive loose string , you have the right to walk away. You do not deserve to be disappointed again and again. You deserve better than passive aggressive bullshit.
Watch out for MJK's brilliant vocals. This live version real brings the emotion of the song home.
So for this review we have Passive by A Perfect Circle. Here's the lyrics-
Dead as dead can be
The doctor tells me
But I just can't believe him
Ever the optimistic one
I'm sure of your ability to become
My perfect enemy
Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way
Leaning over you here
Cold and catatonic
I catch a brief reflection
What you could and might have been
It's your right and your ability
To become my perfect enemy
Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way
Maybe you're better off this way [Repeat: x3]
You're better off this
You're better off this
Maybe you're better off
Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way
Go ahead and play dead
I know that you can hear this
Go ahead and play dead
Why can't you turn and face me [Repeat: x4]
You disappoint me
Passive-aggressive bullshit [Repeat: x12]
So given that this was written by Maynard James Keenan and Trent Reznor , the lyrics do have an obvious strong and almost dark touch to them. To me, it seems like Maynard is addressing someone who is passive aggressive with him. You know what I mean by passive aggressive. The people who treat you like superman when everything is going right , and at the slightest sign of trouble , you are branded the worst person in the world. And Maynard does the most rational thing in this situation , he walks away. He is disappointed in this passive aggressive person , who keeps changing colours every now and then. And think about it , isn't everybody pretty much exactly like this? It is funny but it is the people you expect to stay until the end are the first to leave. The people you expect to stand by you are the first to skip ship. And yes , that always comes as a major disappointment. So what do you do with these people? You give them another chance and wait for their aggressive to turn passive because you're just too attached to them? Well Mr.Keenan and Mr Reznor disagree. They have the gumption to walk away and as for the passive aggressive person in question ' Maybe you're better off this way....'
I guess everyone has to make their position clear , and if anything hangs around like a passive aggressive loose string , you have the right to walk away. You do not deserve to be disappointed again and again. You deserve better than passive aggressive bullshit.
Watch out for MJK's brilliant vocals. This live version real brings the emotion of the song home.
Spot On! That was my interpretation as well. Well written, as usual :D
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