Clean Today

[my dying groom]

The lyrics of this song are outstanding.
Oh how I hate and love these days and nights when I feel so invulnerable and vulnerable at the same time! So paradox and yet true. It seems like nothing could break me, it's all right, the night feels warm and comforting, but the slightest flashback or woeful remembrance hauls me back into fragility. These precious (though somewhat short) moments of escapism are wonderful - it's like a dream within a nightmare, a temporary peace... oops, that's Anathema

And I often convince myself that there are probably many other souls out there ("millions"?) that also suffer from this pretty common disease called life. This thought's soothing effect is rather limited, however.

I'd love to read some related thoughts or personal interpretations of the lyrics.

Thank you for your patience. Good night

 

[yourdeadgroom]

Y'know, I was listening to this song earlier today, thinking what a good topic the lyrics would be, and find you've beaten me to it.... Man, we really need to stop doing this, people will think we're related or somthing

Anyway, I was kinda wondering about it. I do get the impression of someone who is kinda vain and trendy, but is aware of their mask at times. Such like "will the darkness around me be so strong, that there is no way I can be seen"- are they worrying that others won't be able to see them? (after all, he put in all that effort to get clean ). As for seeing their falsness, "and when I pause for one breath, I see millions like me". I kinda take this to mean that he sees all the people with their false masks on, can see through them, and can also recognise that he has one.

Oooh, I just thought of this, too. The "will I be transparent when I'm clean", maybe he's worrying that others will see through him?

 

[Alexandre]

"...I have my best shirt on..."

Anyway, I was kinda wondering about it. I do get the impression of someone who is kinda vain and trendy, but is aware of their mask at times. Such like "will the darkness around me be so strong, that there is no way I can be seen"- are they worrying that others won't be able to see them? (after all, he put in all that effort to get clean ). As for seeing their falsness, "and when I pause for one breath, I see millions like me". I kinda take this to mean that he sees all the people with their false masks on, can see through them, and can also recognise that he has one.

Yes, that is more or less my interpretation of it. It´s a very cool song and somewhat differs from the traditional Katatonia style of music writing (as the whole last album, IMO). I like it a lot, even with the change. I think they´re making their music (and lyrics, of course) more "urban", if you know what I mean.

 

[lumen]

I LOVE this song. LOVE!!!

The line about not being seen in the darkness... I didn't see that as vanity. To me it seems more like being enveloped in darkness that is so strong is almost takes on a physical presence that comes between you and the rest of the world...

But yeah, I agree with escapist interpretations.

About the masks though - I see that part being more about so many other people indulging in the same escapism and forgetfulness, and being able to recognize that...

(I think elsewhere I've proven my ability to misinterpret lyrics though, so...)

 

[ether]

what I love in general in such lyrics is the fact that everyone can interpret them as he likes, there is not a fixed key of interpretation, every word has the power to evoke in everyone different feelings and sensations…Here is what it came to my mind reading these lyrics.

The songs begins with a description of the approaching night, the street lights are turning on(blue and white lights falling) and finally night comes, shelter of the soul, warm and comfortable, the only moment where you can be at ease, away from the worries of the day in a state of mind between dream and reality.
But that night signs also the moment of a rebirth, he has promised to put on his best shirt/mask, that means to give the other people the best impression of himself, to lower himself coming into terms with society. He has decided to wash away the memories of last years failure and clean himself to such an extent that he has become completely transparent and so pure, that he’s wondering whether people can see him in the street lights reflection. But in a way being transparent is also synonymous of fragility and vulnerability, who dares go around wearing a transparent mask and show his soul like an opened book? In that moment he wishes to be one thing with the night to be enveloped and protected by darkness that conceals everything.
In the night he can even become a hero, but suddenly this moment of escapism turns to be an illusion, he has the deepest insight, he fears that perhaps happiness is just possible whenever he’s not sober, his consciousness is clean not dimmed or confused and in this moment of soberness he feels that there are millions of people who live like him.

 

[_Transparent_]

Originally posted by yourdeadgroom


Oooh, I just thought of this, too. The "will I be transparent when I'm clean", maybe he's worrying that others will see through him?

yep, and where does everyone think i got my name from anyway the song is great, but the whole album is.

 

[my dying groom]

Man, we really need to stop doing this, people will think we're related or somthing

It's kinda scary, isn't it? To put your mind at rest: I don't play any instrument and I'm not a computer programmer - but I used to play Warhammer 40K (orcs) and Fantasy (lizardmen)


Nice to read other opinions, thank you. Somehow it's not easy to talk about stuff like that in "real life" without getting confused looks

 

[yourdeadgroom]

Originally posted by my dying groom
but I used to play Warhammer 40K (orcs) and Fantasy (lizardmen)

ROTFFLMFAO



(Oh, I play Eldar by the way )

 

[Kains D]

I agree with Sweet Nurse Ether. It seems he is trying to amend and show what he really feels, that behind the darkness he is like everyone.

 

[Demonspell]

All I know is that it's not a song about substance abuse (or at least that isn't it's only meaning), as several reviewers have guessed on the basis of the title.