I usually focus more on music than on lyrics, and I rarely concern myself with what the lyrics mean. But something kept coming back to me on "Criminals," and I was wondering what the rest of you thought.
I think it's about the movie "Road to Perdition." I wish I had a screenplay so I could do a direct comparison, but I'll have to make due. I've only seen the movie once, so pardon me if I forget something important. There are minor spoilers herein. Here's my line-by-line from the lyrics:
"Criminals" - The movie concerns the lives of criminals.
"The way the light hits the road" - Michael Sullivan and his son spend a great deal of time on the road in the movie, and the cinematography focuses is on this as it relates to the title of the movie and its theme.
"The way I am unable to protect you" - Michael Sullivan is concerned for the life of his son, but more importantly, he is concerned that his son will follow in his footsteps, something from which his son cannot be protected.
"I'm running away" - Michael Sullivan is attempting to escape from both the immediate danger and the sins of his past.
"I will never forgive myself / for running away from you" - He was forced to leave his wife after her death, without a second's pause for mourning. Or, perhaps it concerns Mr. Sullivan's using work to "run away" from his son prior to the incident--he is clearly distant from his children up until that point--which prevented him from instilling in his son the values which would prevent him from following in his father's footsteps.
"He came back to your house" - Not sure. Perhaps concerning Connor coming to the Sullivan house to slay them?
"I didn't take it as a promise / Always thought it was a lie" - ?
"He went too far, the fucker" - Connor went too far, stealing from Mr. Rooney, killing Sullivan's family, and so on.
"It's not like I owe him money / This is different" - The feud is not over money, as most mob feuds are. It's not business; it's personal.
"So gather your strength and break free / Or you will surely die" - Mr. Sullivan to his son: break free from me and my influence, or you will find yourself living my life, which will inevitably kill you.
"Gather your strength don't follow me / 'Cause I will surely die" - A reiteration of the last line. Also, perhaps something like, "I'm fucked, and there's nothing that can be done about now. Don't get yourself in the same situation."
I think I've made my point. What do you think?
I think it's about the movie "Road to Perdition." I wish I had a screenplay so I could do a direct comparison, but I'll have to make due. I've only seen the movie once, so pardon me if I forget something important. There are minor spoilers herein. Here's my line-by-line from the lyrics:
"Criminals" - The movie concerns the lives of criminals.
"The way the light hits the road" - Michael Sullivan and his son spend a great deal of time on the road in the movie, and the cinematography focuses is on this as it relates to the title of the movie and its theme.
"The way I am unable to protect you" - Michael Sullivan is concerned for the life of his son, but more importantly, he is concerned that his son will follow in his footsteps, something from which his son cannot be protected.
"I'm running away" - Michael Sullivan is attempting to escape from both the immediate danger and the sins of his past.
"I will never forgive myself / for running away from you" - He was forced to leave his wife after her death, without a second's pause for mourning. Or, perhaps it concerns Mr. Sullivan's using work to "run away" from his son prior to the incident--he is clearly distant from his children up until that point--which prevented him from instilling in his son the values which would prevent him from following in his father's footsteps.
"He came back to your house" - Not sure. Perhaps concerning Connor coming to the Sullivan house to slay them?
"I didn't take it as a promise / Always thought it was a lie" - ?
"He went too far, the fucker" - Connor went too far, stealing from Mr. Rooney, killing Sullivan's family, and so on.
"It's not like I owe him money / This is different" - The feud is not over money, as most mob feuds are. It's not business; it's personal.
"So gather your strength and break free / Or you will surely die" - Mr. Sullivan to his son: break free from me and my influence, or you will find yourself living my life, which will inevitably kill you.
"Gather your strength don't follow me / 'Cause I will surely die" - A reiteration of the last line. Also, perhaps something like, "I'm fucked, and there's nothing that can be done about now. Don't get yourself in the same situation."
I think I've made my point. What do you think?
