Iron Maiden lyrics tournament final: Empire of the Clouds rises above all
- Thread starter mckindog
- Start date
JudasMyGuide
Ancient Mariner
I'll post my own stuff before Mosh answers... BUT...
The thing that makes me appreciate this song as much as I do is the fact that willingly or unwillingly, 'Arry is criticising the religion... from the viewpoint of a religious man. You see, believe it or not, Christianity (and a whole lotta other religions as well) are built upon love, peace and understanding. As one of my favourite preachers says, "You should behave like Christ, meaning everyone should feel good in your presence. Everybody should be cool with you and you should be cool with them." That's one of the core beliefs.
Of course, there are reasons to lead a war, but these are often overstated and downgraded into a petty infighting. You say you are fighting "in God's name", "for the greater good of God", yet you are only making yourself feel better and you are taking Lord's name in vain - not by saying "Oh, Jaysus, I did this and this", but by taking His name and coating your own agenda with it.
Are you a man of peace
Or a man of holy war
Holy war probably has its place, but the way it has been used in the past years, it's definitely blasphemic, in anyway.
Too many sides to you
Don't know which anymore
Since these people use their own reasoning and their own, human logic and then they pin "God's will" tag to it.
So many full of life
But also filled with pain
Don't know just how many
Will live to breathe again
This shows the hypocrisy - whether your religion of choice is Christianity, or Islam, or Judaism or even Atheism (more in line with Humanism, you get what I mean) - your goal should be understanding, feeling for your brother, the other human and supporting the weak, trying to live out your true potential. Mass murdering the others is always a weird way to achieve this.
A life that's made to breathe destruction or defense
A mind that's vain corruption bad or good intent
A wolf in sheep's clothing
Or saintly or sinner
Or some that would believe
A holy war winner
This again plays with the appearances these "holy warriors" try to maintain... only to be vile and corrupt and not mindful of God's plans. (You can also transpose this into everyday life - you have these "fighters for the higher good", even if it might not be a war itself)
Please tell me now what life is
Please tell me now what love is
Well tell me now what war is
Again tell me what life is
This juxtaposition Mosh has talked about is explicitly mentioning that faith (and religion, believe it or not) should be about life and about love, about creation, not about destruction. Evil is only a corrupted good - you can always argue the good out of the bad (is there really a person who would actually like to be lied to, deceived, betrayed? That is, would anyone want pure evil? And if not, are the evils of this world not merely good went astray? - I kill a person in order to have his money -> buying something -> pleasure, not because it's bad - )
More pain and misery in the history of mankind
Sometimes it seems more like the blind leading the blind
It brings upon us more of famine, death and war
You know religion has a lot to answer for
This seems like criticising religion, but to me, it's mostly about criticising wrong religion, or - more precisely - the "I" religion.
And all because of it you'd think that we would learn
But still the body count the city fires burn
Somewhere there's someone dying in a foreign land
Meanwhile the world is crying, stupidity of man
Tell me why, tell me why
'Arry is asking about the futility of war, of conflict, in order to bring peace, love, the "good" result. And failing. It's true, there is no answer.
He gave his life for us, he fell upon the cross
To die for all of those who never mourn his loss
It wasn't meant for us to feel the pain again
Tell me why, tell me why
This is specifically from a Christian's point of view (I see no other interpretation, honestly) and it sums up the meaning of this song in four simple lines. Nuff said.
Again, I tried to write this down now and quickly, sorry for any inconsistencies or anything.
The thing that makes me appreciate this song as much as I do is the fact that willingly or unwillingly, 'Arry is criticising the religion... from the viewpoint of a religious man. You see, believe it or not, Christianity (and a whole lotta other religions as well) are built upon love, peace and understanding. As one of my favourite preachers says, "You should behave like Christ, meaning everyone should feel good in your presence. Everybody should be cool with you and you should be cool with them." That's one of the core beliefs.
Of course, there are reasons to lead a war, but these are often overstated and downgraded into a petty infighting. You say you are fighting "in God's name", "for the greater good of God", yet you are only making yourself feel better and you are taking Lord's name in vain - not by saying "Oh, Jaysus, I did this and this", but by taking His name and coating your own agenda with it.
Are you a man of peace
Or a man of holy war
Holy war probably has its place, but the way it has been used in the past years, it's definitely blasphemic, in anyway.
Too many sides to you
Don't know which anymore
Since these people use their own reasoning and their own, human logic and then they pin "God's will" tag to it.
So many full of life
But also filled with pain
Don't know just how many
Will live to breathe again
This shows the hypocrisy - whether your religion of choice is Christianity, or Islam, or Judaism or even Atheism (more in line with Humanism, you get what I mean) - your goal should be understanding, feeling for your brother, the other human and supporting the weak, trying to live out your true potential. Mass murdering the others is always a weird way to achieve this.
A life that's made to breathe destruction or defense
A mind that's vain corruption bad or good intent
A wolf in sheep's clothing
Or saintly or sinner
Or some that would believe
A holy war winner
This again plays with the appearances these "holy warriors" try to maintain... only to be vile and corrupt and not mindful of God's plans. (You can also transpose this into everyday life - you have these "fighters for the higher good", even if it might not be a war itself)
Please tell me now what life is
Please tell me now what love is
Well tell me now what war is
Again tell me what life is
This juxtaposition Mosh has talked about is explicitly mentioning that faith (and religion, believe it or not) should be about life and about love, about creation, not about destruction. Evil is only a corrupted good - you can always argue the good out of the bad (is there really a person who would actually like to be lied to, deceived, betrayed? That is, would anyone want pure evil? And if not, are the evils of this world not merely good went astray? - I kill a person in order to have his money -> buying something -> pleasure, not because it's bad - )
More pain and misery in the history of mankind
Sometimes it seems more like the blind leading the blind
It brings upon us more of famine, death and war
You know religion has a lot to answer for
This seems like criticising religion, but to me, it's mostly about criticising wrong religion, or - more precisely - the "I" religion.
And all because of it you'd think that we would learn
But still the body count the city fires burn
Somewhere there's someone dying in a foreign land
Meanwhile the world is crying, stupidity of man
Tell me why, tell me why
'Arry is asking about the futility of war, of conflict, in order to bring peace, love, the "good" result. And failing. It's true, there is no answer.
He gave his life for us, he fell upon the cross
To die for all of those who never mourn his loss
It wasn't meant for us to feel the pain again
Tell me why, tell me why
This is specifically from a Christian's point of view (I see no other interpretation, honestly) and it sums up the meaning of this song in four simple lines. Nuff said.
Again, I tried to write this down now and quickly, sorry for any inconsistencies or anything.
Please tell me now what life is
Please tell me now what love is
Well tell me now what war is
Again tell me what life is
It's simple but poignant. Sums up the entire song in a concise way. It's the contradiction of claiming to be spiritual or religious and yet promoting the killing of others in war. How can someone claim to value life while promoting something that carelessly takes life away? 'Arry is slapping you in the face with the contradiction and makes you think.
Please tell me now what love is
Well tell me now what war is
Again tell me what life is
It's simple but poignant. Sums up the entire song in a concise way. It's the contradiction of claiming to be spiritual or religious and yet promoting the killing of others in war. How can someone claim to value life while promoting something that carelessly takes life away? 'Arry is slapping you in the face with the contradiction and makes you think.
Don't see these as naive questions to God at all; Rather they are very pointed questions to those using the name of God to validate their actions.
Emphasis. Lots of this in Maiden lyrics. In this case it's a plea, it goes from begging to almost demanding.
It never really struck me before, but Face in the Sand is almost like an incantation, compete with partial repetition and a steady rhythm.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Thanks for the feedback.
FTGGOG: I'm still not that impressed because the criticism is still as generic as it can get. I've heard it all before.
EDIT: I also wonder who is to blame? Should we blame a whole religion for recent actions by people, by politicians? Which holy Christian wars have been fought in the last 50 years?
What's the point of a plea to God when mankind is making mistakes?
FTGGOG: I'm still not that impressed because the criticism is still as generic as it can get. I've heard it all before.
EDIT: I also wonder who is to blame? Should we blame a whole religion for recent actions by people, by politicians? Which holy Christian wars have been fought in the last 50 years?
What's the point of a plea to God when mankind is making mistakes?
Ah okay! I guess I rather prefer the more direct approach. Confront his followers, when they do something wrong!
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Is that the point of the song? Asking for an answer or justification that isn't given because there might not be a deity to give it. I don't know if it was done intentionally, but it always strikes me too that the way it's sung, the 'of God' part of the title sounds like an afterthought. Like cynically adding a religious or ideological element as justification for a deed that harms others.
soundwave
Educated Fool
The cheesy/goofball quality of this song used to really bother me back in the day, but now I've just learned to embrace it. I reach for those high notes with pride when I sing along with Bruce (much to my family's displeasure).
Remember, I'm aiming to cut about half of them.
Really?
Lifting a quote from von Richtofen in a song about him is bad writing?
And song bias inevitably creeps into this game.
Objectively, why does the Assassin have more votes than Phantom?
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
Innocent Exile - another amateur lyric about murdering a woman and running from the law. Jesus this topic is played out.
22 Acacia Avenue - better than the other Charlotte ones, but none of these are among Maiden's best.
The Duellists - it's a sword fighting song that describes a sword fight. Not terrible, but very average at best.
Public Enema Number One - the lack of a lyrical structure here really bugs. 2 lines that rhyme, 1 that doesn't, 1 that rhymes within the same line...it's just all over the place. And that third verse sounds like old men yelling at kids again.
The Assassin - similar to Duellists, it's a song about an assassin that describes an assassin. Not much happening here and the chorus is just lame.
Chains of Misery - "He likes to pry into your sunlight...in your world of shadows and rain?" Hmm. Honestly, I just don't like this one very much. Works alright with the song, but on paper it's just weak.
Blood on the World's Hands - big concept, litttttle lyrics.
22 Acacia Avenue - better than the other Charlotte ones, but none of these are among Maiden's best.
The Duellists - it's a sword fighting song that describes a sword fight. Not terrible, but very average at best.
Public Enema Number One - the lack of a lyrical structure here really bugs. 2 lines that rhyme, 1 that doesn't, 1 that rhymes within the same line...it's just all over the place. And that third verse sounds like old men yelling at kids again.
The Assassin - similar to Duellists, it's a song about an assassin that describes an assassin. Not much happening here and the chorus is just lame.
Chains of Misery - "He likes to pry into your sunlight...in your world of shadows and rain?" Hmm. Honestly, I just don't like this one very much. Works alright with the song, but on paper it's just weak.
Blood on the World's Hands - big concept, litttttle lyrics.
Innocent Exile A throwaway lyric. Evidently, the song needed some words, and they were written in the lazy fashion of just repeating the first verse. Fine, it sort of ties in with the Murders in the Rue Morgue/Sanctuary theme, but it's not even entirely decided on that. Who is this "you" who didn't help the narrator and brought him into this trouble? Why is the verse sung twice and then there's what sounds like a tired reflection? It feels like a lazy lyric for the sake of having a lyric.
The Assassin So it's the thrill of the kill again. Apart from the fact that it's a very clichéd and cheesy topic, the lyrics don't get adequately reflected by the music. They are obviously trying to mount up some tension, and if you only read the verses (only the verses!), you can indeed almost feel it. But what works against them is the upbeat way the song is written, being too fast for it's own good and not having the same musical build-up as the lyrics. The words need a more brooding atmosphere (without the tacky guitars and Bruce's poor performance, but that's a different story) to work, as in Killers. What absolutely cancels any effect and kills the lyrics however, is the chorus. The attempt to build up tension and atmosphere, albeit with a rather blunt choice of words, simply does not work with a stupid chorus that just says "better watch out - 'cause I'm the assassin!"
Fear is the Key These are among the absolute worst lyrics on any Maiden song. It's just complete rambling that you would expect from a drunk guy talking to himself, with shreds of statements cluelessly spoken one after another. The song is undecided what it wants to address and just keeps going from one point to another before collapsing into saying "it's just lies and lies and lies and lies". There is nothing else that ties the verses, if we can even identify such, together. Does it fit the song? Perhaps, but that's mostly because the song itself is a mess of similar proportions.
Chains of Misery Another set of throwaway lyrics that were written for the sake of having lyrics and no clear meaning in vain hope that someone would read a meaning into them. I don't even know what else to say about them.
And some I didn't vote for but require answering from my part:
Phantom of the Opera This is a prime example of using limited available space to tell a compelling and menacing story. They are perfect for the way the song is written, fast-paced but still haunting. I can virtually feel how the phantom is lurking in the shadows, and I love the way the narrator refuses to be scared but essentially confronts his fears by saying defiantly how he knows what is going to happen and daring the monster to get it over with. The line, "Yeah I know that you're gonna scratch me and maim me and maul!" is spot-on delivery and does a brilliant job in mixing fear, anger, defiance and resignation both in the way the words are written by themselves and written into the song. It's an amazing way of writing horror-related lyrics, light years away from the tired way The Assassin tries too hard to build atmosphere against the unrewarding music.
Death or Glory Apparently, all it takes is the word "monkey" for people to decide on lyrics. Really?
The Assassin So it's the thrill of the kill again. Apart from the fact that it's a very clichéd and cheesy topic, the lyrics don't get adequately reflected by the music. They are obviously trying to mount up some tension, and if you only read the verses (only the verses!), you can indeed almost feel it. But what works against them is the upbeat way the song is written, being too fast for it's own good and not having the same musical build-up as the lyrics. The words need a more brooding atmosphere (without the tacky guitars and Bruce's poor performance, but that's a different story) to work, as in Killers. What absolutely cancels any effect and kills the lyrics however, is the chorus. The attempt to build up tension and atmosphere, albeit with a rather blunt choice of words, simply does not work with a stupid chorus that just says "better watch out - 'cause I'm the assassin!"
Fear is the Key These are among the absolute worst lyrics on any Maiden song. It's just complete rambling that you would expect from a drunk guy talking to himself, with shreds of statements cluelessly spoken one after another. The song is undecided what it wants to address and just keeps going from one point to another before collapsing into saying "it's just lies and lies and lies and lies". There is nothing else that ties the verses, if we can even identify such, together. Does it fit the song? Perhaps, but that's mostly because the song itself is a mess of similar proportions.
Chains of Misery Another set of throwaway lyrics that were written for the sake of having lyrics and no clear meaning in vain hope that someone would read a meaning into them. I don't even know what else to say about them.
And some I didn't vote for but require answering from my part:
Phantom of the Opera This is a prime example of using limited available space to tell a compelling and menacing story. They are perfect for the way the song is written, fast-paced but still haunting. I can virtually feel how the phantom is lurking in the shadows, and I love the way the narrator refuses to be scared but essentially confronts his fears by saying defiantly how he knows what is going to happen and daring the monster to get it over with. The line, "Yeah I know that you're gonna scratch me and maim me and maul!" is spot-on delivery and does a brilliant job in mixing fear, anger, defiance and resignation both in the way the words are written by themselves and written into the song. It's an amazing way of writing horror-related lyrics, light years away from the tired way The Assassin tries too hard to build atmosphere against the unrewarding music.
Death or Glory Apparently, all it takes is the word "monkey" for people to decide on lyrics. Really?
