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Post by xxxxSTINKFISTxxxx on Mar 8, 2005 14:37:37 GMT -5
Hello everyone, Im curious to find out what parabola means to you. I love the song its on my top 3 list of all tool songs but i cant get a good idea of what the songs about , so im just wondering what some of your views are on it
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Post by Bastardometer on Mar 8, 2005 15:55:23 GMT -5
PARABOL Like so many of Tool’s other songs, pinning Parabol (and its partner Parabola) down to a singular, explicit meaning is to tie it to your own personal beliefs, feelings and experiences. There aren’t any of the clues that are in other songs – no numbers or striking references to go look up and dig into. This one, these two, are for the listener alone to work out, but I’ll try to get you started. The most common interpretations are that these songs deal with the sanctity and appreciation of life and form. Much of Tool’s music focuses on transcendence, but these two songs pay homage to what we already have in life.Another take on it, and really, this isn’t too dissimilar to the first when you think about it, is that the pair are an ode to lovers’ intimacy. Playing on that, or extending it, the pair of lovers could easily be the self and the body. Pushing that metaphor further, neither song (Parabol or Parabola) is complete without the other. PARABOLA Disregarding the Faaip De Oiad as a non-song, Parabol and Parabola straddle the mid-point of the album. On a parabolic chart of the album’s tracks they would be at the top of the arc. It’s likely that Parabola’s title is little more than a pun, but there may well be a lesson in this ‘familiar parable’. If Parabol is a meditation, Parabola is its celebratory partner - the dizzy thrill of enlightenment and joy of life.Maynard’s explanation of the ‘illusion’ is relatively straight-forward. When queried about the line in a magazine interview, he brought up the timeless question of what we really are. At a basic level, we’re nothing but simple chemicals and electricity bound together. Further extrapolated, we’re nothing but slowed down energy. The same stuff as everything. At that level, there is no such thing as pain. The concept is similar to the Buddhist one which deals with our selves as mere ripples in the cosmic pond. The themes of mortality and eternality are common to all religions, but the concept of ‘we’ being eternal and mortal are strikingly typical of the Eastern schools of thought. It is said that life is empty and meaningless, and that it is only through this very emptiness that infinite possibility is made available.
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Post by lilacJ on Mar 8, 2005 16:02:37 GMT -5
No getting a big head now Bastard, but you sure know your stuff! ;D This is an excellent rendition and a good start for all..... thank you!
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Post by Bastardometer on Mar 8, 2005 16:12:17 GMT -5
I can't take full credit , these are articles that I've found off the net over the years . Plus , it's not in my nature to have a big head - it's a waste of energy that could better be used in one's growth
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Post by lilacJ on Mar 8, 2005 16:21:32 GMT -5
I can't take full credit , these are articles that I've found off the net over the years . Plus , it's not in my nature to have a big head - it's a waste of energy that could better be used in one's growth I'm glad you feel that way, and no it's not in your nature..... ;D This is mainly what I was referring to, I've read most of the takes on the songs and I found your interpretation to be the most understandable, there have been a number of high level discussions, yet some of the fans are young and these were sometimes sent straight over their heads and it doesn't reach them .....
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Post by NeonTool on Mar 8, 2005 16:37:50 GMT -5
As was stated before, this song (i consider it just one song) is very subjective and its interpretation is different to each individual. I must say it's one of the most positive songs i've ever heard. Everytime i listen to it, it makes me feel something more than just a life-animated body. "I'm not alone in this body" probably means that one has a consciousness, a soul, that is eternal, which, like was stated before as well, is a belief of many religions. The enlightenment of the human mind and its ability to take the next step in evolution is also an idea firmly demonstrated in the video (the third eye, etc.). Anyway, many things can be said about this song (as most tool songs for that matter), and i don't think it has a specific meaning, it's rather our job to find out a meaning, like we do with life itself
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Post by Bastardometer on Mar 9, 2005 0:19:19 GMT -5
I'm glad you feel that way, and no it's not in your nature..... ;D This is mainly what I was referring to, I've read most of the takes on the songs and I found your interpretation to be the most understandable, there have been a number of high level discussions, yet some of the fans are young and these were sometimes sent straight over their heads and it doesn't reach them ..... Thanks for the kind words LilacJ - it doesn't go unappreciated
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Post by feelmytool on Mar 10, 2005 21:38:52 GMT -5
not to sound like a drug addict, but i'm almost positive it's about an acid trip, or any trip of that manner. it starts (parabol) then breaks in with illusions, sometimes holy or unified, sometimes seeing the seman and egg cells of our parents join (the intense start up in parabola,"we barely remember what came before this presice moment"). then the coming out is the fastest, (the ending of parabola). i've also came to the conclusion for reflection, with all the mention of the ego and killing it, and the light, getting callings, it just points to that.
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Post by xxxxSTINKFISTxxxx on Mar 17, 2005 3:06:18 GMT -5
wow these are really interesting views, thank you all for sharing them
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Post by voiceofgod on Mar 18, 2005 17:44:23 GMT -5
To me it reflects the realization that we are in one great big deja vu'. Knowing that we have been here before and yet we have no knowledge of past lifes. This body holding me reminding me that I am not alone speaks on the belief that we are all connected and are part of a gigantic source of energy that is never ending but always changing. And no matter what happens to our physical appearance we are always pure and absolute underneath because our energy can never be harmed. But instead of floating around, we are given temporary passports, or bodies, to be a part of and get to interact with one another on a totally different level. We will always have the mental connection, but to pyhsically hold someone or touch them or to be able to vividly express each emotion through "body" language is a great gift that we should enjoy.
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Post by I Like Pie on Mar 23, 2005 14:39:36 GMT -5
I always thought it was about sex, but I´m probably wrong
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Post by voiceofgod on Mar 23, 2005 17:48:04 GMT -5
I always thought it was about sex, but I´m probably wrong Well the basis for all Tool songs is anal sex so you're on the right track!
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Post by moneyisevil on Mar 23, 2005 18:58:30 GMT -5
what the hell is deja vu anyway...
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Post by Halo on Mar 23, 2005 22:54:33 GMT -5
dé·jà vu ( P ) Pronunciation Key (dzhä v) n.
1 Psychology.
a. The illusion of having already experienced something actually being experienced for the first time.
b. An impression of having seen or experienced something before.
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Post by xxxxSTINKFISTxxxx on Mar 23, 2005 22:55:55 GMT -5
Well the basis for all Tool songs is anal sex so you're on the right track! LMAO ;D
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