Before I listened to the lyrics, I watched the video without sound. The setting, from the very beginning, was eerie and in slow motion. There were no vibrant colors and it was set in an earlier time period than present day. Also, the band was playing in a rundown apartment that looked as if there was no electricity. The message that I got from the visual part of the video was that people never mind their own business. Everyone tries to solve each others problems and in the end, they themselves breakdown. Just like the saying, "if its not broken, don't fix it," sometimes people need to deal with their problems on their own without the help of others. The man lying on the ground did not want their help and in the end, everyone was stuck in the same situation that he was in because they did not mind their own business.
The message that I got from the lyrics sort of matched. The message seemed to be that there are some people that are pressured by others to conform and don not just do their own thing. The point of view of the writer is from the inside looking out at the trouble people get into from peer pressure. Trying to be the "cool guy" can sometimes make you lose yourself.
Overall, it seemed to be about the advantages of being independent.
This is thoughtful analysis, Kaitie.
ReplyDeleteI can sort of see the peer pressure angle here - but what about the "you do it to yourself" line in the chorus? Might that point to the disadvantages (rather than advantages) of "being independent"?