Green Disease interpretation

I was thinking about the lyrics to "Green Disease" and I suddenly picked up some references to the military and what is going on in our country as well as the middle east. lemme know what you think.

"It's a disease, and they're all green. It eminates from their being."
military uniforms are green, like parasites or a "disease" there are large numbers of soldiers. They are easily recongizable amongst the native people where they are stationed.

"A satiation with occupation.."
they find satisfaction in in being the higher class in a war torn zone (let's use the situation in Iraq as an example)

"And like weeds, with big leaves, stealing light from what's beneath. Where they have more, still they take more."
the military forces over seas are supposed to be helping, but to many are actually causing more trouble and keeping the people of that country from living the way they want to..?

"Course I know, then I don't. There's a stowaway with my throat. It's deceiving, I don't believe him."
People in the U.S. are told different things by the military and the president and we don't know what to believe.

"We can scream out our doors. Behind a wall a fat man snores. In his dreams he's chokin tea leaves."
We can speak against the war/president all we want but the Bush administration is still going to do what they want although they seem to be a bit confused about what to do (reference to the Ti leaves)and what this war will eventually lead to (for the U.S. as well as the middle east).

"Well I guess there's nothin wrong with what you say. 'But, don't sell me, there can be better ways. Tell the captain this boat's not safe and we're drownin.. turns out he's the one makin waves."
All of these troubling things are happening because Bush is making decisions without considering the people of this country, as well as the wellbeing of people around the world and how his decisions affect everyone.

"I said there's nothing wrong with what you say. Believe me, just askin you to sway. No white or black, just grey. Can you feel this world with your heart and not your brain?"
I think this is a significant part of the message of this song.. saying it's alright to have your own opinion about what is going on in the world, but think about the people around you and their wellbeing.

eh?
There's a fear they'll soon be parting ways.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • tylerpjtxtylerpjtx Posts: 201
    ya that can fit. i see it more as just any person or group of people who are power hungry and dont give a shit about others.
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  • Nice interpretation. You really listen.

    What about G-R-E-E-D? When he chants G,R...E,E,D G,R...E,E,D?

    I think it's not so specific as the Iraq war but more just greedy, power-hungry yuppies.

    Keep thinkin'

    Peace Out
    If there was a chair in which I could comprehend, I would stand always and embrace the path
  • flogenflogen Posts: 4
    you seem to have a good grasp on it :D

    Afew bits of it that I have different views on:

    I would say the 'stowaway with my throat' bit refers to Bush and co. speaking for the American people with his actions, PJ are saying someone has stolen his voice and is suddenly speaking on his behalf against his will. also the boat/captain thing is saying that when theres something wrong with the country, your supposed to turn to your heads of state, but in reality its the heads of state causing the problems.

    another thing, and not to nit pick, but its 'dont sell me "there cant be better ways"' rather than "there can be...", I think with this he's saying that the way Bush is handling things is one possible solution, but that its by no means the best way.

    Flogen
    adammaguire.com
  • Traver DiDiminico: Are you talking about at the beginning of the song when he is chanting? I always thought it sounded like "Jihad". If I'm spelling that correctly.. you know Jihad means "Holy war" in Arabic.. that's kinda what lead me to think that it was about the "war" that's going on now and that has been going on for a long time over there..
    but, thanks to all that replied. :D
    There's a fear they'll soon be parting ways.
  • I think it's about how people today are obsessed with just making money, and hoarding it. the military thing's shedding new light on some of the lyrics, though...
    THE END IS NE
  • bossman3188bossman3188 Posts: 263
    nice catch! i never would have picked up on that one
    there'll be time for laughin'
    there's no time to cry
    soon i will be leavin'
    look me in the eye
    no matter what's in front of me
    it's your face that i'll see
  • I thought the green reference was obviously about money, I can see how you can relate it to the war, but I think the initial post is a bit of a stretch.
  • Awesome ideas. I'll have to listen to it more closely.
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  • lukin10lukin10 Posts: 39
    Originally posted by Lithium_Barbiedoll
    I was thinking about the lyrics to "Green Disease" and I suddenly picked up some references to the military and what is going on in our country as well as the middle east. lemme know what you think.

    "It's a disease, and they're all green. It eminates from their being."
    military uniforms are green, like parasites or a "disease" there are large numbers of soldiers. They are easily recongizable amongst the native people where they are stationed.

    "A satiation with occupation.."
    they find satisfaction in in being the higher class in a war torn zone (let's use the situation in Iraq as an example)

    "And like weeds, with big leaves, stealing light from what's beneath. Where they have more, still they take more."
    the military forces over seas are supposed to be helping, but to many are actually causing more trouble and keeping the people of that country from living the way they want to..?

    "Course I know, then I don't. There's a stowaway with my throat. It's deceiving, I don't believe him."
    People in the U.S. are told different things by the military and the president and we don't know what to believe.

    "We can scream out our doors. Behind a wall a fat man snores. In his dreams he's chokin tea leaves."
    We can speak against the war/president all we want but the Bush administration is still going to do what they want although they seem to be a bit confused about what to do (reference to the Ti leaves)and what this war will eventually lead to (for the U.S. as well as the middle east).

    "Well I guess there's nothin wrong with what you say. 'But, don't sell me, there can be better ways. Tell the captain this boat's not safe and we're drownin.. turns out he's the one makin waves."
    All of these troubling things are happening because Bush is making decisions without considering the people of this country, as well as the wellbeing of people around the world and how his decisions affect everyone.

    "I said there's nothing wrong with what you say. Believe me, just askin you to sway. No white or black, just grey. Can you feel this world with your heart and not your brain?"
    I think this is a significant part of the message of this song.. saying it's alright to have your own opinion about what is going on in the world, but think about the people around you and their wellbeing.

    eh?

    wow thats a nice interpretation. that makes sense too.

    i was thinking coporate greed.
    "Time is on the side of the oppressed today, it's against the oppressor. Truth is on the side of the oppressed today, it's against the oppressor. You don't need anything else."-Malcolm X
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