Control - Alexisonfire
Tuning: Db
Bridge
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Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
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dimebag 66' Average |
#1 by dimebag 66' at Sep 26, 2007 at 12:15 AM EST |
| i think its about inner conflict...about denial, of trying to convince yourself your in control of something when its really just a big mess. but mostly about the inner conflict..you can't have peace and love people if you don't have inner peace or even love yourself. you can't be something your not. | |
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Sari Average |
#2 by Sari W at Sep 26, 2007 at 1:41 AM EST |
| Very obvious meaning to me, the song is a message to an anorexic Burden: Something that is carried. This burden's not a heavy one But I assure you, it's present sounds to me like the burden is the weight anorexia and bulimia are a synonym (in a way) of the word control.. i can assure you from my personal problems with stupid EDs. they talk about mirrors, looking less alive, control, believing you're fine... it's written anorexia all over the place in my head when i heard that song | |
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dan Average |
#3 by dan binley at Sep 26, 2007 at 3:20 AM EST |
| Okay, I'm going to start this off by saying that this song is probably the most meaningful song to me in the world. Big statement, I know... but this song just does something to me. My take on it is that's it's about being self-conscious or having low-self esteem, but being in denial of it all. Not wanting to face up to an emotional problem because of on-growing pressure. This burden's not a heavy one, but I assure you it's present. -Talking about how depression may not be a big deal when comepared to other disasters in the world nowdays, but it's still a problem and it's still hard to deal with. You say that you're in control, you say that you are. I can't think of a time when you've looked less alive. -I've experienced these very lines in real life. I've seen my friend throw his life away by smoking and drinking and using all sorts of drugs, YET he continues to insist that he's just dealing with everything in 'his own way'. He tells me that he's in complete control. But he's not. And it's very obvious. You said, 'Wait until light, my dear', just wait until light. One more day will go by, maybe today you should try to look past the mirror and find (look past the mirror) that there's something inside, something more to your life. -'Wait until light', I believe, is kinda like a metaphore for 'I'll do it tomorrow'. So maybe after this person has come out of denial, he/she still is putting off on getting help. But Dallas says 'One more day will go by, maybe today you should try to..' because he sees through what this person is trying to do. 'Look past the mirror' conects with the issue of poor self-esteem. This person may not be confident with what he/she sees on the outside, but Dallas sings about the deeper things inside a person that count. Something more to life than what's only skin deep. My words won't heal you now, my words won't heal. It is you who decides, it is you who decides. -Nothing that anyone says to a person will fix depression in him/her. This person needs to decide for his/herself whether or not he/she wants to get better and overcome all of these confidence issues. Believe that you are just fine, believe that you are. You'll feel so alive, you'll feel so alive. -Again, believing in yourself is one of the only ways to tackle depression and self-hate. The healing process does rely a lot on the person him/herself. And it's true, by letting go depression, you feel like you're alive again. You can breathe again. You're no longer trapped within yourself. Be what you are now, be what you are. Do not keep it inside, that hate will not subside. -When someone is depressed or self-concious, they aren't letting themselves fully be themselves. They hold back on things, because they are either shy, embarrassed, don't fit in, or they just don't believe they are capable. 'that hate' is meaning the self-hate, and how it will never sink down to nothing. It's never going to vanish or cool if you keep it inside. You have to let it go. Haha, don't worry, I'm done now. :] I'm really relieved I got all of that out because I've been dying to do this for, like, EVER. Like I mentioned before, I've experienced this personally through my friends as well as myself. This song still makes me cry, no matter how many times I hear it. And it's just amazing that the lyrics can mean so many different things to everyone. So TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK OF MY TAKE ON IT. I'll be glad to talk to other people about it! I like hearing about people's OWN thoughts! | |
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FUCK EMO Badass |
#4 by FUCK EMO at Sep 26, 2007 at 4:23 AM EST |
| I think this is my fave song off Watch Out! it's so emotional and the guitar is fantazmic. I just think it's about a person whose friend is having severe emotional problems. The person is doing everything they can to help, but in the end it's them who decide how to feel. | |
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choop Rhythm Player |
#5 by choop at Sep 27, 2007 at 10:48 PM EST |
| maybe a bit too obvious, but maybe its about putting on a front? Someone is acting totally not them and pretending to be something they're not and its getting out of control Look past the mirror That there's something inside Something more to your life Maybe this is saying that who that person really is isnt as bad as they may think ? And someone close to this person that can see what they are doing is trying to help them out and be like i know this isnt you, just be you. They can see that pretending to be someone else is hurting and ruining this person. And they're saying look ive done everything i can, this is up to you, only you can change you back to who you really are. This burden's not a heavy one But I assure you, it's present This burden's not a heavy one But I assure you, it is present this so called 'burden' could be the one of tryign to help this person be who they really are. maybe it just reminds me of a friend of mine who just changed all of a sudden and tryign to be loyal to them and help them be who they really are again is a burden but saying that its not a heavy one is because this person does mean so much to you and u WANT to help them ? meh just a theory i thought i'd share i have more on this theory but i dont wanna bore you all so there is my mini version ^_^ | |
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Vinny Average |
#6 by Vinny Spano at Sep 28, 2007 at 5:27 PM EST |
| i think its a split-meaning song about individualism, racism, and realtionships: "be what you are now, do not keep it inside, the hate will not subside" - being what you want, despite the fact that you wont be accepted, and never will be "this burden's not a heavy one, but I assure you it's present" - about being of a culture/race, and how it can be seen as a burden because of prejudice, racism etc. the rest is about the other meanings the other people touched on above me | |
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Daniel Wanna Be |
#7 by Daniel Tucker at Sep 29, 2007 at 1:27 AM EST |
| i totally agree with jennikay...i have a friend whose fighting anorexia and when i listened to this song it reminded me so much of her-->the chorus: This burden's not a heavy one But I assure you, it's present This burden's not a heavy one But I assure you, it is present in my opinion means that this persons anorexia isnt extremly bad but its still there and the part "you think your in control" means that theyre trying to convince themself that they have contol over it and that they can stop it whenever they want and then"i couldnt think of a time you looked less alive" well..if youve ever seen an anorexic person youd know that they dont look very lively and anyways "look past the mirror- that theres something inside-something more to your life- my words wont heal you now- its you who decides" which would obviously means that theres more to you than just your appearence and you should try to look past that and your the only one who can end your anorexia | |
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Baxter Wanna Be |
#8 by Baxter at Sep 29, 2007 at 1:41 AM EST |
| I think that this song is maybe George/Dallas talking to a friend who has a drug problem and that it's up to them if they want to quit or not. George/Dallas can't make up their mind, the choice has to come from within them. You say that you're in control. You say that you are = The person is in that stage when they say they are in control of their drug habit and they're trying to convince everyone else that they are too I can't think of a time when you looked less alive = Prolonged drug use makes you look terrible. You said, "Wait until light, my dear", just wait until light. One more day will go by = The person is putting off giving up the drugs...I'll just have one more hit/spliff/whatever, I'll give it up tomorrow Look past the mirror, that there's something inside, something more to your life = George/Dallas is telling them that there's pretty much more to life that getting high My words won't heal you now. It is you who decides = Pretty self-explanatory. George/Dallas is saying that it's up to the person to choose to get off the drugs and that nothing they say will help Believe that you are just fine = Just keep on deluding yourself into thinking you're ok like this That hate will not subside = The pain you feel inside won't go away by taking drugs So anyway, that's my thoughts. Feel free to tell me I'm talking a load of shit though! | |
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alex Average |
#9 by alex czelowalnik at Sep 29, 2007 at 10:13 PM EST |
| Woo! If that was directed at me.. I really like your take on those lines (the light metaphor)! I never thought of it like that! It fits really well!! I'm happy now!! :D | |
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Mitch Badass |
#10 by Mitch Schooler at Sep 30, 2007 at 9:27 AM EST |
| I think this is my fave song off Watch Out! it's so emotional and the guitar is fantazmic. I just think it's about a person whose friend is having severe emotional problems. The person is doing everything they can to help, but in the end it's them who decide how to feel. | |
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michiel Wanna Be |
#11 by michiel adams at Oct 1, 2007 at 5:35 AM EST |
| anyone looked up burden? : Something that is carried. Something that is emotionally difficult to bear. A source of great worry or stress; weight: The burden of economic sacrifice rests on the workers of the plant. A responsibility or duty: The burden of organizing the campaign fell to me. Nautical. The amount of cargo that a vessel can carry. The weight of the cargo carried by a vessel at one time. | |
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leester Professional |
#12 by leester at Oct 1, 2007 at 7:25 AM EST |
| It always sounded to me like talking to someone with anorexia: You say that you're in control - in control of the disorder. Maybe today you should try - try to start eating again. Look past the mirror and find... that there's something inside, something more to your life - something more than how they look (hence the mirror reference) My words won't heal It is you who decides - ultimately it is their decision to give up anorexia Maybe, maybe not, it's just what I always took it as. | |
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aleXeXeX Rhythm Player |
#13 by aleXeXeX at Oct 1, 2007 at 12:21 PM EST |
| this song is awesome.....i think its about a girl that depends on a friend or drugs to make her problems better, thats probably why they sat my words wont heal you now it is you who decides.....they have done all they could but its up to that person to fix their own problems and re-assure themselves | |
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cash Wanna Be |
#14 by cash putnam at Oct 2, 2007 at 2:49 AM EST |
| its about conformism ok!!! lol stop giving into peer pressure its realy pussy gayish | |
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ScumFucBondage Average |
#15 by ScumFucBondage bumsex at Oct 2, 2007 at 10:07 PM EST |
| alexisonfire always seem to write inspiring lyrics, or at least words that can be interpretated as inspiration for their audience. i think they do it well, without sound too cheesy or life saving like say, my chemical romance. a couple of lyrics- "this burden is not a heavy one but i assure you it is present" this could be a reference to growing up, puberty. everyone goes through it, it's not a hard thing to get over but it definitly appears it at the time. "you say 'wait until light' " this could be someone putting off something, as mentioned before, it could be a reference to addiction of any sort. i think the light bit could be talking about maybe 'the light at the end of the tunnel, ' or a better day in general. that, or they are living through an artificial night and they think that the light will come to them. "one more day will go" she/he is wasting their time, just putting it off "until light" "maybe you should just try, to look past the mirror " i think this could be them trying to say it isn't all about looks, maybe this is what is keeping this person locked away. " see what's inside" - again, it isnt what you look like it's what's inside that counts. it sounds as if he is getting fustrated with the person for having such a selfish obsession. "something more to your life" their is more to life than this infatuation, you have to go looking for it yourself as it will not just come to you when your hiding away. "my words won't heal you now, it is you who decides" i can't help you anymore than i have he is saying, you have to make your own mind up, i can't make decisions for you. he can't stop this person from doing what they are doing, and he has helped all he can. the repition of the "it is you who decides" definitly emphasises the point immensly. "believe that you are just fine" fake it and soon it wil lcome naturally. "you'll feel so alive" if you just get yourself out of this state that your in now you can enjoy life more. pretty obvious, really. i think this is a very open song, as everyone has to grow up and everyone goes through problems that they have to just get over and get on with things instead of dwelling on them. :) | |
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Chase Average |
#16 by Chase K at Oct 3, 2007 at 8:42 AM EST |
| , I haven't read a better interpteration by anyone yet. The only thing i disagree about is the lines; -You said, 'Wait until light, my dear', just wait until light. One more day will go by, maybe today you should try to look past the mirror and find (look past the mirror) that there's something inside, something more to your life.- I think the light metaphor means that like you know.. when it rains it pours. But after something bad there's also something good. So it's like wait for tomorrow, things will be better. And look past the mirror, like don't care about how you look and what you think about yourself- it's the inside that matters etc. Like be more confident about yourself. | |
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Adam Average |
#17 by Adam Baine at Oct 4, 2007 at 3:12 AM EST |
| definately about anorexia....first thing that came to my mind with the whiole mirror bit and this burden is not a HEAVY one etc... amazing song | |
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leaves Average |
#18 by leaves u who i dont like at Oct 4, 2007 at 5:26 AM EST |
| Nah thats pretty much what i was going to say verbatim... seems a little too obvious though, meh. | |
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Apria Wanna Be |
#19 by Apria at Oct 4, 2007 at 10:02 AM EST |
| well i fell like u it could have multiple meanings, and the drug addiction may not be far off since theyve dedicated a whole other song to drugs. as for the song its awsome. its deffinatly seems to be about an internal conflict of somesort | |
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Tyler Wanna Be |
#20 by Tyler Swagar at Oct 4, 2007 at 10:27 AM EST |
| btw i LOOOOOVVE this song and the lyrics :] all of alexisonfires songs are well-writtten and catchy hehehe | |
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Josh Wanna Be |
#21 by Josh at Oct 4, 2007 at 1:08 PM EST |
| This burden's not a heavy one But I assure you, it's present -opening the song with this confuses me. usually when you write a song, it's backed with a lot of emotion, but this line, to me, means that there is a problem, just not a big one. like a thorn in your side, always there, but never a big problem. You say that you're in control You say that you are -people with problems (drugs or eating disorders, like a few other people mentioned) almost always say they're in control of it. I can't think of a time When you looked less alive -obviously this problem is taking a toll on this person's health You said, "Wait until light, my dear" Just wait until light -like someone else stated, they're just pushing off the solution to the problem, whatever that problem may be. One more day will go by -pushed off the solution again Maybe today you should try -self-explanatory Look past the mirror and find Look past the mirror -people who have eating disorders have one major enemy, mirrors. That there's something inside Something more to your life -than being so vain as to think you need to lose weight/use drugs My words won't heal you now My words won't heal It is you who decides It is you who decides -this person has to help themselves, noone else can do it for them Believe that you are just fine Believe that you are -sarcasm, maybe? You'll feel so alive You'll feel so alive -more sarcasm? Be what you are now (be what you are) Be what you are -stop trying to be something you're not (a drug abuser, not skinny enough?) Do not keep it inside -let your feelings out That hate will not subside -the hate you have for yourself won't leave until you let it Be what you are now (be what you are) Be what you are Do not keep it inside That hate will not subside Or im just full of shit. | |
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m Wanna Be |
#22 by m t at Oct 4, 2007 at 10:59 PM EST |
| I think everyone is looking a tad too far into this... Ever consider that it's not specifically about anorexia, but more about issues in general? I'm sure everyone knows someone in their life who just always sees the bad in everything and always brings others down with their negativity... I just think the song is more of a plea, for people like that to just look past the negativity and try to be happy. The reason for this is that well, the impression I get when Dallas and George take turns in singing is they sing from different sides of the story, so for instance: This burden's not a heavy one, But I assure you its present Is perhaps the negative person, who takes everything no matter how small and just drills the negativity of the situation into you to the point that it's not dismissable, it's present. And the rest of the song is Dallas trying to get that person to look past it. Anyway, that's just what I think. 1 | |
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jimmeny Lead Player |
#23 by jimmeny Maschnikket at Oct 5, 2007 at 6:08 AM EST |
| It may be about drugs, but it doesn't seem like it to me. Just seems like an anger problem, and if you don't face it eventually, it will never subside and you'll spend your life angry and anti-social. | |
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TOM Lead Player |
#24 by TOM at Oct 5, 2007 at 7:00 PM EST |
| Seems to point at some anti-social girl. Talking about how a girl who could have possibly got hurt and is feeling down and out, possibly suicidal. I really couldn't tell you. I could see it have a possible drug refrence. such as addiction. i just find a couple meanings behind the song im going after, someone help me out here. | |
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