Interpretations Talk:When Will You Die
- Disclaimer: I will use the word ‘sociopath’ throughout my interpretation, because of its earlier use throughout this discussion board. I am assuming that the others in this board have meant ‘sociopath’ to mean an individual with antisocial personality disorder, or a similar mental illness that involves lack of empathy (Autism spectrum disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, bi-polar 1’s manic episodes, schizophrenia, etc.) Sociopath is a term that has quite a bit of negative connotation, but people with these illnesses/lack of empathy are not monsters/murderers, and in my argument I use sociopath the way that it is used throughout this board- to mean something negative, even though I do not agree that those without empathy are negative people at all.*
Everyone likes to think that this song is about some ‘sociopath’, or about a ‘darker, more merciless’ side of Linnell, but you all seem to missing the utter simplicity of this song.
1. First of all, it is not "sociopathic" to wonder when someone will die, especially if they have done something to upset you or hurt you. It isn’t out of the ordinary to wish someone was dead. Perhaps it is only out of a moment of anger or intense emotion, but nonetheless it isn't unusual. The song’s light feeling, and an overall look at They Might Be Giant’s other songs, tell you that this isn’t about something too dark at all, but rather just being upset with someone. Even after something like a breakup, someone may wish that their ex was dead, out of anger or sadness. They aren’t a "sociopathic murderer", they are a human being with emotions. Even someone who does not have the capacity for empathy, could want someone dead in a simple way, out of anger or spite, and not want to do anything about it.
2. "Schoolchildren stay at home (yeah) And all the banks will close (yeah) Each year we'll mark the date (yeah) On which we celebrate (yeaah)" Someone made a comment about this, and I just think that this clause of song is emphasizing the degree they want this person to die. When you die everyone will be so happy, it's a holiday.
Overall, I think that people seem to over analyze this song (and all TMBG songs), and that it is just talking about someone the narrator doesn't like.
It's Simpler Than You Think[edit]
- Disclaimer: I will use the word ‘sociopath’ throughout my interpretation, because of its earlier use throughout this discussion board. I am assuming that the others in this board have meant ‘sociopath’ to mean an individual with antisocial personality disorder, or a similar mental illness that involves lack of empathy (Autism spectrum disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, bi-polar 1’s manic episodes, schizophrenia, etc.) Sociopath is a term that has quite a bit of negative connotation, but people with these illnesses/lack of empathy are not monsters/murderers, and in my argument I use sociopath the way that it is used throughout this board- to mean something negative, even though I do not agree that those without empathy are negative people at all.*
Everyone likes to think that this song is about some ‘sociopath’, or about a ‘darker, more merciless’ side of Linnell, but you all seem to missing the utter simplicity of this song.
1. First of all, it is not "sociopathic" to wonder when someone will die, especially if they have done something to upset you or hurt you. It isn’t out of the ordinary to wish someone was dead. Perhaps it is only out of a moment of anger or intense emotion, but nonetheless it isn't unusual. The song’s light feeling, and an overall look at They Might Be Giant’s other songs, tell you that this isn’t about something too dark at all, but rather just being upset with someone. Even after something like a breakup, someone may wish that their ex was dead, out of anger or sadness. They aren’t a "sociopathic murderer", they are a human being with emotions. Even someone who does not have the capacity for empathy, could want someone dead in a simple way, out of anger or spite, and not want to do anything about it.
2. "Schoolchildren stay at home (yeah) And all the banks will close (yeah) Each year we'll mark the date (yeah) On which we celebrate (yeaah)" Someone made a comment about this, and I just think that this clause of song is emphasizing the degree they want this person to die. When you die everyone will be so happy, it's a holiday.
Overall, I think that people seem to over analyze this song (and all TMBG songs), and that it is just talking about someone the narrator doesn't like.
