Vicarious

The definition of vicarious is “felt or experienced as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another.” Tool scored a hit on rock radio with their 2006 song “Vicarious” off of their album “10,000 Days.” However, despite its popularity, “Vicarious” was not written with commercial success in mind. The lyrics of this song definitely can be considered vicarious as they are explicit, shocking, sensational and vivid. In fact, if one analyzes the lyrics, it is clear that the song “Vicarious” questions the fundamental nature of mankind.
The song “Vicarious,” is seven minutes long and begins with a mysterious and dark sounding riff being played by both the electric guitar and the bass. In the background, one can also hear drummer Danny Carey playing chimes, which only adds to the ominous feeling of the intro to the song. At approximately 45 seconds into the song, the song changes pace, and suddenly a surprisingly hard riff and groove is heard. Just before the opening lyrics of the song are sung the guitar disappears, leaving only the bass and the drums to back up the singer. The opening lines of the song are “Eye on the TV ‘cause tragedy thrills me, Whatever flavor it happens to be.” Lead singer Maynard James Keenan then goes on to name different “flavors” of tragedy in the lines that follow: “Killed by the husband, Drowned by the Ocean, Shot by his own son, She used the poison in his tea, And kissed him goodbye.” These tragedies are all typical and consistent with those that headline the news each night. In fact, if you listen carefully, you can hear news anchors in the background echoing what Keenan is saying. However, it is important to note that Keenan isn’t criticizing the news for broadcasting stories like the above examples. Rather, he is criticizing the public for craving these types of stories. This is supported by the last line of the first verse where Keenan sings “It’s no fun ‘til someone dies.” While uttering these lines, Keenan’s voice changes to an almost sadistic snarl. This tone of voice helps Keenan to get his point across of how people crave tragedy.
The main point of the song “Vicarious” is that all people in today’s society relish in others misfortunes and view them as entertainment, yet refuse to admit it. This point is illustrated in many lines throughout the song. In the lyrics of the second verse, “Don’t look at me like I am a monster. Frown out your one face, But with the other, Stare like a junkie into the TV, Stare like a zombie, While the mother holds her child, Watches him die, Hand to the sky crying “Why, oh why?” ‘Cause I need to watch things die from a distance.” These lines are very straightforward and accusatory. What Keenan is saying is that everyone receives a sensational rush while they see another persons’ misfortunes, whether they would like to admit it or not. A real life experience that supports this is driving by an accident scene, whether it involves cars, trucks, buildings or trees, people or animals. No matter how major or minor the damage to both the people and the property are, people cannot resist the temptation of gawking and staring at the accident. A statement about society’s conscience is made halfway through the song’s lyrics. Keenan points out that the public’s sense of right and wrong is horribly skewed. According to him, no ordinary picture or event captures our imaginations like a tragedy. As the song observes, “We won’t give pause until the blood is flowing.”
Building towards its conclusion, the song suddenly loses its momentum and slows down. As the pace of the song dwindles, singer Maynard James Keenan whispers the lines “We all feed on tragedy, It’s like blood to a vampire.” No sooner does he complete this thought then the music picks back up to its previous pace as Keenan shouts the final lyrics of the song. The lapse in tempo helps to emphasize the above lyrics, despite the fact that they were whispered. These lyrics insinuate that people don’t only use tragedies as diversion from their own lives, but that they have become such an ingrained part of our daily culture that they are necessary to survival “like blood to a vampire.”
Keenan not only confronts and addresses this issue; he also demands that it be fixed. He does so in the following lines, “Pull your head out your hippy haze and listen. Shouldn’t have to say it all again.” This lyric hits hard because it is a direct slap at anyone who has derived pleasure from someone else’s misfortune. It can also be implied that it is shameful and embarrassing to have this human need to feed off of others troubles.
The song “Vicarious” by Tool points out a fundamental flaw within mankind to gain satisfaction through another’s ruin. Tool makes this point through an unconventional song structure that does not have a chorus. It does however have scathing lyrics and vocals by singer Maynard James Keenan, delivered direct and upfront approach. The dark musical tone of the song contributes very much to the overall message of the song.