Hello and welcome back to another installment of “A Critical Look”. Today I’d like to look at a song by Brian ‘Head’ Welch off his solo album “Save Me From Myself”. Warning, this song contains religious undertones that some might not agree with. I’m looking objectively at the song and its meaning, and am not in any way telling anyone what to believe in. This is just my interpretation of what the song is trying to say.
Song and Lyrics
Verse
Mom and Dad are not happy
They fight every night
They can’t even get through just one
Day without a fight
Mom and Dad don’t notice me
They work six days a week
Sundays we all go to church but
We don’t even speak
Chorus
Rebel! Rebel!
Your parents have failed you
And I’m here to tell you
Rebel! Rebel!
The world has abused you
And I’m here to choose you!
Verse 2
My stepdad, he hates me, so he
Hits me all the time
But when we’re around people he
Acts like we’re all fine
My real dad, he left us all one
Day when I was 4
Mom got drunk and told me that my
Dad loves me no more
Chorus 2
Rebel! Rebel!
Your parents have failed you
And I’m here to tell you
Rebel! Rebel!
The world has abused you
And I’m here to choose you!
Bridge
The blood has poured out just like dust
Just read the writing on the wall
You’re so consumed with your lust
You do not fear my word at all
It’s time I break your family curse
Of lies, neglect, abuse, and shame
You’ll have to give me your life first
You’ll never be the same!
You’re not alone anymore.
If you knock, I’ll open the door.
Outtro
Don’t forget about the golden rule
Love me with all your heart
If you give me just that one request
We will never be apart
Your life it means so much to me
You’ve been abused in every way
Everyone on earth has let you down
Now come… try me
They’re breaking, they’re taking you down
They’re willing to kill you right now
They’re breaking, they’re taking you down
They’re willing to kill you right now
They’re… They’re… They’re… They’re…
Song Meaning
The song is specifically geared towards children. Even more specifically, it’s geared towards children who have a shitty childhood. The song explores topics like neglect, physical, and verbal abuse.
But, this song explains a sort of light at the end of the tunnel. Many kids rebel against their parents, and turn to drugs, sex, suicide, crime… All sorts of unmentionable things. What this song says to do, basically, is “You really wanna mess with people? Become a follower of Jesus Christ!” If you’re going to rebel, rebel in a positive way.
Heh, that really would mess with people, wouldn’t it? After all the shit you’ve suffered at their hands, you suddenly pipe up and say “I’ve given my soul to Jesus Christ, and I forgive you! I love you all!” Those people would be like “… get away from me… you’re scaring the shit outta me!”
Unfortunately, I’m oversimplifying the meaning here though (and finding it hard to be serious), so let’s delve into more of what the song is trying to express.
“Your parents have failed you … The world has abused you… You’ve been abused in every way… Everyone on earth has let you down.” These lyrics express that Jesus recognizes everything that has happened to you. “Why does God let there be bad things?!” Jesus sees these bad things happening to you, and wants to help.
“It’s time I break your family curse… You’ll have to give me your life first, you’ll never be the same.” “You’re not alone anymore. If you knock I’ll open the door.” “If you give me just that one request, we will never be apart.” “Your life it means so much to me.” “Now come try me.” Every one of these lyrics explains how much better Jesus wants to make your life. It sort of gives the vision that everyone you’ve met has brought you pain, but Jesus won’t.
The verse lines all explain specifically the abuse. The first verse explains neglect, and the second explains domestic abuse and verbal. “Mom got drunk and told me that my Dad loves me no more.” That’s got to be the worst thing you can tell a kid. “Your father left because he hates you. It’s all your fault.”
What This Has To Do With Me
I consider myself an ascended Christian, in that I don’t believe everything the bible says, nor do I go to church or hang out in Christian groups. That said, I respect Jesus and what he was trying to impose on human culture.
When I heard this song, I thought it was a hilarious idea. It’s like the ultimate F-U to someone. I imagined myself in front of all the bullies that ever beat me up, and musing at the idea that they all wanted me to break down into nothing, and be angry and hurt all the time. Instead, I’m standing there saying I now follow Jesus Christ, and they are forgiven. I pictured a child that’s abused, and wondering what an abusive parent must expect their kid to be. I’d guess you want your kid to be submissive cattle. Try and imagine after all these years of abuse, the kid shows up and says “Fuck you, know what I’m gonna do? I’m gonna accept Jesus Christ, and then forgive you!” I know that sounds ridiculous, but imagine if that’s what they did. An abusive parent who isn’t religious at all… what a big middle finger it must be to that person that you found religion in spite of them.
I was moved more by these lyrics “You’re not alone anymore. If you knock I’ll open the door” and “Now come try me.” It almost dares you to find Jesus in an abusive manner. You won’t. I don’t care what you believe… even the most liberal definitions of Jesus wouldn’t describe him as abusive…
I’m naturally a very cynical person, but this to me was a challenge to not be cynical, and take it seriously. A challenge to see if I’d come out disappointed.
Now, it seems like I’m really ringing the religion bell here, and I’m not. I think that you should find hope in any way that you can. It doesn’t have to be through Jesus Christ… It could very well be through Buddha in finding Nirvana, or being at peace with the spirits of mother earth. The point is to adopt an outlook that is positive, forgiving, and released from pain.
This song to me was the first time I ever realized what the most powerful emotion you could ever express to your listener was. Up until now, Korn was all about releasing the negative energy, but they never really spoke of what to do about it. This song expresses that emotion of relief. It shows what it’s like to no longer have to feel that pain anymore. It’s like how a prisoner of war must feel after finally being released… They don’t have to struggle anymore, or be scared anymore. They’re finally in a big ball of safety and comfort… after running and hurting for so long.
That to me is the strongest feeling ever, that feeling of relief. Kinda like when you were a child and you could cry in your mother’s arms to feel safe and secure. It’s a very strong primitive reaction.
This song expressed that feeling very strongly, even if at the time I didn’t even believe in Jesus Christ. I don’t think you have to believe in Jesus… just envision that there’s a personification to sanctuary. It’s a beautiful wonderful place you can go, and never have to worry about all the things that are eating at you every day. A great weight being lifted. And it’s the kindest thing ever to hear that you’re invited, and that invitation’s been open for a long time, but you never accepted it. But they’re not mad, because they love you the way a parent loves their child. The way a parent should love their child. They just want you to be happy… whether you accept that invitation or not, they just want to know that you’re happy.
That is how I discovered my religion… perhaps you can discover your own personal connection with something greater, or perhaps something within yourself after hearing this song. Again, I’m not pushing anyone to believe in any particular deity… I’m just saying that having faith in something can lift a great weight off of you.