While the rest of the album is filled with covers of songs by earlier artists such as John Lennon, "War Drums" is often regarded as a remix of "Pet", from the previous album, Thirteenth Step. However, on the aMOTION DVD commentary, Maynard James Keenan states that it is a second part of "Pet", a continuation. While the former is the subject of addiction, "War Drums" focuses on a political agenda. Mixed by Danny Lohner, the music is completely electronic and without any guitars, unlike "Pet."
Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums
A Perfect Circle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Step away from the window, go back to sleep
Safe from pain and truth and choice and other poison devils
See, they don't give a fuck about you like I do
Count lies like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep
Count lies like sheeps, like sheeps, like sheeps, like sheeps, like sheeps, like sheeps
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums
Count bodies like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep
Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep
Go back to
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep,
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep,
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep,
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep,
Go back to sleep
Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
I'll be the one to protect you from your enemies and all your demons
I'll be the one to protect you from a will to survive and a voice of reason
I'll be the one to protect you from your enemies and your choices, son
They're one in the same
I must isolate you
Isolate and save you from yourself
The song "Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums" by A Perfect Circle is a commentary on how society is being manipulated and kept ignorant by those in power. The singer is urging the listener to "step away from the window" and "go back to sleep" because the truth is too painful to confront. He claims that he is the only one who cares about the listener and that the people in power "don't give a fuck about you."
The chorus of "counting bodies like sheep" is a metaphor for how easily people are led and manipulated by those in power. This is reinforced by the heavy, pounding rhythms of the song, which sound like war drums, symbolizing the power dynamics at play. The singer concludes by saying that he must "isolate and save you from yourself" because the listener's enemies and choices are one and the same.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't fret precious, I'm here
You can relax because I am here to protect you
Step away from the window, go back to sleep
Stop looking out into the world, it's dangerous out there. Go back to your dreams where everything is safe
Safe from pain and truth and choice and other poison devils
In your dreams, you can escape the harsh realities of life and the choices that come with it
See, they don't give a fuck about you like I do
The rest of the world isn't going to protect you like I will
Count lies like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep
Stop believing everything you hear, question everything
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums
Be aware of the death and destruction that surrounds us in times of war and be vigilant
Go back to sleep
Escape into your dreams and forget about the harsh realities of the world
I'll be the one to protect you from your enemies and all your demons
I will be your protector from anything that can harm you, even your own inner demons
I'll be the one to protect you from a will to survive and a voice of reason
I will protect you from the desire to survive and make rational choices, which can sometimes lead you astray
I'll be the one to protect you from your enemies and your choices, son
I will protect you from both external threats and the choices that you have to make in life
They're one in the same
Your choices and your enemies can sometimes be interchangeable
I must isolate you
I need to shelter you from the world in order to keep you safe
Isolate and save you from yourself
Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy, and I will protect you from yourself
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY HOWERDEL, MAYNARD KEENAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mostafa Hossain Tuhin
Don't fret precious I'm here, step away from the window
Go back to sleep
Safe from pain and truth and choice and other poison devils
See, they don't give a fuck about you, like I do
Counting bodies like sheep
Counting bodies like sheep
Counting bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Counting bodies like sheep
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Counting bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Counting bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Counting bodies like sheep
Go back to sleep
Go to sleep [14x]
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Counting bodies like sheep
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Counting bodies like sheep
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Counting bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Counting bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Counting bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
To the rhythm of the war drums
I’ll be the one to protect you from your enemies and all your demons
I'll be the one to protect you from a will to survive and a voice of reason
I'll be the one to protect you from your enemies and your choices son
They're one and the same, I must isolate you…
Isolate and save you from yourself …
Tiffany Martin
Crazy how I haven't heard this in years and it's just as relevant now.
Robert
I don't think it will ever be not relevant.
Richard
😆😆😆 talking about politics never gets stale
TheN1ghtwalker
It'll always be relevant unless we overthrow our governments and start living like human beings.
Truth Bomb
Exactly
🦂🔥🐉
Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it
Jeremy Rock
1
MYKILL
Or you just remove it.....
martin palm
@MYKILL or rewrite it.
Daniel Mitchell
Sad but true