In the past, band members dressed in outlandish makeup and costumes, and engaged in intentionally shocking behavior both onstage and off. Their lyrics often received criticism for their anti-religious sentiment and references to sex, violence and drugs, while their live performances were frequently called offensive and obscene. On several occasions, protests and petitions led to the group being blocked from performing, with at least three US states passing legislation banning the group from performing at state-owned venues. They released a number of platinum-selling albums, including Antichrist Superstar (1996) and Mechanical Animals (1998). These albums, along with their highly stylized music videos and worldwide touring, brought public recognition to Marilyn Manson. In 1999, news media, infamously, falsely blamed the band for influencing the perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre.
As this controversy began to wane throughout the 2000s, so did the band's mainstream popularity. Despite this, Jon Wiederhorn of MTV, in June 2003, referred to Marilyn Manson as "the only true artist today". Marilyn Manson is widely regarded as being one of the most iconic and controversial figures in rock music, with the band and its lead singer influencing numerous other groups and musicians, both in metal-associated acts and also in wider popular culture. VH1 ranked Marilyn Manson as the seventy-eighth best rock band on their 100 Great Artists of Hard Rock. They were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame in 2000, and have been nominated for four Grammy Awards. In the U.S., the band has seen ten of its releases debut in the top ten, including two number-one albums. Marilyn Manson have sold in excess of 50 million records worldwide.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Manson_(band)
Studio albums
Portrait of an American Family (1994)
Antichrist Superstar (1996)
Mechanical Animals (1998)
Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) (2000)
The Golden Age of Grotesque (2003)
Eat Me, Drink Me (2007)
The High End of Low (2009)
Born Villain (2012)
The Pale Emperor (2015)
Heaven Upside Down (2017)
We Are Chaos (2020)
Terrible Lie
Marilyn Manson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I not living up to what I'm supposed to be?
Why am I seething with this animosity?
(Hey God) I think you owe me a great big apology
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
(Hey God) I really don't know what you mean
Seems like salvation comes only in our dreams
I feel my hatred grow all the more extreme
(Hey God) Can this world really be as sad as it seems?
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need someone to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to someone on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't
(Hey God) There's nothing left for me to hide
I lost my ignorance, security, and pride
I'm all alone in the world you must despise
(Hey God) I believed your promises, your promises and lies
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
You made me throw it all away, my morals left to decay
How many you betray, you've taken everything
My head is filled with disease, my skin is begging you please
I'm on my hands and knees, I want so much to believe
I give you everything
My sweet everything
Hey God, I really don't know who I am
In this world of piss
I need someone to hold on to
The lyrics of Marilyn Manson's "Terrible Lie" speak to a disillusioned individual who is questioning their faith and their relationship with God as they grapple with personal struggles. The song begins with the singer addressing God directly, demanding an explanation for the hardships they are experiencing. They feel a sense of resentment towards God, believing that they deserve an apology for the difficulties they are facing. As the song progresses, the singer expresses their frustration with the idea of salvation only being found in dreams and their growing hatred towards the world. They recognize that they have lost their sense of security and are left feeling alone and betrayed by the promises and lies they believed.
The refrain of "Terrible Lie" repeats the phrase multiple times, emphasizing the feelings of deception and disillusionment present in the song. The bridge of the song takes a desperate turn, with the singer pleading for God to not take away the last bit of hope they have. They express how much they need someone or something to hold onto in their struggle.
Overall, "Terrible Lie" offers a visceral interpretation of the struggles faced by individuals who find themselves questioning their faith or facing personal challenges. The lyrics are emotionally charged, reflecting the angst and desperation felt by the singer as they confront their issues.
Line by Line Meaning
(Hey God) Why are you doing this to me?
Manson questions God about the challenges and troubles he's faced with in his life.
Am I not living up to what I'm supposed to be?
Manson wonders if he's not fulfilling his potential in life as he questions his purpose.
Why am I seething with this animosity?
Manson reflects on his inner turmoil; a deep sense of resentment and hostility towards himself and the world.
(Hey God) I think you owe me a great big apology
Manson sarcastically lashes out at God, holding Him responsible for his problems and demanding an apology.
Terrible lie
The phrase 'terrible lie' is used as a refrain throughout the song, representing the false promises and illusions that fuel Manson's disappointment and disillusionment.
(Hey God) I really don't know what you mean
Manson feels confused and uncertain about God's intentions, questioning if there's a deeper meaning behind his struggles.
Seems like salvation comes only in our dreams
Manson believes that salvation and hope can only be found in our dreams as reality is too bleak and hopeless.
I feel my hatred grow all the more extreme
Manson admits that his hatred and anger towards himself and the world intensifies every passing day.
(Hey God) Can this world really be as sad as it seems?
Manson questions the nature of the world and wonders if it's as messed up and depressing as it appears to be.
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Manson pleads with someone, possibly God, to not abandon or leave him alone as he clings onto hope and faith to survive.
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Manson reiterates his plea, repeating the same line in desperation.
You made me throw it all away, my morals left to decay
Manson blames God for making him lose his moral compass and leaving him in a state of confusion and decay.
How many you betray, you've taken everything
Manson accuses God of betraying and taking everything from him, making his life meaningless and void of any purpose.
My head is filled with disease, my skin is begging you please
Manson is tormented by his inner demons, begging God or anyone who's listening to take away his pain and suffering.
I'm on my hands and knees, I want so much to believe
Manson is vulnerable and desperate, seeking an escape from his misery and desperately looking for something to believe in.
I give you everything
Manson has given everything he has to God, only to be left feeling empty and disillusioned.
My sweet everything
Manson has invested everything he has, including his soul, in God's promises and illusions.
Hey God, I really don't know who I am
Manson is lost and confused, unsure of his identity and place in the world.
In this world of piss
Manson perceives the world as a miserable and helpless place, filled with filth and misery.
I need someone to hold on to
Manson reiterates his need for someone to hold onto and guide him through his struggles.
Contributed by Sebastian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DrJKintobor
on (s)AINT
Top 10 rappers Eminem was afraid to diss
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on Use Your Fist and Not Your Mouth
I woke up today and wished for tomorrow, I don't wanna be like anyone else!
DrJKintobor
on The Speed of Pain
This song reminds me of Shadow the Hedgehog falling to Earth. The lyrics "I hope we die holding hands, always" refers to him and Maria.
DrJKintobor
on Spade
This is the saddest song on the album.
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on Cyclops
Correction, this song makes me think of the dark night.
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on HALF-WAY & ONE STEP FORWARD
This song is so dark, it makes me think of Endora from Sabrina Online: Skunk's Day Out.
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on I Want to Disappear
This is Zaphod Beeblebrox's theme from Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy.
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on Posthuman
This song reminds me of the Mike Teavee Oompa Loompa song from the 2005 Willy Wonka movie, which is funny since Johnny Depp is friends with Marilyn Manson.
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on Tattooed In Reverse
This song gives me Blitzo from Helluva Boss vibes.
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on Long Hard Road Out of Hell
This song reminds me of Shadow the Hedgehog.