Steven Wilson wrote "Anesthetize" during February, 2006 in Tel Aviv, at the time he was working on the second Blackfield album.
The song can be split into three sections, and in the album booklet, asterisk markings separate the lyrics to each of the sections. These sections are not named in the booklet, although during their BBC Radio 1 Rock Show performance, Gavin Harrison revealed that part two is called "The Pills I'm Taking". The song "What Happens Now?" from the Nil Recurring EP uses a sample of the opener riff for this second movement.
The song's first section features a guitar solo by Alex Lifeson of Canadian progressive rock band Rush.
The full-length live projection for this song comes on the Fear of a Blank Planet DVD-A edition as a bonus feature.
"Anesthetize" was voted "Best track of 2007" by readers of the Dutch Progressive Rock Page.
In September 2011 Wilson declared on his Facebook-page that Anesthetize is one of the 20 songs he's most proud of.
Anesthetize
Porcupine Tree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of myself
Not much to conceal
I'm saying nothing
But I'm saying
Nothing with feel
I simply am not here
Shut up, be happy
Stop whining please
Because of who we are
We react in mock surprise
The curse of "there must be more"
So don't breathe here
Don't leave your bags
I simply am not here
No way, I
Shut up, be happy
Stop whining please
The dust in my soul
Makes me feel the weight in my legs
My head in the clouds
And I'm zoning out
I'm watching TV
But I find it hard to stay conscious
I'm totally bored
But I can't switch off
Only apathy from the pills in me
It's all in me, all in you
Electricity from the pills in me
It's all in me, all in you
Only MTV, cod philosophy
We're lost in the mall
Shuffling through the stores like zombies
What is the point?
What can money buy?
My hand's on a gun
And I find the range, God, tempts me
What did you say?
Think I'm passing out
Only apathy from the pills in me
It's all in me, all in you
Electricity from the pills in me
It's all in me, all in you
Only MTV, cod philosophy
Only apathy from the pills in me
It's all in me, all in you
Electricity from the pills in me
It's all in me, all in you
Only MTV, cod philosophy
Water so warm that day (water so warm that day)
I counted out the waves (I counted out the waves)
As they broke into surf (as they broke into surf)
I smiled into the sun
The water so warm that day
I was counting out the waves
And I followed their short life
As they broke on the shoreline
I could see you
But I couldn't hear you
You were holding your hat in the breeze
Turning away from me
In this moment
You were stolen
And there's black across the sun
Water so warm that day (water so warm that day)
I counted out the waves (I counted out the waves)
As they broke into surf (as they broke into surf)
I smiled into the sun
The lyrics of this song paint a picture of a person who is disillusioned with their life and feels disconnected from the world around them. The opening lines suggest that the person is trying to present a good image of themselves, but there is nothing beneath the surface. They are not being honest or revealing anything about themselves. The repeated line "I simply am not here" suggests that the person is detached from their own life and is going through the motions without really feeling anything.
The song goes on to describe a sense of boredom and apathy that is numbing the person's emotions. They are watching TV but find it hard to concentrate or feel anything. The line "Only apathy from the pills in me" suggests they may be taking medication to numb their feelings. The line "We're lost in the mall, shuffling through the stores like zombies" further emphasizes the sense of disconnection and detachment from the world.
As the song progresses, there is a shift in tone. The lines "Water so warm that day, I counted out the waves" seem to offer a moment of respite and connection to nature. But even here, there is a sense of loss and disconnection, as the person sees someone they know but cannot hear them or connect with them.
Overall, the lyrics of this song offer a powerful commentary on the alienation and disconnection that can come with modern life, and the toll it can take on our emotional well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
A good impression of myself
I am projecting a positive image of myself
Not much to conceal
There is not much about me that is hidden
I'm saying nothing
I am not actually sharing my thoughts or feelings
But I'm saying nothing revealed
I am not saying anything that would give away my inner workings
I simply am not here
I am detached and disconnected from the present moment
No way I should appear happy
I do not have any reason to feel happy or content
Stop whining please
I am not interested in hearing complaints or negativity
Because of who we are
As a result of our individual personalities and circumstances
We react in mock surprise
We pretend to be surprised, even though the situation is not unexpected
The curse off, there must be more
When something negative is temporarily lifted, there is still a sense of dissatisfaction
So don't breathe here
I don't want you to be around me
Don't leave your bags
I don't want you to leave anything behind when you leave
The dust in my soul
I feel weighed down and restless
Makes me feel awake in my legs
I feel a physical sensation of restlessness and anxiety
My head in the clouds
I am distracted and unfocused
And I'm zoning out
I am losing touch with reality
I'm watching TV
I am trying to distract myself
But I find it hard to stay conscious
I am struggling to stay alert and aware
I'm totally bored
I am not interested in anything around me
But I can't switch off
I am unable to fully disconnect from my surroundings
Only apathy from the pills in me
I am only feeling indifferent due to medication
Its all in me, all in you
The effects of the medication are affecting both me and those around me
Electricity from the pills in me
The medication is making me feel energetic or restless
Only eMpTV, cod philosophy
The TV is only providing empty and meaningless messages
We're lost in the mall
We are aimlessly wandering in a commercial environment
Shuffling through the stores like zombies
We are moving around in a monotonous and lifeless way
What is the point
There is no clear purpose to all of this
What can money buy
Material wealth and possessions do not bring true satisfaction
My hand's on a gun
I am contemplating violence
And I find the range, God, tempt me
I am capable of doing something dangerous and tempting fate
What did you say
I am not fully present and missed something important
Think I'm passing out
I am feeling faint or losing consciousness
The water so warm that day
The temperature of the water was a pleasant memory
I counted out the waves
I was trying to focus on something simple and rhythmic
As they broke into shore
The waves gradually came to an end
And I followed their short life
I was contemplating the brevity of existence
As they broke on the shoreline
The waves hit the boundary between water and land
I could see you
I could observe you, but not interact with you
But I couldn't hear you
I was not receptive to communication or conversation
You were holding your hat in the breeze
You were at ease and relaxed
Turning away from me in this moment
You were not focused on our relationship or interaction
You were stolen as black across the sun
You disappeared or became obscured
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Steven John Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mahimaryal4720
Lyrics "Anesthetize"
A good impression of myself
Not much to conceal
I'm saying nothing
But I'm saying nothing with feel
I simply am not here
No way I...
Shut up, be happy
Stop whining please
Because of who we are
We react in mock surprise
The curse of "there must be more"
So don't breathe here,
Don't leave your bags
I simply am not here
No way I...
Shut up, be happy
Stop whining please
The dust in my soul
Makes me feel the weight in my legs
My head in the clouds
And I'm zoning out
I'm watching TV
But I find it hard to stay conscious
I'm totally bored
But I can't switch off
Only apathy from the pills in me
It's all in me, all in you
Electricity from the pills in me
It's all in me, all in you
Only MTV, cod philosophy
We're lost in the mall
Shuffling through the stores like zombies
What is the point?
What can money buy?
My hand's on a gun
And I find the range, God tempt me
What did you say?
Think I'm passing out
[x2]
Only apathy from the pills in me
It's all in me, all in you
Electricity from the pills in me
It's all in me, all in you
Only MTV, cod philosophy
Water so warm that day (water so warm that day)
I counted out the waves (I counted out the waves)
As they broke into shore
I smiled into the sun
The water so warm that day
I was counting out the waves
And I followed their short life
As they broke on the shoreline
I could see you
But I couldn't hear you
You were holding your hat in the breeze
Turning away from me in this moment
You were stolen as black across the sun
Water so warm that day (water so warm that day)
I counted out the waves (I counted out the waves)
As they broke into shore (as they broke into shore)
@Luismoravin
On the beach (and a beer), I love to listen this part:
"The water, so warm that day
I was counting out the waves
And I followed their short life
As they broke on the shoreline
I could see you
But I couldn't hear you
You were holding your hat in the breeze
Turning away from me
In this moment
You were stolen
And there's black across the Sun"
@vedranbakic1039
This song alone is better than most musician careers.
@ttripz66
The truth!
@suzannekneale6953
You are so right
@tylersheets9133
finally, someone with the authority to say shit like this. thank you
@vedranbakic1039
@bill Bloggs yeah, well, it's obviously not for you. Keep listening to the shitty music that ain't monotonous to you and leave us alone.
@arhan1670
@bill Bloggs Monotonous?! lol This is the shortest 17-18 minute song I've ever heard. It feels like 2 minute The Beatles song.
@willasacco9898
I’m 65 and I just discovered them - Better late than never, to coin a phrase.
@ashthegeek7400
Enjoy :))
@willasacco9898
@Ash The Geek Thank you - I am
@jasonbing5255
I recommend the song "arriving somewhere but not here", it is beautiful. also welcome to the community.