Rorschach Test formed in Denver, Colorado, and later relocated to Seattle where they were signed to the now defunct label Slip Disc Records out of Chicago, Illinois. They endured a successful career during Seattle's lively music scene in the 90's. They toured North America playing shows with the likes of Korn, Type O Negative, Genitorturers, Queensrÿche.
Official Myspace profile: http://www.myspace.com/rorschachtest
Gridlock
Rorschach Test Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lads zieg hielaluya to your king
fall on your knees like flies
you can't succeed here
apart from everything and nothing that is high
high
Homeless veteran, dying of aids will work for food
do you feel it too? do you feel high?
High
Jesus doesn't come through the cotton
Jesus doesn't come through my vein
Jesus doesn't come through my heart anymore
He says he never knew
my name do you feel the same
when you get
high?
The song "Gridlock" by Rorschach Test is a social commentary on the current state of society. The opening lines, "Rise Congregation, rise stand to your feet", is a call to action for the people to wake up and become aware of their surroundings. The next line, "Lads zieg hielaluya to your king", is reminiscent of the Nazi salutes and is an admonition against blind obedience to authority figures. The lyrics then take a dark turn as it describes the plight of a homeless veteran dying of AIDS who will work for food and get free subway needles to inject drugs.
The line "you can't succeed here apart from everything and nothing that is high" is a comment on the idea that success in society is often tied to one's ability to escape reality, whether it be through drugs or other means. The use of "high" in the song is recurrent, and it serves as a metaphor for freedom or escapism.
The latter part of the song is more personal, with the lyrics describing the singer's own struggle with addiction and disillusionment. The phrase "Jesus doesn't come through my heart anymore" is a recognition that religious devotion is constantly challenged by the harsh realities of life. This realization is further complicated by the line "He says he never knew my name, do you feel the same when you get high?", which evokes the idea that there is no refuge from the harshness of reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Rise Congregation, rise stand to your feet
Get up and be ready to take action, come together as a group
Lads zieg hielaluya to your king
Praise and worship your leader blindly
fall on your knees like flies
Submit to the authority of your leader completely and without question
you can't succeed here
You will not be able to thrive in this environment
apart from everything and nothing that is high
Except for the high that comes with being part of the group, there is no real substance or satisfaction to be found
Homeless veteran, dying of aids will work for food
Even those who are facing extremely difficult circumstances will resort to desperate measures to survive
subway needles all for free I'm in the mood
Drug addiction can overpower logic and decision-making, leading to dangerous and destructive behavior
do you feel it too? do you feel high?
Is the rush of momentary pleasure and escape from reality worth the long-term consequences?
Jesus doesn't come through the cotton
The hope and faith that once sustained me are now replaced by addiction and despair
Jesus doesn't come through my vein
The idea of a higher power guiding and protecting me is not enough to deter me from seeking out the next high
Jesus doesn't come through my heart anymore
My faith is no longer strong enough to combat the pull of addiction
He says he never knew my name do you feel the same
The fear of abandonment and loneliness can lead to seeking out unhealthy coping mechanisms and self-destructive behaviors
when you get high?
When you numb yourself with addictive behaviors, do you feel the same sense of loneliness and disconnection?
Contributed by Aria K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.