Initially a avantgarde thrash metal / prog rock hybrid, Thought Industry's signature sound is showcased on their first two albums; Songs For Insects and Mods Carve The Pig: Assassins, Toads And God's Flesh, however by the time of their third album Outer Space Is Just A Martini Away, the band had started to shed their metal roots and had moved into alternative and art rock by the time they recorded their fourth album, 1997's Black Umbrella. The band are known to have remained active as of 2001 but disbanded shorly after the release of their magnum opus Short Wave On A Cold Day.
Third Eye
Thought Industry Lyrics
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Touch is everlasting. I've seen your God fall dying from
The sky. The Eagle's a Vulture sucking at Eden.
Children on a playground one kid's bigger than the
Rest. The blind stand beside him. The weak wither and
Die. The big kid stands defiant. Arrogant in his bliss.
Thinks that sinew and knuckles can make him always
I'll run from him. I'd rather hide than be dead. I'll run
From him. I'd rather die than be in bloody slavery. A
Follower. Without destiny I'll be done.
Someone lied about God and Country but I have a third
Eye politically. What will it take to tear it all down?
What does it take to see the U.S. draft's a lie.
A child in the classroom. The bastard's meaner than
The rest. The meek are crushed below him. The poor are
Forced to crime. The big kid stands amoral. A loser as he
Wins. Thinks he has a worldly view by looking through a
Straw.
I'll run from him. I'd rather hide than be dead. I'll run
From him. I'd rather die than be in bloody slavery. A
Follower. Without destiny I'll be.
Brokers and athletes with rich self-denial. I'll choose my
Winners by who wear the smiles.
... (more info)
The lyrics of "Third Eye" by Thought Industry delve into the themes of power, oppression, and corruption. The first stanza talks about the singer's fear, which is a habitual feeling for them. They compare it to a "rusty needle" that leaves an everlasting touch. They have seen "your God fall dying from the sky," which indicates that the higher power has been defeated or perhaps corrupted. The "Eagle" that was once a symbol of power and strength is now a "Vulture sucking at Eden." This is an allegory for how power can corrupt the ones who hold it.
The second stanza describes children on a playground where one kid is bigger and more powerful than others. The rest of the children stand blindly beside him, while the weaker ones die. The big kid stands arrogantly, believing that strength and power are the only ways to justify being right. The singer chooses to run from him, rather than facing him or following him blindly. The third stanza talks about how someone has lied about "God and Country," and the singer realizes this because of their third eye, politically. They question what it will take to tear down the corrupt system and how to see the truth behind the U.S. draft.
The last stanza talks about a child in a classroom who is meaner than the rest, and how even the meek are crushed below the child. The poor are forced to turn to crime, while the big kid stands amoral, believing in his worldly view through a straw. The singer, again, chooses to run from him than be a follower without destiny.
Overall, "Third Eye" is a commentary on how power and corruption can impact both individuals and society as a whole. The lyrics tackle the idea of social, political, and economic injustice, and how the powerless can either choose to run or rise against it.
Line by Line Meaning
Fear's my love, a lonely habit. Like a rusty needle my
Touch is everlasting.
Fear is what I'm used to and it's become a habit. My touch is like a disease that never goes away.
I've seen your God fall dying from
The sky. The Eagle's a Vulture sucking at Eden.
I've witnessed the downfall of the god that you worship. The eagle symbolizing freedom is now greedily taking from the once perfect garden.
Children on a playground one kid's bigger than the
Rest. The blind stand beside him. The weak wither and
Die. The big kid stands defiant. Arrogant in his bliss.
Thinks that sinew and knuckles can make him always
Right.
On a playground, there is one child who is bigger than the rest. The blind follow him as the weak are pushed to their limits and hardly survive. The big kid is unapologetic and thinks his physical strength makes him righteous.
I'll run from him. I'd rather hide than be dead. I'll run
From him. I'd rather die than be in bloody slavery. A
Follower. Without destiny I'll be done.
I will run from the big kid because I would rather hide than be killed by him. I would rather die than be a servant to him. I refuse to follow him and have no purpose if I do.
Someone lied about God and Country but I have a third
Eye politically. What will it take to tear it all down?
What does it take to see the U.S. draft's a lie.
People have been deceived about religion and patriotism, but I can see the truth politically. What will it take to bring it all down? How do we see that the U.S. draft is manipulated?
A child in the classroom. The bastard's meaner than
The rest. The meek are crushed below him. The poor are
Forced to crime. The big kid stands amoral. A loser as he
Wins. Thinks he has a worldly view by looking through a
Straw.
There is a child in the classroom who is crueler than everyone else. The lower class is forced to succumb to the pressure, leading them to commit crimes. The big kid is a sore loser but always comes out on top. He believes he sees the world but has no true vision.
Brokers and athletes with rich self-denial. I'll choose my
Winners by who wear the smiles.
The financial elite and athletes are delusional in their wealth. I will choose those who show happiness and positivity as my winners.
Contributed by Logan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.