The Grudge
Tool氀 Lyrics
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Calculate what we will or will not tolerate
Desperate to control all and everything
Unable to forgive your scarlet lettermen
Clutch it like a cornerstone, otherwise it all comes down
Justify denials and grip 'em to the lonesome end
Clutch it like a cornerstone, otherwise it all comes down
Saturn ascends
Choose one or ten
Hang on or be humbled again
Clutch it like a cornerstone, otherwise it all comes down
Justify denials and grip 'em to the lonesome end
Saturn ascends, comes round again
Saturn ascends, the one, the ten
Ignorant to the damage done
Wear the grudge like a crown of negativity
Calculate what we will or will not tolerate
Desperate to control all and everything
Unable to forgive these scarlet lettermen
Wear the grudge like a crown
Desperate to control
Unable to forgive and sinking deeper
Defining
Confining
And sinking deeper
Controlling
Defining
And we're sinking deeper
Saturn comes back around to show you everything
Let's you choose what you will not see and then
Drags you down like a stone or lifts you up again
Spits you out like a child, light and innocent
Saturn comes back around.
Lifts you up like a child or
Drags you down like a stone
To consume you till you choose to let this go
Choose to let this go
Give away the stone
Let the oceans take and trans mutate this cold and fated anchor
Give away the stone
Let the waters kiss and trans mutate these leaden grudges into gold
Let go
The lyrics of Tool's song The Grudge are open to interpretation, but a common theme is the destructive nature of holding onto grudges and the inability to forgive. The grudge is compared to a crown of negativity that is worn, representing the desire to control everything and everyone. The fear of being wrong is a prison cell, and justifying denials only prolongs the suffering. Holding onto the grudge like a cornerstone signifies the importance placed on it, and the danger of letting it go.
Saturn, the planet of karma and limitations, is referenced in the lyrics as a cycle that repeats, bringing the opportunity to choose and learn, but also dragging down those who refuse to let go of their negativity. The lyrics suggest that by giving away the stone, which could represent the burden of the past, one can be liberated and transformed. The concept of transmutation, or transforming something negative into something positive, is a recurring theme in Tool's music.
The Grudge is known for its complex time signatures and intricate instrumental work. The song has been described as a masterpiece of progressive rock and metal, with Maynard James Keenan's vocals adding an emotional depth to the already intense lyrics. The song was nominated for a Grammy in 2002, and the album it is featured on, Lateralus, won the Best Metal Performance award.
Line by Line Meaning
Wear the grudge like a crown of negativity
Hold onto anger like it's a prized possession
Calculate what we will or will not tolerate
Decide what we will or won't accept in our lives
Desperate to control all and everything
Desperately trying to control everything around us
Unable to forgive your scarlet lettermen
Stubbornly refusing to forgive those who have wronged us
Clutch it like a cornerstone, otherwise it all comes down
Hold onto anger tightly, or else everything falls apart
Justify denials and grip 'em to the lonesome end
Rationalize our refusal to forgive and hold onto anger until the bitter end
Terrified of being wrong, ultimatum prison cell
Scared to admit fault, leading to a self-imposed prison
Saturn ascends
Good fortune and luck are on the horizon
Choose one or ten
Make a choice between many options, or be indecisive
Hang on or be humbled again
Hold onto our anger or learn to let go and be humble
Ignorant to the damage done
Unaware of the harm we cause ourselves by holding onto anger
Wear the grudge like a crown
Continue to hold onto anger as a way of life
Desperate to control
Desiring complete dominance over our lives and surroundings
Unable to forgive and sinking deeper
Refusing to let go and suffering as a result
Defining
Establishing one's beliefs and values
Confining
Restricting oneself with rigid beliefs and attitudes
And sinking deeper
Falling further into the self-imposed prison of anger
Controlling
Attempting to control every aspect of one's life
And we're sinking deeper
Continuing to fall deeper into the prison of anger and control
Saturn comes back around to show you everything
Opportunities for growth and positive change will come again
Let's you choose what you will not see and then
Forces us to confront what we've been avoiding
Drags you down like a stone or lifts you up again
Can either bring us down or lift us up, depending on our attitude
Spits you out like a child, light and innocent
Can liberate us from the prison of anger and help us find innocence and joy once again
Give away the stone
Let go of the anger and resentment
Let the oceans take and trans mutate this cold and fated anchor
Allow the natural flow of life to take over and transform the negative emotions into positive ones
Let the waters kiss and trans mutate these leaden grudges into gold
Allow healing and transformation to take place, turning negative emotions into positive ones
Choose to let this go
Make the conscious decision to release the anger and move on
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adam Jones, Daniel Carey, Justin Gunner Chancellor, Maynard James Keenan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chibakusenpai3645
[Verse 1]
I have nightmares each week 'bout that Friday in May
One phone call from you and my entire world was changed
Trust that you betrayed, confusion that still lingers
Took everything I loved and crushed it in between your fingers
And I doubt you ever think about the damage that you did
But I hold onto every detail like my life depends on it
My undying love, now, I hold it like a grudge
And I hear your voice every time that I think I'm not enough
[Chorus]
And I try to be tough, but I wanna scream
How could anybody do the things you did so easily?
And I say I don't care, I say that I'm fine
But you know I can't let it go, I've tried, I've tried, I've tried for so long
It takes strength to forgive, but I don't feel strong
[Verse 2]
The arguments that I've won against you in my head
In the shower, in the car, and in the mirror before bed
Yeah, I'm so tough when I'm alone, and I make you feel so guilty
And I fantasize about a time you're a little fuckin' sorry
And I try to understand why you would do this all to me
You must be insecure, you must be so unhappy
And I know, in my heart, hurt people hurt people
And we both drew blood, but, man, those cuts were never equal
[Chorus]
And I try to be tough, but I wanna scream
How could anybody do the things you did so easily?
And I say I don't care, I say that I'm fine
But you know I can't let it go, I've tried, I've tried, I've tried for so long
It takes strength to forgive, but I don't feel strong
[Bridge]
Ooh, do you think I deserved it all?
Ooh, your flowers filled with vitriol
You built me up to watch me fall
You have everything, and you still want more
[Chorus]
I try to be tough, I try to be mean
But even after all this, you're still everything to me
And I know you don't care, I guess that that's fine
But you know I can't let it go, I've tried, I've tried, I've tried for so long
It takes strength to forgive, but I'm not quite sure I'm there yet
It takes strength to forgive, but
@Ducklord981
Use this as the Olivia Rodrigo is a musical genius button!!!
@namantherockstar
Olivia inspires me.. My parents said if i get 60K followers They'd buy me a professional camera for recording..begging u guys , literally
Begging...
@blu3berrycow592
@Mladyblogofficial bro she's not getting sued for the lyrics she's getting sued for the music. If your gonna hate atleast get the facts right lmao 💀💀
@eternallyhappy247
She really is
@anna_dwst
@@Mladyblogofficiali agree with you but this has nothing in commun with ocean eyes or lovely
@mertgerik4653
I literally disliked lol
@tatumb08
As a fellow grudge holder, the line "It takes strength to forgive but I'm not sure I'm there yet." hits very hard. This is 100% my favorite song on the album!!!
@Paityn.nicole13
Absolutely
@melissacarreno6475
Agree ❤️❤️
@kyrabrown4483
Fr