To date, the band has released five studio albums, one EP and one box set. They emerged with a heavy metal sound on their first studio album, Undertow (1993), and became a dominant act in the alternative metal movement with the release of their follow-up album Ænima in 1996. Their efforts to unify musical experimentation, visual arts, and a message of personal evolution continued with Lateralus (2001) and 10,000 Days (2006), gaining critical acclaim and international commercial success. Their fifth studio album, Fear Inoculum, was released on August 30, 2019, to widespread critical acclaim. Prior to its release, the band had sold more than 13 million albums in the US alone.
Due to Tool's incorporation of visual arts and very long and complex releases, the band is generally described as a style-transcending act and part of progressive rock, psychedelic rock, and art rock. The relationship between the band and today's music industry is ambivalent, at times marked by censorship, and the band's insistence on privacy.
There is a raging debate about whether Tool can be considered "post-metal" or not. However, they surely had a hand in its creation as much as Neurosis. The influential act Isis was heavily influenced by Tool's music, so much that they lifted entire basslines and guitar riffing from Tool and even their iconic snare sound was inspired by Tool's style. Much has been made of both Isis and Tool's sound and influence across the years but one thing is sure, modern post-metal has their fingerprints everywhere and it would not have sounded this way without them. Additionally, Tool actually was aware of and liked Isis' music as they chose Isis as touring partners, a move that brought even more attention to Isis' music.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool_(band)
Studio albums
Undertow (1993)
Ænima (1996)
Lateralus (2001)
10,000 Days (2006)
Fear Inoculum (2019)
Ticks & Leeches
Tool Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Suckin' up all you can, suckin' up all you can suck and suck
Workin' up under my patience like a little tick
Fat little parasite
Suck me dry
My friend is bruised and borrowed
You thieving bastards
Beat my compassion black and blue
Hope this is what you wanted
Hope this is what you had in mind
'Cause this is what you're getting
I hope you're choking
I hope you choke on this
I hope you're choking
I hope you choke on this
Taken all I can, taken all I can, I can take
Taken all you can, taken you can, we can take
Got nothing left to give to you
Blood suckin' parasitic little tick
blood suckin parasitic little
Blood suckin' parasitic little tick
Take what you want and then go
Hope this is what you wanted
Hope this is what you had in mind
'Cause this is what you're getting
Suck me dry
Suck, suck me dry
Sucking me dry
Suck, suck me dry
Is this what you wanted?
Is this what you had in mind?
Is this what you wanted?
'Cause this is what you're getting
I hope, I hope, I hope you choke
The song Ticks & Leeches by Tool is known for its aggressive and powerful lyrics that condemn people who take advantage of others for their own gain. The opening lines of the song, "Suck and suck / Suckin' up all you can, suckin' up all you can suck and suck" sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The use of the terms "ticks" and "leeches" represent people who attach themselves to others and suck their energy, time, and resources until they're dry.
The song talks about the frustration that arises when people take advantage of one's kindness, patience, and empathy. The line "Workin' up under my patience like a little tick" suggests that the parasitic behavior of such people erodes one's patience and mental stability. The lyrics "You thieving bastards / You have turned my blood cold and bitter / Beat my compassion black and blue" express a deep sense of anger and hopelessness towards those who have drained the singer emotionally and psychologically.
The chorus of the song "Hope this is what you wanted / Hope this is what you had in mind / 'Cause this is what you're getting / I hope you're choking / I hope you choke on this" emphasize the singer's sense of vindictiveness and desire for revenge. The repetition of the line "Is this what you wanted?" reflects the desire for the leeches and ticks to feel the pain they have inflicted upon others.
Overall, Ticks & Leeches is a powerful criticism of people who take advantage of others for their gain. The lyrics are intense, aggressive and expressed through a powerful arrangement of music, providing a cathartic experience for the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Suck and suck
Continuously taking and using up resources without regard for the consequences.
Suckin' up all you can, suckin' up all you can suck and suck
Exploiting and draining all available resources, disregarding the damage caused to others.
Workin' up under my patience like a little tick
Persistently and methodically draining the singer's emotional resilience and well-being, like a parasitic tick.
Fat little parasite
An insatiable and harmful creature that feeds on the host, causing damage and disease.
Suck me dry
Continuously taking and using up all of the artist's resources, without giving anything back.
My friend is bruised and borrowed
The singer's close relationship or trust with someone has been betrayed or exploited, causing harm and damage.
You thieving bastards
The exploiters or parasites are being called out for their stealing or thievery of the singer's resources and well-being.
You have turned my blood cold and bitter
The exploiters' actions have caused the artist's emotions to become negative and unfeeling, lacking warmth and empathy.
Beat my compassion black and blue
The artist's ability to feel and express empathy and kindness has been beaten, harmed, and bruised by the exploiters' actions.
Hope this is what you wanted
The artist questions the exploiters' intentions and desires, wondering if they truly aimed to harm others for their own gain.
Hope this is what you had in mind
The singer questions whether the exploiters' actions were planned and premeditated, or if they acted on impulse without considering the consequences for others.
'Cause this is what you're getting
The artist suggests that the exploiters will receive the negative consequences of their actions, perhaps as karmic retribution.
I hope you're choking
The singer expresses a desire for the exploiters to have physical or symbolic difficulty in their ways of life, as a metaphorical punishment.
I hope you choke on this
The singer wishes harm or consequences upon the exploiters, as a form of justice or revenge for their actions.
Taken all I can, taken all I can, I can take
The singer has reached his limit in terms of what he can give or sacrifice for the exploiters' needs, and can no longer endure their actions.
Taken all you can, taken you can, we can take
The exploiters have taken all that they could from the artist, but they continue to want more, even if it harms the community as a whole.
Got nothing left to give to you
The artist has completely exhausted his resources and emotional reserves, and can no longer provide for the exploiter's needs.
Blood suckin' parasitic little tick
The exploiters are compared to blood-sucking parasites, draining the singer's resources and causing harm without contributing positively back to society.
Take what you want and then go
The exploiters are encouraged to take what they need, but then leave without causing more harm or doing further damage.
Suck me dry
The artist continues to express the idea of being completely drained by the exploiters, with no resources, energy, or motivation left.
Is this what you wanted?
The artist continues to question the exploiter's intentions and desires, asking if they truly wanted to cause harm and drain resources from others.
I hope, I hope, I hope you choke
The artist expresses a strong desire for the exploiters to suffer negative consequences, using choking both as a metaphor and a manifestation of their immoral actions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adam Jones, Daniel Carey, Justin Gunner Chancellor, Maynard James Keenan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@travman1370
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
Suck and suck
Sucking up all you can
Sucking up all you can suck and suck
Working up under my patience like a little tick
Fat little parasite
Suck me dry
My fruit is bruised and borrowed
You thieving bastards
You have turned my blood cold and bitter
Beat my compassion black and blue
[Chorus]
Hope this is what you wanted
Hope this is what you had in mind
'Cause this is what you're getting
I hope you're choking
I hope you choke on this
I hope you're choking
I hope you choke on this
[Verse 2]
Taken all I can, taken all I can, I can take
Taken all you can, taken all you can, we can take
Got nothing left to give to you
Blood-sucking parasitic little tick
Blood-sucking parasitic little
Blood-sucking parasitic little tick
Take what you want and then go
[Chorus]
Hope this is what you wanted
Hope this is what you had in mind
'Cause this is what you're getting
[Bridge]
Suck me dry
Suck, suck me dry
Sucking me dry
Suck, suck me dry
[Chorus]
Is this what you wanted?
Is this what you had in mind?
Is this what you wanted?
'Cause this is what you're getting
I hope, I hope, I hope you choke
@withoutwords7404
@Aliyah Ximena I imagine it was quite a task. That bass line is probably one of the most unique bass lines ever written. (Not that I have listened to every single bass line ever.) But I find Tools greatest songs are the ones that never made it to video or radio.
I don't know, it's probably just because radio stations and mild fans tend to overplay those kinds of songs.
Don't get me wrong, I love Schism. But there is so much more. H and Jimmy are particular favorites of mine off of Aenima. Parabol, Parabola, Disposition and Reflection off of Lateralus. Wings for Marie and 10,000 days off 10,000 days.
Eh, I dunno... I'm just rambling at you for some reason. The truth is, I could sit here and list every Tool song as my favorite. From their first EP to the new album.
Anyways, I will stop ranting at you. Thanks yet again for the mood uplifter. Good luck with the bass :}
@Faks.09
My favourite thing about this song, is how instruments appear one by one,
Drums -> Bass -> Guitar - > Vocals
@JAMBI..
Right. Fucking gem.
@Y.d.o.b.o.n
Terrace entrance
@checkcasheddavid
Load and ReLoad as with all their songs! You’ve got it perfectly!
@gonzo_o_o
Just like Reflection :D
@aquawicket
Welcome to Tool
@supremevideos3996
Headphones on, eyes closed is the only way to hear Tool. It's not just a song but an experience.
@polorat3198
See this guy KNOWS
@goldehh1069
god it’s the fucking best. been having a shitty day and i just go off into my own world with TOOL moving my body and releasing the energy
@ricktherrien8235
Here here!!