Vicarious
Tool Lyrics

Eye on the TV
The singer is watching the TV screen keenly.

'Cause tragedy thrills me
The singer feels excited by hearing or watching tragic events.

Whatever flavor it happens to be like
The singer enjoys watching all kinds of tragedy, regardless of the specific details.

Killed by the husband
One of the examples of a story the artist finds interesting, when a person is killed by their spouse.

Drowned by the ocean
Another example of a story the artist finds interesting, when someone drowns in the ocean.

Shot by his own son
Another example of a story the singer finds interesting, when a person is shot by their own child.

She used a poison
Another example of a story the singer finds interesting, when a person is poisoned.

In his tea
The artist provides a specific example of how a person was poisoned.

And kissed him goodbye
The artist emphasizes how seemingly normal actions can lead to tragic events.

That's my kind of story
The artist expresses their preference for tragic stories.

It's no fun until someone dies
The singer suggests that tragedy is necessary for entertainment.

Don't look at me like
The artist anticipates judgment or disapproval.

I am a monster
The singer recognizes how their desire for tragedy may make them seem monstrous.

Frown out your one face
The singer believes that people are judgmental and two-faced, pretending to be sorrowful while secretly enjoying tragedy.

But with the other
The singer emphasizes the two-faced nature of people.

Stare like a junkie
The artist likens people's fascination with tragedy to that of a drug addict.

Into the TV
The artist points out that television magnifies people's fascination with tragedy.

Stare like a zombie
The singer likens people's fascination with tragedy to that of a zombie.

While the mother
The singer sets the scene of a tragic event with the mother holding her child.

Holds her child
The artist describes the mother's actions during the tragic event.

Watches him die
The artist describes the mother's tragic experience.

Hands to the sky crying
The artist paints a picture of a distraught mother in agony, reaching to the sky.

"Why, oh why?"
The singer further emphasizes the mother's distress by giving her a line of dialogue.

'Cause I need to watch things die
The artist admits their need to watch tragedy.

From a distance
The singer wants to watch tragedy from a safe distance.

Vicariously I live
The singer explains how they live through other people's tragedy.

While the whole world dies
The singer emphasizes the universality of tragedy.

You all need it too, don't lie
The artist challenges people to deny their desire for tragedy.

Why can't we just admit it?
The artist wonders why people can't be honest about their desire for tragedy.

We won't give pause until the blood is flowing
The singer believes that people will continue to clamor for tragedy.

Neither the brave nor bold were writers of the stories told
The singer shows that bravery and boldness are not the qualities required to spin good tragedy.

We won't give pause until the blood is flowing
The artist reemphasizes people's desire for tragedy.

I need to watch things die
The artist reiterates their desire to watch tragedy.

From a good safe distance
The artist stresses the importance of safety when watching tragedy.

Vicariously I live while the whole world dies
The singer repeats their explanation of how they live through other people's tragedy.

You all feel the same, so
The artist believes that everyone shares their desire for tragedy.

Why can't we just admit it?
The singer reiterates their disbelief that people won't own up to their craving for tragedy.

Blood like rain come down
The singer uses a metaphor to make the tragedy more vivid.

Drum on grave and ground
The singer creates an image that evokes both tragedy and the living world.

Part vampire
The artist's desire for tragedy is likened to that of a vampire's thirst for blood.

Part warrior
The artist emphasizes that watching tragedy is also a form of strength and power.

Carnivore and voyeur
The singer describes their desire for tragedy as both a feeding and a watching.

Stare at the transmittal
The singer is transfixed by the images on the screen.

Sing to the death rattle
The artist emphasizes the finality of death and how their appreciation of it doesn't change that fact.

La, la, la, la, la, la-la-lie
The artist uses a non-specific, nonsensical chant to underscore their lack of remorse for their desire for tragedy.

Credulous at best
The artist believes that people are naive.

Your desire to believe in
The singer believes people are gullible and want to believe in certain things.

Angels in the hearts of men
The artist uses a specific example of something that people want to believe in.

Pull your head out of your hippie haze
The singer addresses people's pretensions and encourages them to be more realistic.

And give a listen
The singer invites people to pay attention to their message.

Shouldn't have to say it all again
The singer wishes people would understand their message the first time.

The universe is hostile, so impersonal
The artist describes the universe as indifferent to human suffering.

Devour to survive, so it is
The artist notes that death is an inevitable part of survival.

So it's always been
The singer recognizes that tragedy has always been a part of the human experience.

We all feed on tragedy
The singer emphasizes that their desire for tragedy is shared by everyone.

It's like blood to a vampire
The artist reiterates how strongly people crave tragedy.

Vicariously I live while the whole world dies
The artist once again describes how they live through other people's tragedy.

Much better you than I
The artist emphasizes that they don't want to be the ones experiencing the tragedy.