So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Run and tell all of the angels
This could take all night
Think I need a devil to help me
Get things right
Hook me up a new revolution
'Cause this one is a lie
We sat around laughing
And watched the last one die
Now I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of lying
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly high
Think I'm done nursing the patience
It can wait one night
Give it all away
If you give me one last try
We'll live happily ever trapped
If you just save my life
Run and tell the angels
That everything's alright
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly high
Make my way back home
When I learn to
Fly along with me
I can't quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own
Fly along with me
I can't quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
When I learn to
Looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly high
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly
Make my way back home
When I learn to
This could take all night
Think I need a devil to help me
Get things right
Hook me up a new revolution
'Cause this one is a lie
We sat around laughing
And watched the last one die
Now I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of lying
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly high
Think I'm done nursing the patience
It can wait one night
Give it all away
If you give me one last try
We'll live happily ever trapped
If you just save my life
Run and tell the angels
That everything's alright
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly high
Make my way back home
When I learn to
Fly along with me
I can't quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own
Fly along with me
I can't quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
When I learn to
Looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly high
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly
Make my way back home
When I learn to
Lyrics submitted by me109cito, edited by Skoobasteve24
Learn to Fly Lyrics as written by Oliver Taylor Hawkins David Eric Grohl
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think its about someone who is looking for salavation. The video to this song is really funny!
Good interpretation. I got that too.
@RedArmy Just some thoughts. <br /> <br /> Who is looking for salvation? Seems to me the song was inspired from outside source ( a fallen angel) . It's a story about a fallen angel who lost glory because of someone else's lies ( the devil, Satan ). And the result was..." war: Michael ( Jesus) and his angels fought against the dragon ; and the dragon fought and his angels,8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Revelation 12:7-9<br /> <br /> This angel is seeking another chance, to fly back into heaven that's why it keeps looking to the sky (heaven). But this is a lie in it's self that Dave has fallen into in many occult musicians and artist. Luciferians believe that God will give Satan another chance and that this world (earth) will be given to him and his fallen angels at the end of the age. You have large organizations working towards this goal, like the New Age Movement, the United Nations, the Catholic Church, the music industry ( both modern christian and secular music), the fashion industry, art, and Entertainment ( movies, tv sitcoms). Satan has a majorly oiled machine, that reaches all areas of influence hence looking for "a new revolution", a over throw of government as we know it. But this will not happen in completeness. God will intervene in win the Great Controversy<br /> <br /> One more thing. The reason why Dave was bid to write the song in my humble opinion, is to gain sympathisers on the side of Satan . Musicians are paid very well to work for Satan because of thier influence. They are promised a high position in Satans ( or father Lucifers) kingdom.<br /> <br /> This is just another sympathy for the devil song. The video was surrounded by foolish imagery to shroud the important message. Fascinating! <br /> <br /> Also, what I find very interesting is this document that was published many years ago ( 100 maybe? ) talking about the Fall of Satan. You can clearly see the " learn to fly" senaireo if you just pay attention. I would recommend reading the whole book. Powerful. Here's the first chapter: The fall of Satan google.com/url
@RedArmy I agree...in my estimation... the lyricist wrote this because he was fed up with how life and society is turning out! How we've been lied to and hoodwinked into believing that everything is ok or going to be ok, so long as we comply and become comfortably numb. <br /> "Looking to the sky to save me", is a biblical term... which is found in Luke chapter 21 and verse 28 which states... "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”.. God is not afraid of who or how you worship him, because If you're truly seeking Him, He will find you!<br /> I wish you all well, especially the families of the Foo Fighters and all who follow you..<br /> love to you all
I would agree with: bexmcr123
"\Love this song...the video is soo funny. i think this song is about being fed up with your life...and pretending that your comfortable about where you are to others but fighting a battle within yourself from actually doing anything. you want to change for yourself but then stay the same for everyone else. learning to fly is like learning to break away and do things for yourself. i know this is like nothing to do with what anybody else has really put but hey thats what it means to me.!/"
Have always thought the same thing good to know im not alone.
By far the best summary Ive seen yet, Kudos to you dude.
Whenever I hear these lines it always makes me think of the Nirvana days:
\"Hook me up a new revolution Cause this one is a lie We sat around laughing and watched the last one die\"
Nirvana definitely shook things up and while everyone was running around trying to exploit and profit off of that, they seemed to forget that the person that it all revolved around was in trouble.
@spotchester Sorry for the really late reply on this, a whole 11 years!! I couldn't agree more with your comment on these three lines. Unfortunately this song has come into my life after my brothers tragic passing and my good God your summation/synopsis of the whole Nirvana thing etc couldn't be truer of my life's predicament right now in dealing with grief. Just perfect and you've helped me come full circle on some thoughts. Greetings and best wishes.
always made me think of getting a grasp on the way things are going for you.. conflict makes life interesting, so the line "looking for a complication" implies that he wants life to have some spice. so he wants to take control of his life, but at the same time make it worth living.
FAVORITE PART: [depends on mood]
As a musician, I can relate this song to a lack of inspiration.
Hes searching for his muse
"Run and tell all of the angels This could take all night Think I need a devil to help me Get things right" - I can't write a thing, I Need inspiration
Maybe the "Hook me up a new Revolution" part is talking about how he feels this genre, or "revolution" has died, or is just no good for him. "We sat around laughin and watch the last one die" We took this as a joke, and had fun as we watched other bands disappear.
The Chorus is very obvious. He desperately looks for inspiration, looking to the sky, looking for stuff in his head (sign of life) looking for something help him blast his ideas off his head. "Looking for a complication, looking cause im tired of trying" he's so sick of not writing anything good, he seeks for something to distract him from doing that. "Make my way back home when I learn to fly" I'm going to bed/home when i finish this shit.
"Think I'm done nursing the patience I can wait one night I'd give it all away If you give me one last try" He's tired, he won't write anything till tomorrow, but then... "We live happily ever trapped If you just save my life Run and tell the angels That everything is all right" He finds his muse, a girl, and everythings fine.
Finally, the "Fly along with me, I cant quite make it alone, I try to make this life my own" part, is about how he can't finish his song, without her, and needs her in his life.
this in my opinion is the best foo fighters song, straight up rock
Ehh its definitely ONE of the best, but in my opinion My Hero tops this. This is one of those songs thats great no matter what mood your in.
the video is really good! great lyrics, great song
the video is absolutley hilarious! this song is really special to me, but to be honest i haven't a clue what its about... like the salvation theory though...
yer.. Best Film Clip ever made... Dave Grohl, is as funny as he is cool . lol i lost it when The steward winks at the captain :P oh and btw.. Did anyvody notice the guys with the cocaine are Tenacious D??? I only just realiised this recently :)
lol, he does make a good woman, doesn't he?