This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Border line
Dead inside
I don't mind
Falling to pieces
Count me in, violent
Let's begin feeding the sickness
How do I simplify?
Dislocate the enemy's on the way
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and white
So I can leave this world tonight
Full of fear
Ever clear
I'll be here fighting forever
Curious, venomous
You'll find me
Climbing to heaven
Never mind turn back time
You'll be fine
I will get left behind
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and white
So I can leave this world tonight
Holding on too tight
Breathe the breath of life
So I can leave this world behind
It only hurts just once
They're only broken bones
Hide the hate inside
Oh
(Forever, one I'll be fine)
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and white
So I can leave this world tonight
Holding on too tight
Breathe the breath of life
So I can leave this world behind
Dead inside
I don't mind
Falling to pieces
Count me in, violent
Let's begin feeding the sickness
How do I simplify?
Dislocate the enemy's on the way
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and white
So I can leave this world tonight
Full of fear
Ever clear
I'll be here fighting forever
Curious, venomous
You'll find me
Climbing to heaven
Never mind turn back time
You'll be fine
I will get left behind
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and white
So I can leave this world tonight
Holding on too tight
Breathe the breath of life
So I can leave this world behind
It only hurts just once
They're only broken bones
Hide the hate inside
Oh
(Forever, one I'll be fine)
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and white
So I can leave this world tonight
Holding on too tight
Breathe the breath of life
So I can leave this world behind
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This song is about borderline personality disorder (which I have). For example:
the title "unknown soldier" - with borderline personalty disorder there is usually a confusion about identity and not knowing anything about ones self, this can manifest itself as constantly shifting values and beliefs.
The word "borderline" is the first line in the whole song.
"dead inside" - people with borderline personality disorder often feel dead inside, empty and hollow. Self-injury is commonly used to not only makes ones self "feel alive" but also to deal with unwanted stimuli and emotions.
"count me in, violent, lets begin, feeding the sickness" - Borderline personality disorder is often accompanied by uncontrollable anger, which can sometimes turn into a psychotic episode where one loses control over their actions.
"show me what it's like, to dream in black and white, so I can leave this world tonight" - another term for borderline personality disorder is "extreme black and white thinking" (or emotional dysregulation disorder). There is no grey area, for example friends are either your best friends ever or you never want to talk to them again, and there is no in between.
"so I can leave this world behind" - statistically, 8-10% of borderline complete suicide.
"It only hurts just once, They're only broken bones, Hide the hate inside" - Borderline personality disorder is usually accompanied by self-injury (not just cutting, any self-injury inflicted), this is often used for several reasons. 1)to combat the feeling of being dead inside, making one feel alive. 2)people with borderline personality disorder often feel worthless and self hate, this leads to engaging in self-destructive activities 3)to leave a state of dissociation. In dissociation, one often views themselves in the third person or has lapses in reality, for example ill be helping my mom make dinner and ill just reach down and grab the heating coil in the over SEVERLY burning my hand, but then "snap" im back to the moment right before i open the oven, it actually never happened (me grabbing the heating coil in the oven), but there is no way to determine whether im dissociating or not. This leads me to question whether what im experiencing at any given moment is actually reality or another dissociation.
I so agree with you, that's really what this song is about for sure. I had a "girlfriend" I while ago with Borderline and it's really sad how painful life can be for them I really feel for those with borderline, But its really hard for other people/me to to be able to understand them fully and adept after them:( <br /> Anyway it never worked out so now she hates me and never want to see me again hehe.. :/<br /> <br /> Good written you! +
I agree completely that the main there is BPD. I'm wondering if the author had a person in their life with BPD. I have an ex son-in-law that had it, and my soon to be ex wife has a milder form of it. The black and white thinking is very predominant. It's as if they are in a fantasy - and so "dream in black and white" is fitting. One week I'm a terrible husband and father, the next day I'm wonderful and can do no wrong. It's a dream world.<br /> <br /> The uncontrollable rage is another one that jumps out in the song, and also episodes of wanting to do self-harm.<br /> <br /> To me, the "Unknown Soldier" is the person fighting to gain some control over the enemy in their mind. If they even fight it, as few with BPD seek out treatment.<br /> <br /> I'm very glad that you apparently have recognized it and I assume you have gotten treatment. Best of luck to you!
@inthepretendworld Don't make me laugh. It is NOT about BPD unless in your head you happen to have the sad fortune of hearing helicopters too. <br /> <br /> It is about WAR. It is a soldier in war. <br /> <br /> Falling to Pieces - ever watched a war movie? Ever asked anyone who has the balls to fight in a war? Kill a man and you can very well fall to pieces. <br /> <br /> The line about feeding the sickness - war is a sort of sickness. <br /> <br /> Dream in black and white - sheltered fools who have never fought in a war think all it is, is black & white. They do not understand just how convoluted war is.<br /> <br /> So I can leave this world tonight - plays on the ignorance of those sheltered fools. He is asking let me see this fight, this war, as simplistically as such people do so that the conscience is clear. <br /> <br /> The rest is as it is, war. Don't drag BB into your crap.
@ash1175443 I should know better than to even try to reply to a response like yours, but I'm feeling masochistic I guess. Call it the self-harming side of the war that is my BPD...<br /> <br /> I agree with @inthepretendworld that the song is about BPD. That said, it can also be about war, because I can tell you that the two have a lot of similarities. Try reading about it. It's a hell I wouldn't wish on anyone, just like i wouldn't wish being a soldier in a war on anyone given the toll I know it takes on those who serve. @inthepretendworld didn't "drag BB into (his) crap", BB put themselves there on purpose - whether they intended to use war as a metaphor for BPD or not.<br /> <br /> Real art is art that says just enough to leave it open to interpretation, and this song is a perfect example of doing just that - and doing it in a very smart way.
@ash1175443 Check out the text below from the article at "thenewfury.com/wordpress/revisited-breaking-benjamins-modern-rock-opus-phobia/".<br /> <br /> "The strongest part of Phobia, though, is that the non-single cuts are some of the best material Breaking Benjamin will ever release. Case in point? Mid-album cut “Evil Angel”, which is a heavier track but also contains a soaring, magnificent chorus, and the undisputed best track on the album, “Unknown Soldier” – whose depiction of a soldier caught in battle is an emotionally gripping one, to be sure. However, it’s also referencing (subtly, of course, since Breaking Benjamin lyrics tend to be open to interpretation) personality disorders like bipolar and especially borderline personality disorder. Songs like these truly resonate with the common listener – especially if they know someone who’s served in battle, or has battled these disorders themselves."
@jay1114106 - don't make me LAUGH. <br /> <br /> War and BPD are similar. You don't have the balls, or the spine for that matter, to have served in the reserves never mind anything resembling a battlefield. I on the other have served on a battlefield, just as my father did & his father did & his father did. Your father & grandfather were rather likely draft dodgers. <br /> <br /> As for the link you quoted do NOT be STUPID. Nothing of the like, about bipolar, etc., was mentioned when Unknown Soldier was first released. Or in any years since. <br /> <br /> That is written in 2018, a modern reference and likely in relation to the fact Ben has mentioned he has some issues. It's a pathetic gimmick made by some slack jawed writer to sell his shit article. Nothing more, nothing less.
@jay1114106 - don't make me LAUGH. <br /> <br /> War and BPD are similar. You don't have the balls, or the spine for that matter, to have served in the reserves never mind anything resembling a battlefield. I on the other have served on a battlefield, just as my father did & his father did & his father did. Your father & grandfather were rather likely draft dodgers. <br /> <br /> As for the link you quoted do NOT be STUPID. Nothing of the like, about bipolar, etc., was mentioned when Unknown Soldier was first released. Or in any years since. <br /> <br /> That is written in 2018, a modern reference and likely in relation to the fact Ben has mentioned he has some issues. It's a pathetic gimmick made by some slack jawed writer to sell his shit article. Nothing more, nothing less.
The first thing you hear in this song is a helicopter. This is a reference to a war zone. It doesn't matter where you are in a war zone, whether on the very front lines, or the back lines as a support person: If you are in the American Military, you will hear a helicopter. This sets the scene and makes clear what the song is about.
The first word is Borderline. Now we are differentiating between a person who is support, way behind the front lines, vs. an actual combat arms type, whose entire existence is on the borderline between Friendly Lines and Enemy Lines. Support people can relate to aspects of this song, but its really about and for a direct action, front lines, combat arms person who has been there.
The entire first verse explains the psychological adaptation of a Warfighter in combat. If you don't numb yourself, and you allow yourself to feel for that little girl and her dog dead on the side of the road, you will be distracted and not notice the guy popping out with an RPG - and you will die. Numbing yourself is a survival mechanism, reducing yourself to primal levels of decision making, silencing the higher order thought processes of questioning things. You have to psyche yourself up, amp up, get ready for combat, the enemy is on the way.
This is not who you are. You are a human being that is capable of thought, questioning, pondering, etc. - but for now, you cannot be that. You must dislocate yourself from that, simplify things. This isn't optional. Your survival, and the survival of your brother's next to you depends on you doing this. "Count me in" - you better be ready to charge, close with and destroy the enemy, or you're all going to die.
While this is a perfectly normal and useful response to a war zone environment, prolonged exposure to this makes this your new "normal," and you will not be a person who is properly adapted to a "normal" life back home. This is what PTSD is, and it's called a "sickness," so, by doing this in a war zone in combat, you are "feeding the sickness."
The chorus makes me cry every time.
Black and white is the absence of color. In black and white, there is no difference between blood and dirt. In black and white, hes not bleeding all over the place, its just mud. In black and white, there is no constant, nagging self-doubt asking, "Am I really doing the right thing? Even though that kid turned out NOT to have a grenade when he charged us, was I still justified in shooting him to death because I didn't know?" In black and white, seeing your friend in a dream could be just a field training exercise and he is taking a nap after some dirty work.
In color, there is blood everywhere, and he is clearly not sleeping. In color, there is no denying the horror around you. Show me what it's like to dream in black and white so that, tonight, for just a little while, I can be somewhere that isn't altering the fabric of my being into something terrible.
Also, black and white refers to old pictures and TV that used to not have color. Its a desire to see the world the way you used to, before you adapted to a war zone.
The second verse I can see a couple ways, but for me, it is the problem of coming home. Physically, we are back. You can see us, we might get a job and go to work, say, "Hi" to you in the hallway. Everything looks good. But the song is called Unknown Soldier. You see us, and may take us at face value because we look normal. But we aren't. What we are is unknown and unknowable to you. Every soldier that has successfully adapted appropriately to a combat environment is unknowable to someone who hasn't. Whether they come home or not, to those who haven't been there, they are Unknown Soldiers.
A civilian is fine, in their sheltered civilian never-seen-anything-bad-in-your-life rainbows and sunshine world where the worst thing likely to happen this week is someone will spoil the recent Game of Thrones episode when they talk about it at work. For us, we got left behind, and you will never understand what that means. Our "normal" got changed and who we were is left dead on the battlefield. Whether we physically survive combat or not, mentally and emotionally, life becomes climbing out of that hole. Trying to change our "normal" back from one that we needed to survive the battle field to one that doesn't freak out when a car back fires. One that doesn't have panic attacks over rock piles on the side of a road. But you don't get it, so never mind. You'll be fine, while I was left behind.
The chorus then fits again - let me dream in black and white, which bleaches this horror out and lets me ignore the color. Let me dream in black and white, a memory of a time before I gained this perspective.
I appreciate that everyone can hear their own meaning in songs, and like when artists leave things open for you to fill in. For those advancing the BPD position, I am glad you hear something you can identify with. I have no experience with BPD and so am having a lot of difficulty hearing this in the same way you are. I also don't understand how a helicopter intro relates to BPD or suicide or anything other than a war zone, but that may just be a failing of my imagination.
@Imrys <br /> The line “dead inside” could also be referring to PTSD/Shell Shock. Most likely the latter as PTSD usually comes after said trauma. <br /> But from how you wrote this, I feel like you have experience in said topic so you would already know that.
@Imrys I believe this is a dual meaning song, one depicting the life of a soldier as you have stated, the other, about BPD. The helicopter in the beginning depicts a possible warzone, however I would like to point out, how it relates to BPD, you only hear a lone helicopter. This can symbolize possibly “going in alone” which is a sort of feeling experienced within BPD. Also, another explanation is that another symptom of BPD is dissociation where you sort of have an out of body experience. While this is a stretch I would like you to imagine this and please keep your mind open to the possibility. Take a kid from the present times, playing war like video games, many of those types of games have helicopters to help depict war, possibly it could be a child with BPD putting himself into the shoes of a soldier character he plays. Again it is a stretch possibly but please consider it.<br /> <br /> Another thing I wish to point out, The title is “Unknown Soldier” While I absolutely love the meaning of the story of a soldier that you have depicted, in that one it’s about an actual soldier fighting a “real” war. Why would he be (personally, not his experiences as you described) unknown in the first place then? That is why I personally believe it eludes to BPD, a regular civilian is fighting his own personal battle against himself thus indistinguishable from the millions of regular civilians unless studied closely.<br /> <br /> “How do I, simplify? <br /> Dislocate, the enemies all the way”<br /> <br /> This is an important lyric as I believe it shows someone trying to explain EITHER, combat and a soldiers viewpoint of how they must become to survive it in war, OR, someone trying to explain BPD and what it makes the person do to these sort of “inner demons” they fight everyday.<br /> <br /> I am in no sense discrediting your translation of the song. Far from it! I believe it accurately describes one of the stories told within the lyrics. Ben has multiple songs that seem to have multiple stories interwoven into its lyrics. Hence why I believe he makes them so open instead of directly in your face like some other artists.<br /> <br /> <br /> Again. I love your lyric meaning!!!!!<br />
If you have Borderline Personality Disorder...
you can relate to this song. Very, very, well.
"Unknown Soldier"
Border line, Dead inside. I don't mind, Falling to pieces. Count me in, violent Let's begin, feeding the sickness. How do I simplify, Dislocate - the enemy's on the way.
Show me what it's like To dream in black and white, So I can leave this world tonight.
Full of fear, Ever clear. I'll be here, Fighting forever. Curious, Venomous, You'll find me Climbing to heaven. Never mind, Turn back time. You'll be fine - I will get left behind.
Show me what it's like To dream in black and white, So I can leave this world tonight.
Holding on too tight. Breathe the breath of life, So I can leave this world behind.
It only hurts just once. They're only broken bones. Hide the hate inside.
Oh.
So I can leave this world behind
Show me what it's like To dream in black and white, So I can leave this world tonight.
Holding on too tight. Breathe the breath of life, So I can leave this world behind. This song is about a war hero, who has fought for as long as he can remember. His whole world has been death, war, and killing. He is haunted by the things he has seen, his dreams are of people (his friends) and how some of them died, he wants to dream in black in white so the pain is dulled. He is so battle hardened, that he has forgotten how to not be a soldier, but he desperately wants to move on from the world of war that he lives in but is afraid that he can’t and thinks that he will be left behind. He also knows that he has done all he needs to do in combat and possibly in life, he thinks death would be better than having to live out his life the way it’s going.
This is a very powerful song. The lyrics allude to two themes- perception vs. reality and authenticity.
Perception vs. reality---
The first line says, "Borderline dead inside" I don't mind falling to pieces.
He may be talking about the gap between people at war vs. civilian life; what politicians feed us and what really goes on, the media vs reality, ect. He doesn't mind falling to pieces because he knows the world is full of smoke and mirrors blinding us from an ultimate truth which few decide to face– soldiers or warriors.
He then says, " count me in, violent, and feeding the sickness"
The next part is super important because it's the main chorus of the song.
Show me what it's like To dream in black and white, So I can leave this world tonight.
full of fear everclear I'll be here fighting forever curious venomous you'll find me climbing to heaven nevermind turn back time you'll be fine I will be left behind
The next part of the song talks about the reasons why this soldier has chose to face death. He is full of fear just like everyone else would be, yet he remains vigilant and strong because he wants his friends and family to be fine. He knows there is a chance nobody will remember his death because he'll be left behind, yet he chooses to fight. Ultimately, the soldier is at peace with himself because he has lived an honest and true life. He knows he will be climbing to heaven and is at peace with himself and decisions because he lived an authentic life.
Holding on too tight. Breathe the breath of life, So I can leave this world behind.
When the battle has arrived everyone is clinging to their lives. This would be a natural reaction to panic during battle and holding on tight to your life in uncertainty, yet the soldier must breath the breath of life and continue on no matter how scary reality is– all he can do is keep breathing and continue on. There are faces of sadness and happiness with his decision; on one hand he is free from his mind to leave this world behind, but it is tragically at the cost of life.
It only hurts just once. They're only broken bones. Hide the hate inside.
This is clearly about death. He recognizes it will be quick and will only have to deal with the pain once. He cleanses himself of all the hate because there is nothing left. He doesn't have time to waste hating because he has found some type of peace in his soul.
The last new line is " holding on to time"
This seems like an obvious plea to cherish what time we do have and make the best of it. Live life to the fullest and suck reality in.
I think the line<br /> Show me what it's like<br /> To dream in black and white,<br /> refers to how soldier's perspectives on things change. I realized early on when I went to war that the enemy is only my enemy. I am my enemy's enemy. I think hes "bad" and I'm "good", and he thinks the same from his perspective. I soon started to realize if two people can think the opposite thing is "good" then there really is no such thing as good or bad, black or white. Cut and dry distinctions don't exist. That extrapolates to everything in life and makes it much more depressing of a life.<br /> <br /> He has realized this same thing and wants to go back to the simpler perspective of things being either black or white, good or bad, righteous or evil.
I think its suppose to be violent, not violin. Could be wrong though.
LOL yeah you're right. I meant to write violent, must have had something else going on in my head
It's all good dude. It's hard to distinguish whether it is violent or violin, I just thought it was violent due to the context of the song.
This songs appears to be about suicide. The lines
"you'll find me climbing to heaven nevermind turn back time you'll be fine I will be left behind"
make me believe that this person has lost someone recently and is so depressed they are going to take their own lives in hope to see their friend (or whoever died) in heaven, but then they fear they will be left behind (and sent to hell) for their actions.
"show me what it's like to dream in black and white so I can leave this world tonight"
The person wants everything to become simplified so he can take his life easier without any worries about his actions (fear of hell, possibly regret for leaving friends/family behind?)
"It only hurts just once They're only broken bones Hide the hate inside"
If he's going to jump off a building this is self-explanitory, also, sometimes if you hang yourself your neck breaks as well.
This is what I got out of it anyway, what do I know ^_^ Sad song, but still good.
It's not about suicide dude. Look at the song title "Unknown Soldier", now think about he lyrics from the point of view of a soldier in war.<br /> "Violent, Let's begin" followed by "the enemies on the way". Some songs don't have a deeper meaning but are meant to be taken at face value. He wants life to be simplified so he can die in piece without having a troubled mind. This would also support your theory that he has lost someone very close. Probably his friends have died right in front of him. His problem appears to be that he does not anticipate living through the conflict as he says "You'll be fine, I'll be left behind." And dying only hurts just once but use a little critical thinking and my assumption is that his reference to broken bones means his greatest fear is being blown up by an IED. But I can't support that. <br /> Also, I am an infantry marine so I am not just pulling this out of my ass I do know a little about what I'm saying.
actually this song is about the unknows soldiers temple in washington it holds a soldier from every way whos name is unknown
this song is absolutely amazing. bens voice is great in this one. one of their best ever in my opinion.
completely agree. Ben's voice is ****ing amazing. I love how he can transition his vocal styling so smoothly in the middle of a song. <br /> <br /> <br /> My interpretation of the chorus is this:<br /> it's from the viewpoint of a soldier who has witnessed a lot of horrific things on his tour of duty<br /> "show me what it's like, to dream in black and white, so i can leave this world behind" sounds to me like he wants to know how he can view the world in such a detached way that the horrors of war or even daily life on the streets. Not sure about the rest of the song though.
wow left something out...<br /> <br /> ...so he can view the world in such a detached way that the horrors of war or even daily life on the streets don't affect him, mess with his head. Hell I see things on the news daily that depress me (hence why I'm giving up on the news) so that could be what he means by the chorus. Not sure about the rest of the song though