Stinkfist

Now we move on to Tool’s second full length album: Aenima. And the first song: Stinkfist. The opening riff of this song and this album is just awesome. Maynard usually gets into a kind of backward to forward swaying high leg stomp that looks really cool. It just sounds so powerful. I think they have played it at every show I’ve been to.

“Stinkfist” appears to be simply about what the title suggests. You can go through the whole song and see it as a guy sticking his hand up someone’s ass. That doesn’t particularly interest me much, so I prefer to think Maynard is using it as a metaphor. He has this cool change in his tone from calm disinterest to this intense needy anger. He brings across so much emotion with his tone and change in tone throughout his music and especially on this album.

This song also has one of my favorite lines: “I just need it. To breathe, to feel, to know I’m alive.” I have a great appreciation for really strong emotional responses from myself. Whether it is something really horrible or really good, I think I can step back and appreciate the fact that it is happening. I don’t really know how to describe it. It happens less and less often now, but it is something a Tool show has always been able to bring out of me. Drugs are good too. Most of the time things are boring and I feel little. And maybe it would take a hand going up my ass to make me feel something.

Something has to change.
Un-deniable dilemma.
Boredom's not a burden
Anyone should bear.

Constant over stimulation numbs me
but I would not want you any other way

It's not enough.
I need more.
Nothing seems to satisfy.
I don't want it.
I just need it.
To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Finger deep within the borderline.
Show me that you love me and that we belong together.
Relax, turn around and take my hand.

I can help you change
Tired moments into pleasure.
Say the word and we'll be
Well upon our way.

Blend and balance
Pain and comfort
Deep within you
Till you will not want me any other way.

It's not enough.
I need more.
Nothing seems to satisfy.
I don't want it.
I just need it.
To feel, to breathe, to know I'm alive.

Knuckle deep inside the borderline.
This may hurt a little but it's something you'll get used to.
Relax. Slip away.

Something kinda sad about
the way that things have come to be.
Desensitized to everything.
What became of subtlety?

How can this mean anything to me
If I really don't feel anything at all?

I'll keep digging till
I feel something.

Elbow deep inside the borderline.
Show me that you love me and that we belong together.
Shoulder deep within the borderline.
Relax. Turn around and take my hand.