What is that Tool song "prison sex" about? Does anyone know?

Question

Their lyrics are always so cryptic.

Answer 1

At least in its most upfront interpretation, this is about child abuse. In early interviews, lead singer Maynard James Keenan apparently was quite vocal about his dislike for his stepfather, and the video supports this theory quite well. However, the autobiographical nature of this song is purely speculative.
When discussing the release of "Prison Sex" as a single, drummer Danny Carey had this to say: "It will annoy a lot of people ... which is half the fun."
This song is definitely about abuse, but not only from the perspective of the victim. Throughout the piece the lyrics change from the frightening realization of what is happening to the individual to the insatiable appetite to force the same on another. It is about the cyclical nature of abuse and the reason that certain learned behaviors are perpetuated

Answer 2

I agree with the whole 'abuse by stepfather' theory. And yes, it does switch perspectives (or something like that) as far as I can tell.

'It took so long to remember just what happened.
I was so young and vestal then,
you know it hurt me,
but I'm breathing so I guess I'm still alive
even if signs seem to tell me otherwise.'

'I've got my hands bound,
my head down, my eyes closed,
and my throat wide open.'

to

'You're breathing so I guess you're still alive
even if signs seem to tell me otherwise.
Won't you come just a bit closer,
close enough so I can smell you.


'Got your hands bound, your head down,
your eyes closed.
You look so precious now.'



If you need further clarification, watch the video. It's disturbing.

But, then again, Tool lyrics are always open for debate. Only Maynard knows what they truly mean.

Answer 3

while i replace into locked up interior the county detention center 19 years in the past, between the homey's discovered a thank you to climb over the indoors wall, around the ceiling and into the female area of the detention center. while all of us went to court docket, they referred to as Leroy as much as the choose and he released him. Leroy reported "immediately? Your honor, I aint executed in there yet!" They held him for contempt and he could not have been happier.

Answer 4

by just reading the lyrics it seems to be of sexual abuse.. getting abused and then passing the abuse on..

pretty heavy (expected of a tool song)

Answer 5

The only sort of prison sex there is would be two men ramming it up each other.

Answer 6

It is be's about that there sexual abuse to a lil one and it be dramatic cuz it wood be ya know i say yeah.