On the Backs of Angels lyrics (now with poll to guess lyricist)

[ReaPsTA]

OK, perhaps another book JLB may have read, similar to prophets Of War.

Maybe, but I like these lyrics better.  More imagery/emotion.

[Aniland]

Really? How?

[RaiseTheKnife]

So yeah, what is this song about, guys? Economic collapse? If so, I could deal with that, but I was hoping for more uplifting lyrics based on the title and it being the first song in a new chapter of DT's history.

Standing on the Backs of Angels RRROOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!!

[TAC]

Really? How?

I was asking because ED mentioned other context. I'm not sure what the hell the lyrics are about, other than it gives off an us aginst "him" or "them" type of feel.

To me, I feel that you could easily string the context as to what has happened to the band last fall.

[Kosmo]

JP or JLB.

[dongringo]

So yeah, what is this song about, guys? Economic collapse? If so, I could deal with that, but I was hoping for more uplifting lyrics based on the title and it being the first song in a new chapter of DT's history.

Standing on the Backs of Angels RRROOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!!

Standing On the Backs of Angels AAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!

[ThatGuitarGuy]

I can see the economic bent to it.

It definitely sounds like JLB to me.  He writes about water too freaking much.

[Jaq]

Feels like a LaBrie lyric to me, but the urge to vote for Kevin Moore was right there.  

[FsF]

As soon as  heard "The new American dream" I thought it must be LaBrie.

[robwebster]

Incidentally, if this is about the economic collapse, he's expressed it absolutely gorgeously. Compare it to, say, Muse's Uprising.

[Ħ]

Couple fixes (in caps):

Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight

We spiral toward disaster
Survival fading faster

Riding out the wave
Content to FEED ON the machine
Leading us to death
The new American dream

You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Blurring lines drawn in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims on the radar
STRINGING us along

We're onto your agenda
The dead end road to nowhere

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

[solo]

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

[bertoltus]

Couple fixes (in caps):

Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight

We spiral toward disaster
Survival fading faster

Riding out the wave
Content to feed on the machine
BLEEDING us to death
The new American dream

You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Blurring lines drawn in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims on the radar
Stringing us along

We're onto your agenda
The dead end road to nowhere

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

[solo]

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

I think it's actually "bleeding". This also fits better if this is actually about the economic crisis.

[Tyrant21]

I really don't think so.  It seems to evoke a broader context with lines about the American dream and such.  I think it's more about military and political leaders using those below them as a means to self-advancement while watching society crumble around them.
[/quote]

I was ready to agree with you 100% man.  It all kind of adds up.  The "leading us to death, the new American dream" line really sounds like an explanation of how things have changed since the start of the current war.  So many people now in the U.S. seem very eager to enlist and go fight.  But then there's always that story on the news every other night about yet another been killed while fighting for their country.  With all of the recognition, award ceremonies, and memorials.  One could say to fight, die and have the bravery, service and sacrifice that you made for your country celebrated, is sort of the new American dream.  However, when I read the TAC's comment,

To me, I feel that you could easily string the context as to what has happened to the band last fall.
[/quote]

I started feeling that as weird as it may seem.  This could quite possibly be what this tune is about.  It sort of makes sense.  And considering that for the most part all of the guys in DT have been very tight lipped about the Portnoy situation, maybe this is a way that they can sort of express exactly how they feel.  I'm probably wrong though because I can't see the guys in DT referring to themselves as "Heroes" in a song.  Not to mention I don't think anyone can say that Mike was "carried" by the rest of the band.  The man is still and has always been quite talented.

Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight

[olliemedsy]

I seriously think it was Chris Collins who wrote the lyrics

[emindead]

Lyrics are too angry to be JP.  JM has never written anything like this.  Has to be JLB.

I agree. Any chance these lyrics are pointed towards MP?

I really don't think so.  It seems to evoke a broader context with lines about the American dream and such.  I think it's more about military and political leaders using those below them as a means to self-advancement while watching society crumble around them.

OK, perhaps another book JLB may have read, similar to prophets Of War.

Probably. But it seems like it.

[Heaven Outcry Angel]

only Labrie has the political ideas for this.... so, him

[Mladen]

Sounds like James to me. 

[Jamesman42]

Instantly thought it was JLB, though now I could see JP writing this as well. Voted JLB

[Heaven Outcry Angel]

I dont think I appreciate DTs views on America.... but its still a amazing song so I can forgive them

[dongringo]

"You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered"

I don't know exactly what the song is about yet obviously, but when I read these lyrics I immediately think of what my friends in other countries around the world believe. That America's hunger for oil/materialism/consumerism/etc. will eventually do us in. This is just what I think when hearing this song and it seems like a very realistic view to me.

[njdtfan]

JLB, hands down.

[emindead]

So yeah, what is this song about, guys? Economic collapse? If so, I could deal with that, but I was hoping for more uplifting lyrics based on the title and it being the first song in a new chapter of DT's history.

Standing on the Backs of Angels RRROOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!!

Standing On the Backs of Angels AAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Standing On the Backs of Angels RAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWKKKKK!!!!!!!!!

[Sixtease]

Thanks for posting these Aniland. 

[VioletS16]

I voted James. The way the lyrics fit, it makes sense, as well as these other 2 giveaways:

1) The man is obsessed with water
2) He always has some angst towards society--especially American society.

We know it's you, James 

[Sixtease]

Obsessed with water? Interesting remark. I never thought about this, and would be interested in some elaboration why you think so. It brings The Way It Used to Be to my mind though...

Bring me from the water
too cold to swim...
Bring me from the water
that I see within

[Zydar]

"Carry me to the shoreline"

Oh wait, that's JP.

[wolfking]

Sounds like JLB to me.

[VioletS16]

Obsessed with water? Interesting remark. I never thought about this, and would be interested in some elaboration why you think so. It brings The Way It Used to Be to my mind though...

Bring me from the water
too cold to swim...
Bring me from the water
that I see within

Well, I guess he isn't "obsessed" with it per se (I am the EPITOME of hyperbole!) but he seems to talk about it quite a bit.

[sv_godspeed]

its James, for sure...

[Aniland]

Why hasn't a FB friend of James asked him yet?

[theliloutkast]

Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight

We spiral toward disaster
Survival fading faster

Riding out the wave
Content to feeding the machine (I heard "content to feed off the machine")
Leading us to death
The new American dream

You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless (I really hear the word "lost" in here but I can't for the life of me figure how it would fit) are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Blurring lines drawn in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims on the radar
Straining us along

We're onto your agenda
The dead end road to nowhere

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless (again with the "lost" thing. Perhaps selfless is actually "so lost"?) are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

[solo]

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless (maybe "self lost" I don't know! Selfless doesn't fit right to me) are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

I put my corrections next to the lines I heard different. Just a little more input for the discussion. Also, this very much so sounds like JLB. I also feel like the song is about the current crisis in America with the economy in the shape it is, our wars, etc.

[TheGreatPretender]

Actually, when it comes to the lyrics, I'm pretty sure it's, "Zealous are the righteous," not "Selfless". I thought it was Selfless at first too, but after listening to it over and over, I'm just not hearing that 'f' in there.

[theliloutkast]

Zealous! That's it! I couldn't quite nail it, I just knew selfless sounded wrong.

[darkshot]

Yeah I believe its supposed to read "content to feed off the machine"

[ariich]

I can't see it being anyone but Labrie. The approach the lyricists seem to take to anything political in their lyrics is:

JM: "I have no opinion, or if I do then I'm going to be completely abstract about it"
JP: "I have opinions but they're quite neutral. Let's have a look at both sides of the argument"
JLB: "Politicians, you're all dicks"

So yeah, it has to be JLB.