Breaking Benjamin: Unknown Soldier Meaning
Unknown Soldier Lyrics
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.
[Chorus:]
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and...
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1TOP RATED
#1 top rated interpretation:The way I see it, the song talks about just about any act of war or terrorism. (don't quote this directly) for example, as soldiers fight, bullets fly inches above their head, friends dying next to them, they think of how it was like before all the fighting. (show me what its like, to dream in black and white, so I can leave this world tonight)
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2TOP RATED
#2 top rated interpretation:First, it's nothing to do with trying to kill himself or trying to attain heaven. this song, without question, is simply about fighting in a war.
At the beginning, he is sent to war against his own personal desires ("dead inside") and resigns himself to following orders he doesn't agree with and possibly doesn't understand ("I don't mind...Count me in, violent...Let's begin, feeding the sickness"). regardless of his reservations, when the enemy approaches he pushes aside his personal feelings buckles down and fights for his life and those of his comrades("Dislocate - the enemy's on the way")
chorus talks about his view on the situation and how he does not comprehend why the enemy is so evil ("Show me what it's like to dream in black and white"). He wants to leave "this world" of conflict and apparent ignorance within himself so that he can focus on his orders and survival.
Next verse, he is in obvious fear of his life ("full of fear, ever clear") but will stand strong and do as he is ordered ("I'll be here, fighting forever"). However, in the midst of combat, he suffers a wound and has a sort of disbelief moment where he has to comprehend that he is about to die ("Curious, venomous, you'll find me climbing to heaven"). But, coming to his senses, he pushes aside the pain and continues to battle an advancing enemy while allowing his allies a chance to escape at the cost of his life ("nevermind, turn back time. You'll be fine - I will get left behind").
second chorus, He fights harder now than he ever has in his life, even though he is on the brink of death ("Holding on too tight. Breathe the breath of life"), because now he is fighting for a cause he actually understands and believes in (going back to leaving "this world" of conflict in his mind).
next verse, he has no more pain to fear now ("it only hurts just once"). the physical pain he feels is nothing compared to his newfound peace of mind. above all else, he reminds himself not to hate the enemy that has killed him because they are merely soldiers, like him, who are only following orders and pushing for a cause they don't quite understand ("Hide the hate inside")
the quiet voice, he begins to lose consciousness and the world around him fades. he has a sense of completion and knows that things will be alright ("I'll be fine")
final chorus, he suddenly regains consciousness and breathes life once more. hanging on by a thread, he struggles and wills himself to live (Holding on too tight. Breathe the breath of life"). Having found and, nearly, died to save his fellow soldiers, he now receives his well-deserved reprieve and leaves "this world" of blood and death behind.
result: the soldier gives his all, but his only reward is a medal and a hint of recognition. noone remembers his name, but that's not important to him. all that matters, now, is that he ended up fighting and sacrificing to save his comrades and is now leaving a place of fear and hatred.plus, he has earned a bit of peace of mind in the process. -
3TOP RATED
#3 top rated interpretation:I think the song is about a soldier going into war (Count me in, violent). But after he comes in, he wants to leave (So I can leave this world tonight). However, he is stuck, and he continues fighting (I'll be here, fighting forever). Then he tries to kill himself, (You'll fine me climbing to heaven). Then he decides against it and tries to turn back time. Then he holds on too tight to his friends who die, and he tries to keep them alive (Holding on too tight, breath the breath of life). Then he wants to know what its like to die (show me what its like to dream in black and white).
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This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
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"They're only broken bones" I think this person has felt a lot of pain during his life, so when he's dying, his reaction is like somewhat accepting. I think the song is about a soldier who has is brave but very jaded in life so he sacrifices himself. It's so sad.
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Personally I believe that this song, in some way, is about "The Rapture"(or something of the sort) and knowing that you aren't able to ascend with someone you know or love. Sure it seems kinda obvious with some of the lyrics(climbing to heaven/I'll be here/fighting forever/etc. etc.) so that makes you brush it aside, because obvious usually isn't true. But I truly believe this song is about a man who knows he's not a 'good' person, and knows he's not going to heaven, with his girlfriend I suppose. So I'll go over some of the more important ones.
"Count me in, violent" - This tells me that this somebody who isn't a good person by the social standards of... really ever.
"Full of fear. Ever clear. I'll be here fighting forever." - He knows that there is a high chance of him not being accepted into heaven, he knows he's not getting in, but he'll fight until he gets in, however long that takes.
"Breathe the breath of life, So I can leave this world behind." - pretty obvious but, if he does something good like help a sick person he'll get in easier.
"It only hurts just once. They're only broken bones. Hide the hate inside." Being not accepted into heaven, must really really hurt. He's probably talking to someone who's also fighting to get in, but is hurt. Going back to the earlier point after being hurt that badly must have caused some serious rage/hatred.
And finally, probably the most important point(to me):
"Show me what it's like to dream in black and white" - In this world we may appreciate a sympathetic villain or a hero with issues(the gray area) but the only thing that matters is the white area: the perfect, the holy, the "can do no wrong" we don't care if you had good intentions, what matters is the outcome, and the song(remember personally) is telling me that heaven works in a similar way; if you did something wrong...sucks! You're not getting in, no matter the intentions. You're staying behind as someone you love is being carried away without you. The man in the song knows this, the real him is in the gray, invisible to people who see things as purely right & wrong, they just see evil. I don't believe the man in the song is evil, just... maybe a shorter fuse than most an askew way of thinking, but for that he has to live a life of hell.
That was longer than I thought, but at least it makes sense right?... right?? -
After hearing this for the first time I did think it was about war, but knowing that Ben's songs are influenced by events in his life, I think it's most likely about fighting addictions or facing your fears.
The lyrics would fit perfectly with the scenario of a soldier sacrificing himself to save his comrades but they also could use this scenario as a metaphor for getting rid of a serious problem in your life to help yourself and your loved ones.
The lines "it only hurts just once/they're only broken bones" represent the short term pain the victim suffers but the final chorus represents the full recovery and the permanent loss of pain. there are also lines in the song that he is finally at peace, using heaven as a metaphor but the most solid evidence that this is about addiction or phobias is the title "Unknown Soldier", "Unknown" showing that he isn't a recognised soldier but is still fighting a very serious and dangerous battle. -
This song is most definitely about war and the difference between right and wrong.
In the first verse, this is very apparent.
(Border line,Dead inside.) He's saying that because of all he's done, there's nearly nothing left of him
(I don't mind,Falling to pieces.) But he almost doesn't really mind.
(Count me in, violent
Let's begin, feeding the sickness.) He enjoys "feeding the sickness [of war]"
(How do I simplify,
Dislocate - the enemy's on the way) He wants to simplify his feelings, seperate them from himself in order to better perform his duty.
The chorus is a little trickier.
(Show me what it's like, to dream in black and white.) He's talking about the belief some people hold that there is a stark contrast between good and evil, like black and white. And he wants to believe that too because he wants to know what hes doing is right.
(So I can leave this world tonight.) This one I'm having trouble explaining. I think its because of the previous line, knowing right and wrong are definitive categories will allow him to finish his duty and leave.
The second verse is easy to explain as well.
(Full of fear,
Ever clear.) He's talking about the clarity of a rush of adrenaline, usually caused by fear.
(I'll be here,
Fighting forever) Kind of Obvious.
(You'll find me
Climbing to heaven.) He's trying to claw his way up to heaven by fighting. Maybe he's talking about peace of mind or the comfort of knowing that what he's doing is right instead of the actual heaven.
(Never mind,
Turn back time.
You'll be fine - I will get left behind)He realizes that violence isn't the way, and he wishes that he could go back and have another try. I'm not sure what "you'll be fine" means but the last line I'm pretty sure means that he'll be left behind when everyone else, maybe his fellow comrades will be going to heaven, or maybe home. Perhaps as soldier he went beyond what he was ordered, and committed atrocities he can't forgive or forget.
(Holding on too tight.
Breathe the breath of life,
So I can leave this world behind.) His past sins are "holding on too tight" and they won't let go. He wants to be forgiven and released.
(It only hurts just once.
They're only broken bones.
Hide the hate inside.) This may be a stretch, but I'm thinking he may be talking about PTSD here. He's talking about how the wounds of war shouldn't be mental, only physical, and he wants to hide his mental state. By saying "It only hurts just once." He's trying to convince himself that what he's done and what's happened to him shouldn't come back to haunt him.
(So I can leave this world behind) I think the tone of this line gives it an entirely new meaning, which is why I'm putting it again. At this point he's just so sick of everything that he wants to just leave. Not anywhere specific, he just wants to be gone away. The pain is too much for him to continue the way he is.
And that is my lengthy interpretation of this gorgeous song. -
This song is most definitely about war and the difference between right and wrong.
In the first verse, this is very apparent.
(Border line,Dead inside.) He's saying that because of all he's done, there's nearly nothing left of him
(I don't mind,Falling to pieces.) But he almost doesn't really mind.
(Count me in, violent
Let's begin, feeding the sickness.) He enjoys "feeding the sickness [of war]"
(How do I simplify,
Dislocate - the enemy's on the way) He wants to simplify his feelings, seperate them from himself in order to better perform his duty.
The chorus is a little trickier.
(Show me what it's like, to dream in black and white.) He's talking about the belief some people hold that there is a stark contrast between good and evil, like black and white. And he wants to believe that too because he wants to know what hes doing is right.
(So I can leave this world tonight.) This one I'm having trouble explaining. I think its because of the previous line, knowing right and wrong are definitive categories will allow him to finish his duty and leave.
The second verse is easy to explain as well.
(Full of fear,
Ever clear.) He's talking about the clarity of a rush of adrenaline, usually caused by fear.
(I'll be here,
Fighting forever) Kind of Obvious.
(You'll find me
Climbing to heaven.) He's trying to claw his way up to heaven by fighting. Maybe he's talking about peace of mind or the comfort of knowing that what he's doing is right instead of the actual heaven.
(Never mind,
Turn back time.
You'll be fine - I will get left behind)He realizes that violence isn't the way, and he wishes that he could go back and have another try. I'm not sure what "you'll be fine" means but the last line I'm pretty sure means that he'll be left behind when everyone else, maybe his fellow comrades will be going to heaven, or maybe home. Perhaps as soldier he went beyond what he was ordered, and committed atrocities he can't forgive or forget.
(Holding on too tight.
Breathe the breath of life,
So I can leave this world behind.) His past sins are "holding on too tight" and they won't let go. He wants to be forgiven and released.
(It only hurts just once.
They're only broken bones.
Hide the hate inside.) This may be a stretch, but I'm thinking he may be talking about PTSD here. He's talking about how the wounds of war shouldn't be mental, only physical, and he wants to hide his mental state. By saying "It only hurts just once." He's trying to convince himself that what he's done and what's happened to him shouldn't come back to haunt him.
(So I can leave this world behind) I think the tone of this line gives it an entirely new meaning, which is why I'm putting it again. At this point he's just so sick of everything that he wants to just leave. Not anywhere specific, he just wants to be gone away. The pain is too much for him to continue the way he is.
And that is my lengthy interpretation of this gorgeous song. -
Hello all! I believe this is a song about someone's regret of going to war.
Unknown Solider: He won't die a martyr, he'll just be another unidentified corpse on the battle field.
Border line: He's crossing the border of the war torn country.
Dead inside: He's dead inside
I don't mind,
falling to pieces: No one made him go to war, he chose this.
Count me in, violent: He didn't even join to serve his country, but to kill "bad guys".
Let's begin, feeding the sickness: Sending more soldiers is prolonging the war, not ending it.
How do I simplify: He can't even begin to explain how disturbing war is.
Dislocate: Literally.
The enemy's on the way: Again, literally.
[Chorus:]
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and white: How to dream of a simple world with little factors, none of which are suffering or war.
So I can leave this world tonight: He want's to dream happy dreams, one's that take place in most peoples simple world.
Full of fear: He's extremely fearful.
Ever clear: He's not making any attempt to hide this fear.
I'll be here,
fighting forever: It doesn't seem like he'll ever go home.
Curious: Why he joined the army.
Venomous: This was a terrible decision.
You'll find me
climbing to heaven: He's trying to redeem himself(?).
Never mind,
turn back time: Pretend this never happened.
You'll be fine, I will get left behind: He'll die, but the other person living is the really important thing.
[Chorus]
Holding on too tight: To life(?).
Breathe the breath of life: Adrenaline.
So I can leave this world behind: So he can die in honor.
It only hurts just once: Dying.
They're only broken bones: Death doesn't matter to him any more.
Hide the hate inside: Hate of the world.
Oh!
[Very quiet voice:]
So I can leave this world behind.
[Chorus]
Holding on too tight.
Breathe the breath of life,
So I can leave this world behind. -
i totally agree with pov number 2 Breaking Benjamin made their songs in a way where the listener can relate it to themselves but still have the same end result in this case Being an "unknown soldier" meaning you are going through your own personal battle and no one but you knows. Then you can relate any struggle you have with the song. This is a artists true goal to get people to relate a song to their own lives so they feel the passion in the song.
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I think it's a song about master chief. So similar to what the top rated comment is but not Benjamin himself or just a random soldier but in the eyes of master chief. The song suits what happened to him perfectly. Plus the Unknown soldier could refer to master chief again since he is unknown to all his fans (he has no face)
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i think what he means by to dream in black and white is that he is dieing then he suddenley feels that he needs to save his allies and when he does die he is crawling up to heaven and all he can see is black and white sorry if this isint helpful but it might be right
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The title makes me think of The Tomb of the Unkown Soldier, a grave that represents all the nameless soldiers that died in World War II. I think that's what the song is about too. It just looks at one of hundreds of thousands of men who died for a cause that they didn't really believe in.
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Man this song is so deep… And breaks me down a soon as I hear it.
My PERSONAL interpretation and what it does for me:
A year and a half ago I lost the most important person in my life, my grandmother, in a struggle to diabetes. My grandmother had fought diabetes for as long as I have been alive. It was nothing for her to end up in ICU multiple times a year on the brink of death. Every time she would fight through it and would end up coming home, and life would go on as planned. This was a recurring theme throughout my childhood and I quickly became numb to her going to the hospital. Life always carried on as usual and I was never scared of her sickness because she had so much fight, a True Soldier who could battle through anything. Fearless and strong. “Fighting Forever”
The last couple years before she passed, her body failed rapidly.
Holding on too tight.
Breathe the breath of life,
So I can leave this world behind.
She underwent numerous amputations, due to her loss of circulation. Unfortunately, in the last conversations I had with her I knew she was tired of fighting. Her disease was overbearing , battling it her whole life she had lost the will to fight. “It only hurts just once”.
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and white,
So I can leave this world tonight.
She was ready to leave the world that was so painful for her and go to place where she could finally be at peace.
You'll find me
Climbing to heaven.
Never mind,
Turn back time.
You'll be fine - I will get left behind.
To me these lyrics describe that climb to heaven, crossing over and finally being free from the physical pain. She is truly my Unknown Soldier. Only the ones close to her will know what kind of fight she put up and the things she had to endure until the end. She didn’t receive any big ceremony or recognition. But her will to live was as strong as anyone’s.
Sorry, I didn’t feel much need to break down the lyrics - #1 ronin does an excellent job… -
I think this song is definitely about war. However, I think that saying it's about specifically a solider in a war or thinking back on his/her time on the battlefield or referencing 'Revelation' is too far inside the box for Breaking Benjamin. All of their songs are metaphorical, written from experience of an event or emotion. They write in such a human way that anyone can relate their present or past circumstances to the lyrics of each song. "Show me what it's like To dream in black and white,
So I can leave this world tonight." Psychologists say that dreaming in black and white shows a denial or avoidance of an issue. I think the lyric is simply asking for a temporary relief from the battle being fought; a holiday from the world one is living in. I think this song was meant to represent the wars that are waged by us all and we are the unknown soldiers fighting for whatever redemption lies ahead of us. Whether it is actual "war," spiritual war, a warring against oneself, a failing relationship, a family falling apart, a suicide attempt, substance abuse, domestic abuse... it's not really for anyone to say in a definitive way. I see it as merely how you can relate to the words being spoken. It is art to be interpreted by the listener at that particular time. -
When I listen to this song, I get the image of a man who has lost his family, or significant people in his life, thus fights in war because he wishes to die, but in a noble way. He has nothing left to lose. "I dont mind, falling to pieces" "violent, dead inside" in the first verse he has no purpose in life anymore, and chooses just to fight subconsiously, although he is unprepared for what war is like. As the second verse progresses, it begins to seem hopeless. They are hopelessly outnumbered. He is scared in the second verse, though braves it out still fighting. He is then injured, but instead of dying like he initially wanted, he keeps on living, like it shows in the change of the chorus "holding on too tight, breathe the breath of life" Although he is injured, he says "nevermind, turnback time" which means he is going against dying immediately and "you'll be fine, i will get left behind" refers to him sacrificing himself, in order to save his men, and give them time to retreat. the turnback time, means that it is time to retreat, because they will lose no matter what. As he is dying, he says "it only hurts just once" which is refering to the fact that he is welcoming death after he saves his men. Finally, he makes his final stand, which gives his men the time they needed to retreat, and gets brutally killed in the process.
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The line feeding the sickness could mean a soldier fighting in a war and just spreading the problem of war.
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