To me, with the knowledge of the song and the video, I would say that this song is more relational than personal. I heard somewhere that it was about the writer's girlfriend deciding to get an abortion. That does fit in with all the lyrics and the video. When he says "Send away for a priceless gift." He could be talking about a child, sent away for (being made through intercourse). "One not subtle, one not on the list."
This child won't be a subtlety to their normal lifestyles, and it wasn't planned it was accidental. "Send away for a perfect world, one not simply so absurd." Here comes the idea or concept of abortion. In a perfect world that wouldn't be necessary, abortion in his eyes may be absurd. "In these times of doing what you're told, you keep these feelings no one knows." He doesn't object because it's his girlfriend's "choice" her "right" so he does what he is told must be done but inside he disagrees he feels as though he is ending a life. " Whatever happened to the young man's heart, swallowed by pain as he slowly fell apart. And I'm starring down the barrel of a 45, swimming through the ashes of another life, no real reason to accept the way things have changed staring down the barrel of a 45!
"With these decisions he recognizes his role as a man, his possible role as a father. Whatever happened to the young man's heart. He lost it to this decision or indecision(pain) which swallowed it and now leaves it fallen apart, lacking. "Staring down the barrel of a 45" Here is his indecision which I see represented in the 45.. Swimming through the ashes of the life of his unborn child, aborted. No real reason to accept that this life has been ended, still faced with indecision. "Send a message to the unborn child, keep your eyes open for awhile." I think he is expressing anger, in a fit of rage saying you'll only have awhile to keep your eyes open. "In a box high up on a shelf, left for you, no one else, there's a peice of a puzzle known as life, wrapped in guilt sealed up tight." Here he could be seeking comfort in the fact that the child's life would have been painful. *repeat chorus* "Everyone's pointing their fingers, always condemning me. Well, nobody knows what I believe. I believe. and i'm staring down the barrel of a 45, swimming through the ashes of another life, no real reason to accpept the way things have changed staring down the barrel of a 45!"
"everyone's pointing their fingers, always condemning me." People frown upon him getting his girlfriend pregnant or her having an abortion. "well nobody knows what I believe. I believe." he has kept his disagreement with her decision secret as stated earlier. (in the video it would appear that he states what he believes to her and she gets mad at him) he goes through staring down the indecision (45) again.
This is just what I get from the song and refelct on everytime I listen to it. Shinedown is one of the most kick ass bands out there and they never cease to amaze me with their talent. they keep it real and even if my interpretation of this song isn't even close to theirs, they still have my respect.
