Meaning of "The Same Asylum As Before" by Steven Wilson

The lyrics of "The Same Asylum As Before" convey a sense of frustration and disillusionment with societal norms and expectations. The opening lines, "Are you proud of all your failures? Are you dragging mother nature down?" suggest a criticism of the destructive impact of human actions on the environment. The line "You believe you have dominion, so you force your lame opinions on me" reflects the idea that individuals often impose their beliefs and opinions on others without considering their perspectives. The repeated phrase "And my eggshell mind" serves as a metaphor for the delicate and vulnerable nature of one's thoughts and beliefs.

The chorus, "Wake it up to see through you, we'll all disappear in the same asylum as before, make it up you always do, it's tough to live here in the same asylum as before," highlights the struggle to break free from societal expectations and maintain individuality. The notion of "seeing through" implies a desire to understand and reject the influence of others, while the reference to "disappearing" suggests a loss of one's true self in the process. The line "make it up you always do" implies that individuals often fabricate or conform to societal expectations to fit in, rather than expressing their genuine thoughts and feelings.

The repetition of the phrase "the same asylum as before" throughout the song emphasizes the cyclical nature of societal pressures and the difficulty of escaping them. It suggests that despite efforts to challenge the status quo, individuals often find themselves trapped in the same patterns and expectations. The song appears to criticize the idea of representing the people without acknowledging their individual autonomy and free will, as indicated by the line "but you don't believe in free will for me."

Overall, "The Same Asylum As Before" portrays a sense of frustration towards societal conformity and the struggle to maintain authenticity in a world that often stifles individuality. It raises questions about the impact of external influences on personal beliefs and the challenge of asserting one's own identity.