Meaning of "Sin" by Stone Temple Pilots

"Sin" delves into the tumultuous battle with addiction and the consequences it brings to the individual. The repetition of "down you go, suffer long" and "sin make me strong" reflects the cyclical nature of addiction, where the protagonist acknowledges the downward spiral they are trapped in but also recognizes the temporary empowerment it brings. The lyrics imply a dependence on substances to numb the pain and escape from reality, as shown through the references to holywater clouding their thinking and the constant need to keep drinking. The line "you control me, soul you stole, mine" emphasizes the loss of autonomy and the acknowledgment that addiction has taken hold of the protagonist's soul.

The metaphor of sinking and being buried alive symbolizes the suffocating grasp of addiction, with the repeated reference to sinking reinforcing the sense of powerlessness and despair. The mention of the holes in the protagonist's eyes signifies the guilt and shame they feel due to their actions fueled by sin. The lyrics suggest that the weight of their sins has blinded them, causing them to lose sight of the path to redemption. The line "dead by dreaming, sleep you steal, mine" describes the loss of dreams and the theft of sleep due to the all-consuming nature of addiction.

The final lines, "still shackled to the shadow, that followed you," convey the persistent hold of addiction even when one is seemingly free. It implies that the consequences of the protagonist's actions will continue to haunt them, with the shadow serving as a constant reminder of their past mistakes. The repetition of being shackled further emphasizes the struggle to break free from the chains of addiction.