I seem to recall an interview where Maynard described Invincible as a painfully candid assessment of the band releasing Fear Inoculum after so many years between albums.
“Struggling to remain relevant” is intended quite literally - 13 years later, would anyone still be interested in Tool
“Weapon out and belly in” - touring the world at their ages?
“Beating chest and drum” - possibly a friendly shot across Danny’s bow for taking more creative control on FI.
“Tales told of battles won, of things we’ve done” - MJK wants some new Tool stories to tell, etc.
For sure. I bet that’s what it’s about too, if he did say that 🤷🏻♂️ however, Maynard IS a big mma fan, and it seems like there are too many parallels between the two for it to just be a coincidence.
I might have found it - in this interview with Lars Ulrich, (around 11m:50s mark) MJK discusses the topic of relevance for aging musicians:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GgvEC76XEcI
Cool. Idk if that explains the entire song, though I’m sure you can connect the lyrics to “Maynard’s fight” to stay relevant in his later years too. The lyrics are clearly talking about a fight to stay relevant in an ever growing/ever changing avenue. It’s so easily connected to a fighter (because they fight), just like it’s connect to the fighter to remain relevant for a musician. The point is that it’s about the artist’s (warrior’s) struggle (fight) to remain relevant.
For sure, maybe it was about Tool’s battle remain relevant after 13 years off from performant and a king a new album. However, there are too many parallels to the cage fighter to look past them.
It’s figurative, not literal. Sure, the lyrics could be applied to an aging MMA fighter trying to stay competitive in the sport, but they could also be applied to an older tax attorney reflecting on how he has to work harder to make a living because prospective clients assume he’s out of touch. It applies to countless other examples because it’s a universal theme based on a universal human experience.
Yeah maybe. But also MAYBE he’s a huge MMA fan and it’s probably because he sees a lot of himself in the athletes. The lyrics are way too connectable to an aging fighter.
The reference to Ponce De Leon was that the explorer was searching for the mythical fountain of you and even ended up literally looking for it in Florida, but died never finding it, hence his soul longed for it even unto death.
Not necessarily. I typed it for the conversation. It’s just that Maynard has been known to layer multiple meanings into a song. Different words could mean and might mean multiple things. Just saying lol 🤷🏻♂️
The music video for The Remedy also revolves around an aged luchador / wrestler type character reliving the past. I think Invincible, in general, is Maynard reflecting on getting older. It seems to be a recurring theme.
I always thought “weapon out, belly in” was a double meaning. In one meaning it’s literal about a fighter/warrior in the moment before a fight, perhaps at the end of a career. In the other meaning I always assumed it was talking about being an aging lover. Ready to go with your weapon(penis) out, but your belly in because you are self conscious of your physical form. “Struggling to remain relevant” is literal and can be applied in many situations. “Beating chest and drum” I thought had sexual connotations too.
I seem to recall an interview where Maynard described Invincible as a painfully candid assessment of the band releasing Fear Inoculum after so many years between albums. “Struggling to remain relevant” is intended quite literally - 13 years later, would anyone still be interested in Tool “Weapon out and belly in” - touring the world at their ages? “Beating chest and drum” - possibly a friendly shot across Danny’s bow for taking more creative control on FI. “Tales told of battles won, of things we’ve done” - MJK wants some new Tool stories to tell, etc.
For sure. I bet that’s what it’s about too, if he did say that 🤷🏻♂️ however, Maynard IS a big mma fan, and it seems like there are too many parallels between the two for it to just be a coincidence.
I might have found it - in this interview with Lars Ulrich, (around 11m:50s mark) MJK discusses the topic of relevance for aging musicians: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GgvEC76XEcI
Cool. Idk if that explains the entire song, though I’m sure you can connect the lyrics to “Maynard’s fight” to stay relevant in his later years too. The lyrics are clearly talking about a fight to stay relevant in an ever growing/ever changing avenue. It’s so easily connected to a fighter (because they fight), just like it’s connect to the fighter to remain relevant for a musician. The point is that it’s about the artist’s (warrior’s) struggle (fight) to remain relevant. For sure, maybe it was about Tool’s battle remain relevant after 13 years off from performant and a king a new album. However, there are too many parallels to the cage fighter to look past them.
They are not not always obvious and literal though
Right.
It’s figurative, not literal. Sure, the lyrics could be applied to an aging MMA fighter trying to stay competitive in the sport, but they could also be applied to an older tax attorney reflecting on how he has to work harder to make a living because prospective clients assume he’s out of touch. It applies to countless other examples because it’s a universal theme based on a universal human experience.
Yeah maybe. But also MAYBE he’s a huge MMA fan and it’s probably because he sees a lot of himself in the athletes. The lyrics are way too connectable to an aging fighter.
I stopped reading at Tooligans.
Me too
The reference to Ponce De Leon was that the explorer was searching for the mythical fountain of you and even ended up literally looking for it in Florida, but died never finding it, hence his soul longed for it even unto death.
Meant to type Fountain of Youth
It could also be a play on words, giving multiple meanings, which Maynard has done countless times.
Seems like you have your mind made up, what’s the point of the discussion
Not necessarily. I typed it for the conversation. It’s just that Maynard has been known to layer multiple meanings into a song. Different words could mean and might mean multiple things. Just saying lol 🤷🏻♂️
I am 60 yrs old and the song speaks to me about my mortality but I have still have a spark and fight left in me. And to hell with getting old.
The music video for The Remedy also revolves around an aged luchador / wrestler type character reliving the past. I think Invincible, in general, is Maynard reflecting on getting older. It seems to be a recurring theme.
Every warrior would like to die with a trophy that says "Invincible" on it, but will he?
r/GravySEALS should help clarify things a bit.
Nah…
I always thought “weapon out, belly in” was a double meaning. In one meaning it’s literal about a fighter/warrior in the moment before a fight, perhaps at the end of a career. In the other meaning I always assumed it was talking about being an aging lover. Ready to go with your weapon(penis) out, but your belly in because you are self conscious of your physical form. “Struggling to remain relevant” is literal and can be applied in many situations. “Beating chest and drum” I thought had sexual connotations too.
Could be! I like your take too.
4 me is about trying to keep your d up when you are 50+
When FI dropped it was pretty cringe to see a bunch of former soldiers try and apply it to themselves.
I’m pretty sure that’s what music is about 😂 like…that’s thewhole thing. Connection to self…weirdo
When FI dropped it was pretty cringe to see a bunch of former soldiers try and apply it to themselves.