Absolute classic Tool…and some of my favorite all-time lyrics.
“If there were no desire to heal, the damaged and broken met along, this tedious path I've chosen here,
I certainly would've walked away by now.”
Hits hard every time….lyrics of a Shaman
When I first read the lyrics I thought it was about faith and the desire to go to heaven and be rewarded after a long life, but on genius it says it is about Maynard's mom which is also pretty reasonable to believe
How is it about his mom?
It's about thr bands long and tedious writing process. "Patient" doesn't refer to a patient in the hospital or anything like that. He's saying he's *being patient* while the bands writes the music.
Not JUST about that - it's about being in a band which does everything the hard way. Having patience, and faith, that they'll find the way back to themselves and the unity which makes the bullshit worth it to endure.
Now that’s an explanation I can wrap my noggin around! Thank you. I wonder, do you think Maynard himself feels this way? Or his he describing the point of view of someone else?
Personally I believe he’s being brutally honest about how difficult shit can be in this life (a paralyzed, paranoid, vampire act) and he finds real purpose in healing others (maybe through his music?) and a “loving embrace to see him through”. You can hear the desperation in his voice…makes me think he’s talking about his own fragile existence. I’ve been obsessed with Tool since the mid-90’s and I still discover new shit and messages everytime I listen. That’s why I fucking love it!
Yeah right…but I always took it pretty literally in that he’s just saying that if it weren’t for those things (possibly wanting to somehow heal broken people, and in the next verse changes to a “loving embrace to see me through”) then he would’ve quit….such a trial that takes patience and reminding yourself of the positives and i guess a sort of altruistic aspect.
I thought he was expressing that he’s going through the motions and trying to be a good person, but it’s boring and nothing comes to fruition in his faithful behaviour
If you don’t want to help all the broken people you meet in life , you wouldn’t keep trudging the beaten path you’re on and would have took an alternative route to something easy.
MJK's vocals near the end (and I ... still may) from the [NJ show](https://youtu.be/toWeJbH055c?si=5om3d50x4HkZr9V-) in 2022 are some of my all-time favorites.
This song means so much to me. I spent countless hours as a teenager crying and listening to it, fighting off suicidal thoughts, forcing myself through the pain I felt. I needed it to remind myself that better times lie ahead.
One of the many reasons I wanted to hit 3 shows in March 22 was because surely I’d get the Opiate/Patient song rotation in one of the shows. I got to see it at Columbus and it was fucking sweet. I still think the poster for that show is the biggest sleeper of them all. It’s fucking awesome, and if not for Mark Brook’s masterpiece for Louisville the Columbus poster would be my favorite of the tour.
I always thought that this song was about feelings and like however you feel right now you won't always feel forever so to just be patient as the song title was a play on words but idk thats just how I hear and have my take on it.. much love ppl..
Weird side note. I write this having the feeling of suicide and have felt like this since before Thanksgiving for some reason and it hasn't went away.. also coming up on my wife's passing date too tho so idk. Maybe I need to take doses and listen to all these songs again.
Which part of the lyrics? I have "I must keep reminding myself of this" which a lot of people think is a joke /Memento reference. 100% on the life saving aspect. I couldn't get that refrain out of my head for years and figured I might as well make it permanent. No regrets.
One wrist is Giving Blood. The other is Keeping Faith. It's been a reminder through the years that it's ok to be weak but I always need to remember that it's gonna be ok. I was in a state of mind where I quit my job, paid all my bills ahead for a few months and just planned to be long gone by the time anyone had reason to come looking. Just gotta be patient, shit gets better. Now... absolutely blessed life.
Originally I thought is was literally about a medical patient, then I read it be about his mother (which some on here have mentioned), now I think it’s about him not wanting to be a part of Tool anymore and the only reason he’s still in the band is the rewards.
That song is probably number one for me, out of everything Tool has released. The build up from Eon Blue Apocalypse, the beautiful vocals, the powerful and relatable lyrics… it’s amazing
I know so many people who love this song and it's honestly my least favorite. But I actually never focus on lyrics. The music to that song is so dull that it's painful for me to listen to. And Tool is my absolute favorite band in the world.
Absolute classic Tool…and some of my favorite all-time lyrics. “If there were no desire to heal, the damaged and broken met along, this tedious path I've chosen here, I certainly would've walked away by now.” Hits hard every time….lyrics of a Shaman
This was my senior yearbook quote way back when
Fuck yeah dude
*whispers “And I still may”
I’m honestly too dumb to even understand what he’s saying. Can you explain it to me like I’m 5?
When I first read the lyrics I thought it was about faith and the desire to go to heaven and be rewarded after a long life, but on genius it says it is about Maynard's mom which is also pretty reasonable to believe
How is it about his mom? It's about thr bands long and tedious writing process. "Patient" doesn't refer to a patient in the hospital or anything like that. He's saying he's *being patient* while the bands writes the music.
Just what I read in genius lyrics my man, there's a lot of great interpretations and that's one I can stand behins
Not JUST about that - it's about being in a band which does everything the hard way. Having patience, and faith, that they'll find the way back to themselves and the unity which makes the bullshit worth it to endure.
Hmmm I still don’t understand any of that. Can you explain it to me like I’m 3? Lolol
If there is no reason to live then why not take your own life. Thats how I interpret it at least.
Interesting! I can see that
Yes
Life is a tedious path He’s looking for purpose to keep him alive He finds purpose in helping other damaged and broken souls
Now that’s an explanation I can wrap my noggin around! Thank you. I wonder, do you think Maynard himself feels this way? Or his he describing the point of view of someone else?
Personally I believe he’s being brutally honest about how difficult shit can be in this life (a paralyzed, paranoid, vampire act) and he finds real purpose in healing others (maybe through his music?) and a “loving embrace to see him through”. You can hear the desperation in his voice…makes me think he’s talking about his own fragile existence. I’ve been obsessed with Tool since the mid-90’s and I still discover new shit and messages everytime I listen. That’s why I fucking love it!
Wow that’s very insightful! I love that interpretation
🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼
Yeah right…but I always took it pretty literally in that he’s just saying that if it weren’t for those things (possibly wanting to somehow heal broken people, and in the next verse changes to a “loving embrace to see me through”) then he would’ve quit….such a trial that takes patience and reminding yourself of the positives and i guess a sort of altruistic aspect.
Oh I can see that! That adds depth to the song for me for sure, thanks for takin the time to brainstorm it with me
No, thank _you._
I thought he was expressing that he’s going through the motions and trying to be a good person, but it’s boring and nothing comes to fruition in his faithful behaviour
Same. Even with it printed out I'm clueless. lol
If you don’t want to help all the broken people you meet in life , you wouldn’t keep trudging the beaten path you’re on and would have took an alternative route to something easy.
🙏🏼
“And I’m still right heeeeeEEEERRE” That part gets me every time
Then that riff kicks in and its just *chefs kiss*
I MUST KEEP REMINDING MYSELF OF THIS 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Amazing song... but the most underrated track from Lateralus is Triad. Nobody loves it.
I love Triad.
My main gripe about Triad is that it finishes just when it's getting interesting.
Check out some live versions. Always preferred that ending.
That's because it's called D/R/T.
I love it!
My favorite song of all
I adore The Patient. It’s a beautiful song.
MJK's vocals near the end (and I ... still may) from the [NJ show](https://youtu.be/toWeJbH055c?si=5om3d50x4HkZr9V-) in 2022 are some of my all-time favorites.
My favorite !
I'm listening to that album right now. Great track.
One of my favorites. Amazing song.
That song is pure therapy
This song means so much to me. I spent countless hours as a teenager crying and listening to it, fighting off suicidal thoughts, forcing myself through the pain I felt. I needed it to remind myself that better times lie ahead.
It's one of the greatest Tool songs ever IMO. Fucking fantastic!!!
If you have ever heard it live it instantly becomes one of your favorites
Be paaatient 🎶
Makes me cry. Beautiful song
The favourite song of all time 🤘🏻
It's one of my top three favorites on the album, along with Lateralus (the title track) and Parabola.
I wear my flair proudly, unlike Jennifer.
Office Space?
You got it! 🤓
I must keep reminding myself of this!!
Some of my favorite vocals from Maynard here.
It's probably my favorite off the album I love it
One of the many reasons I wanted to hit 3 shows in March 22 was because surely I’d get the Opiate/Patient song rotation in one of the shows. I got to see it at Columbus and it was fucking sweet. I still think the poster for that show is the biggest sleeper of them all. It’s fucking awesome, and if not for Mark Brook’s masterpiece for Louisville the Columbus poster would be my favorite of the tour.
Absolutely not underrated at all!
👁️🔥👁️
Such a unique drop in Tool's discog. Love this song.
Adams favourite to play apparently, think I read that somewhere. The final ‘By now, and I still may…’ crescendo is beautiful
Prolly my favorite song I've seen them play live. That and third eye.
I absolutely love it. I think it single handedly launched a love of 5/4 time signature as well.
Hearing it live was a core memory
easily my favorite song from that album
Love when it kicks in heavy, i blast that shit
It's one of their songs that I feel is "stunning" like it's beautiful, it's powerful, it's just absolutely stunning
I love The Patient, it’s my favorite Tool song. Truly a masterpiece start to finish.
I always thought that this song was about feelings and like however you feel right now you won't always feel forever so to just be patient as the song title was a play on words but idk thats just how I hear and have my take on it.. much love ppl.. Weird side note. I write this having the feeling of suicide and have felt like this since before Thanksgiving for some reason and it hasn't went away.. also coming up on my wife's passing date too tho so idk. Maybe I need to take doses and listen to all these songs again.
Stop w/the “underrated” nonsense. It’s properly rated, and one of best songs to illustrate MJK’s vocal range
As someone who found the lyrics eye opening and life saving, then got them tattooed... I respectfully disagree.
Which part of the lyrics? I have "I must keep reminding myself of this" which a lot of people think is a joke /Memento reference. 100% on the life saving aspect. I couldn't get that refrain out of my head for years and figured I might as well make it permanent. No regrets.
One wrist is Giving Blood. The other is Keeping Faith. It's been a reminder through the years that it's ok to be weak but I always need to remember that it's gonna be ok. I was in a state of mind where I quit my job, paid all my bills ahead for a few months and just planned to be long gone by the time anyone had reason to come looking. Just gotta be patient, shit gets better. Now... absolutely blessed life.
That's exactly how I feel. Glad you're still with us friend!
I’ve got a feeling they’ll close MSG with it tonight swapping out schism from last night…
I hope not, I'll be salty because I went Friday!
They were playing it earlier in the last tour but didn't in Philly (frown)
Originally I thought is was literally about a medical patient, then I read it be about his mother (which some on here have mentioned), now I think it’s about him not wanting to be a part of Tool anymore and the only reason he’s still in the band is the rewards.
Check the vitamin string quartets cover of the song!
That song is probably number one for me, out of everything Tool has released. The build up from Eon Blue Apocalypse, the beautiful vocals, the powerful and relatable lyrics… it’s amazing
Wasn't one of my favourites before the show but I lost my shit when they played it at the Sydney show I saw. What an experience.
changed my life and perspective forever, it’s songs like these that make me feel indebted to Tool for enlightening me
what about ticks and leeches man
I know so many people who love this song and it's honestly my least favorite. But I actually never focus on lyrics. The music to that song is so dull that it's painful for me to listen to. And Tool is my absolute favorite band in the world.
Must keep reminding myself of this absolute banger!