Fan Theories Name: Abby Email: ahhbay@hotmail.com Theory: Most of this song is pretty self-explanatory. It describes the things people do to cause a lot of trouble with society today. Lots of people think it's cool because it mentions pot and smack, among other things, but it actually demoralizes them. "Slow motion, see me let go. We'll remember these days. Slow motion, see me let go. Urban life decays." I think the chorus is describing how the world is slowly falling apart and how some people eventually fall into that trap, like when he sings "As death slides close to me, I won't grow old to be a junkie wino creep." because he knows that's how he'll most likely end up. It basically sums everything up in the last verse: "I incite murder for your entertainment cuz I needed the money. What's your excuse? The joke's on you." This is from the actor's point of view. He acts out the corrupt lifestyle because it's his job, but he's glamorized for it. It kind of makes fun of those who live the life of drugs and violence. They don't really have an excuse. Name: Alexi Email: alexips@hotmail.com Theory: I disagree that the main character is an actor. I think it's intended to be from the point of view of the person it's clearly written in - i.e. first person. The voice of the narrator is clearly an individual in the ghetto describing his life and his inevitable escape from it - drugs and violence. The original demo of Slow Motion, instead of the line 'See Me Let Go' was 'Life in the Ghetto' which makes more sense contextually. Rather than an actor, this individual view the same films as the rest of us (on the whole, non-ghetto dwellers) and sees how his life is portrayed by Tarrantino et al i.e. as glamorous. Most of us, including the character in the song, however wouldn't want to live like that but rather take vicarious pleasure by viewing from afar. He 'incite(s) murder for your entertainment' by drawing attention to the fact that making films about such acts in turn inspire other individuals to commit them. Thus the cycle is perpetuated. He has to live like that - he has no choice, he needs the money. We however are complicit in his crimes by encouraging others by watching films about them - hence the joke is on us as we are ultimately the victim of such crimes. Life In The Ghetto. Name: Desiree Email: x3ebfn13x@aol.com Theory: This is probably going to be short and sweet. well its pretty self explanitory. I think that this song is about the shooting at Columbine, Colorado. Those 2 kids went around shooting other kids and teachers. "miss jones taught me english, but i think i just shot her son...now he's bleedng in a vacant lot." The song explains what the "young urban phsycopaths" would see every day. The song obviously has to do with those kids using drugs. So all in all, just incase you didnt understand all that jibberish, my opinion of the song is that its about the columbine kids who's lives were filled with drugs and violence (and everyday thing) and what it all came down to was killing the people at their school, regardless of who they were. Name: Jon Email: jon@ilovepants.com Theory: This song has nothing to do with Columbine. It was written well before the event occured. It is a shame that the lyrics never made it to the album. I think the song is about society. Not from a special point of view, not an actor or ghetto-inhabitant, but an outside overseer. Just listen to it and the feeling just comes over you. Slow Motion Miss Jones taught me English But I think I just shot her son 'Cause he owed me money With a bullet in the chest you cannot run Now he's bleeding in a vacant lot The one in the summer where we used to smoke pot I guess I didn't mean it but man you shoulda seen it His flesh explode Slow motion see me let go We tend to die young Slow Motion see me let go What a brother knows Slow Motion see me let go Now the cops will get me But girl if you would let me I'll take you pants off I got a little bit of blow We could both get off Lay there bathing in the afterglow Two lines of coke I cut with Drano And her nose starts to bleed A most beautiful ruby red Slow motion see me let go We'll remember these days Slow motion see me let go Urban life decay Slow motion see me let go And at home My sister's eating paint chips again Maybe that's why she's insane I shut the door to her moaning And I shoot smack in my veins Wouldn't you? See my neighbor's beating his wife Because he hates his life There's a knock to his fist as he swings Oh man, what a beautiful thing And death slides close to me Won't grow old to be A junkie, whino creep Hollywood glamorize my wrath I'm a young urban psychopath I incite murder For your entertainment 'Cause I needed the money What's your excuse? The jokes on you Slow motion see me let go Slow motion see me let go Slow motion see me let go Song Info Musicians: Stephan Jenkins: Songwriter, Guitar, Vocals Steve Cohen: Piano Ren Klyce: Keyboards Can Be Found On: Blue, 1999 Alternative Versions Slow Motion (full lyrics and only found on the internet and on pre-release Blue promotional CDs) Slow Motion (insturmental - chorus only & found on the first printing of Blue) Slow Motion (insturmental - no vocals & found on second printing of Blue) Band Comments: Elektra Records has asked Third Eye Blind to remove one of the tracks from their forthcoming album, Blue, due out Nov. 23. The band's management says the label deemed the song "Slow Motion" too violent because of the following lyrics: "Miss Jones taught me English, but I think I just shot her son/Cause he owed me money, with a bullet in the chest/With a bullet in the chest he cannot run/Now he's bleeding in a vacant lot." "When we asked the band to leave the song off the album, our intention wasn't to censor the band," says Elektra chairman and CEO Sylvia Rhone. "Our reason was that that song didn't work in the context of the rest of the album, and it didn't work in the context of the current social climate, and in the overall vision of this band." Third Eye Blind singer and lyricist Stephan Jenkins says the song is anti-violence and that he penned it long before the Columbine tragedy. "The song was written three years ago in part as a ironic comment on a culture that glamorizes violence and suffering," he says. "The tumult that that song has caused is a sign that we're on the right track. I think music can be a way to address issues like gun violence, and it can be done without being didactic." According to management, Elektra "agreed to let the band put an instrumental of the song on the album and will allow them to independently release the song with vocals at a later date." 3EB plan to release a CD within the next six months on their own, yet-unnamed label. Along with the original version of "Slow Motion," it will include a half-dozen or more new songs. JAAN UHELSZKI Rolling Stone (November 11, 1999)