This is, of course, assuming Slug is talking about Eyedea.
It's no surprise I over slept, put my boots on and climbed out my tent.
I didn't see you, assumed you were sleeping, immediately start a fire 'cause its freezing.
I can't believe we went camping in the cold; I'm in the wilderness standing in some snow.
^^ The imagery here is great. I believe this entire part would be talking about their friendship and how it was drifting apart before Eyedea's death. (This notion is supported later on in the song, as well). Slug
assuming he was sleeping can be very foreboding. With the say Slug worded things, such as
in the wilderness,
standing in some snow, and saying how he 'overslept'. It adds a lot of depth. When I think of
wilderness, I think of being lonely; desolate; cold. When I think of
snow I think of coldness, as well. Maybe not even a physical coldness, but emotional. Which I what I believe slug is referring to.
A late start but we can still catch up, you need to wake up, we should eat and then pack up.
It's when I noticed your foot prints, snows fresh and those have been put since.
What you're already up, making the rounds? So where you at now, you laid back down?
^^ The first line here is very telling. As are the last two. These 3 lines give the air that Slug has become really confused. Not depressed yet, but really confused. As in, "where did he go? You're still here, right?" <<< Vert typical feelings when someone close to us passes.
The breeze came and it stalled out the flame,
This partial line says a LOT, in my opinion. I'm not sure
exactly what he's trying to portray, but I'm sure we can come to the conclusion that the flame being mentioned has to do with their friendship or Eydea's life.
while I went to your tent and called out your name.
You didn't answer so I opened up the flap; it's just an empty sleeping bag and your backpack.
I'm looking at your tracks; you took a couple laps around the campground and hoofed down the path.
I figure you'll return no concern; Ima hold put and try to make this cold wood burn.
The wind is blowing strong, the minutes rolling on, it's going on at least half an hour you've been gone.
It aint right, start the paranoia; I left the camp site to go and search for ya.
There's a lot being said here. Again, we get the feeling of confusion. But then we also get the feeling of Slug being afraid. Again, we can't really tell EXACTLY what Slug is attempting to portray, but there are a few scenarios that come to mind. First, Slug could be referring to before Eyedea died. They possibly fell off in their friendship. Maybe Slug is regretting it here. Or, scenario number two, Slug is reminiscing about his friendship with Eyedea (either way, he's obviously reminiscing). By saying things like, "Ima hold put and try to make this cold wood burn." We get the feeling that the 'wood' Slug is possibly referring to is actually his own heart or feelings. "Cold wood" could, quite possibly, be a state of depression. Without reaching too far, or trying to take something from the song that isn't there, the aforementioned theory is backed up by Slug saying: "The wind is blowing strong, the minutes rolling on, it's going on at least half an hour you've been gone." The 'wind' can obviously be a metaphore for the whirlwind of emotions he was feeling while writing this and thinking about his friend, Eyedea. Then mentioning how he's gone (dead).
I read the trail your feet made, each step was deliberately placed.
It looks like you know where it leads but I see nothing but leafless frozen trees.
The first two lines here can easily be interpreted as Eyedea's addiction and choices he made during that addiction. Slug saying "It looks like you know here it leads but I see nothing but leafless, frozen trees" backs this theory very well (as do the next couple of lines) by referring to the baron mindstate a lot of addicts tend to have.. "it looks like you know where it leads" could be Slug saying, "You're smart enough to know addiction leads to death" or something of the sort. Left of interpretation.
About a mile into the course, another set of tracks appeared next to yours.
From the north it came out of the thick woods, and those footprints belong to a big wolf.
The first line here can easily be interpreted as an alotted amount of time in to Eyedea's addiction where Slug sees the first signs of depression / death / uncertainty / different character traits that don't belong to the 'sober' Eyedea. (the other set of foot prints that weren't Eyedea's)
The fact Slug is referring to the depression and addiction as a wolf is excellent. Wolves are often times looked at a savage creatures; much like depression and addiction. Great imagery and use of metaphore.
Trying to find service on my cellphone, I felt aight with my knife on my belt though.
I hope the wolf is intimidated by you, I wonder if you even knew what was behind you.
The "knife in his belt" could easily be family and friend support he recieved after learning of Eyedea's death. Or even during dealing with his friend's addiction.
The second line is a little more complicated. At first, Slugs talking in a future/present tense, then he says it in a past tense. This alludes to the fact Slug was, indeed, reminiscing.
"I hope the the wolf is intimidated by you" can easily be referring to, "You can beat the addiction. It doesn't have to control you."
while "I wonder if you even knew what was behing you" can be interpreted almost literally: "did you even know the road you were heading down?"
Stalkin ya, maybe watchin ya, waiting for the opportunity to hop on top of ya.
Salivatin wanna take ya to the stomach, in the cartoons you would have turned into a drumstick
Again, referring to the savage nature of addiction and depression.
And it gets about as bad it goes, 'cuz I notice there's a new set of tracks in the snow.
I understood. It doesn't look good. Your fan club doubled now you've got another wolf.
And the odds are in favor of the home team, why'd you walk off all alone where you going?
the
new set of tracks in the snow can be referring to Eyedea gaining fans with his music. This thought is backed by the next line, "Your fan club doubled now you've got another wolf" << Slug can easily be saying that 'fame' was another beast for Eyedea. Something that wasn't good to him.
why'd you walk off alone, where you going? can, and most likely is, referring to the withdrawing from friends and family that a lot of addicts face. Slug is obviously hurt by this.
It aint the right time to complain, but it feels like I'm trying to find your remains.
Your foot prints grew further apart, I knew what that meant and it was hurting my heart.
It means you started to run so I did the same, now my breaths looking like a steam engine train.[/quote]
These lines are Slug thinking about Eyedea after his death. "It aint the right time to complain" can be taken at face value.
The second and third lines can almost be taken at face value, as well. Slug saying that they both had drifted apart, and in his frustration and state of being hurt by it, slug also ran away from the friendship.
Suddenly your tracks dip off of the track and so did theirs so my knife I grabbed.
Into the forest, expect the worst. Adrenaline burst disturbed the nerves.
50 yards into the woods and brush, it got so thick that it looked like dusk.
The air stood serene, sober, it seemed like a good 15 degrees colder.
And I'll admit hell ya I felt fear the sound of my heart beat was all I could hear.
Looking at the snow it was plain a clear there was a third set of wolf prints where yours disappeared.
I can't process, I don't follow. It would be easier to accept that you were swallowed.
With no sign of death, no sign of struggle, no signs of blood, no signs of trouble.
And the wolves never stopped, the tracks kept going and I took off.
So I don't know how your story ends, but I know I'll never go into those woods again.
This last part is the most telling part of the entire song. Slug, in his confusion and hurt is asking why Eyedea let himself be taken the way he did. He didn't try to fight the addiction, he just took it and continued to feed it.
It's not that tragic, it's not a shame.
You're not the hunted, you're not the aim.
You just another dog with hunger pains
I was so afraid that you'd become the game.
This, again, is slug coming to the conclusion that Eyedea didn't get overtaken by the addiction / depression, but gave in to it
IF this is about Eyedea, my breakdown would probably be 75% accurate. And as I said, if it is, it's an even more amazing song.
It's definitely a possibility. I'm sure some of the symbolism is a reach but the overall direction of it sounds spot on.
