Blood

It only took me over 13 years to figure out the words to this song. Man, all that time I thought it was about a heroin user. I don't think it's anything like that. It's someone who gave until he realizes that he has nothing left to give because there wasn't an exchange back, something to rejuvenate him. A kindness from those willing to take. The music is great! I definitely sense Stone and Dave involved with the music as it's got the funky groove thing in it. That's another thing about the song, it pulses in and out, gives and takes, different type of music in and out which is very consistent with the theme. The theme is very consistent with the theme of other songs on the album; Ed found out the hard way what people in the industry are willing to do; to suck the force of his creativity without giving back.

All of these years I thought it was Paint it Big. Geez, I'm so embarrassed :)

It's sparse, and raw, groovy, and yet to create a metaphor that contains the pen and the needle is great! I just really looked at the drawing today. I thought all of these years it was two needles. Where have I been?! To draw a caligraphy pen and a needle over a puddle of blood just adds another layer to the words, takes it to a different direction, and it assists the listener on the path that Ed wants the listener to go. It is fierce, to have someone take your blood. It is a violation. Words/Music/life are Ed's blood in these words, and the pen creates the pulse only to be sucked by the violence of the needle of those that suck the life force from him.