If Rain Is What You Want

Slipknot's 'If Rain Is What You Want' delves into themes of isolation, resilience, and the struggle against inner turmoil. The song opens with a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the erosion of friendships, highlighting a sense of loneliness and fear that ultimately numbs the protagonist. The repeated questioning—'Can we face it? Can we shape it? Can we really die?'—suggests a deep existential crisis, where the desire for rain symbolizes a longing for emotional release or catharsis. The act of closing one's eyes to summon rain metaphorically represents a retreat into oneself to confront these overwhelming emotions.

As the song progresses, the imagery of resurrection and the fall becomes prominent. The protagonist watches as resurrection 'starts to crawl,' indicating a slow and painful rebirth or recovery. The rhetorical questions about the possibility of change or salvation ('Is there any chance in hell? Any chance at all?') underscore a sense of hopelessness. Yet, there's a paradoxical invitation to 'enjoy the fall,' suggesting a grim acceptance of one's fate and the chaos that comes with it. This acceptance is further emphasized by the lines 'The only thing deeper than my last breath / The only thing darker than my last death,' which convey a profound sense of despair and the cyclical nature of suffering.

The latter part of the song introduces the metaphor of diamonds turning into colored glass under pressure, symbolizing the transformation and endurance of the human spirit amidst adversity. The protagonist asserts their identity and resilience with lines like 'As long as I can be myself, I’ll never fall apart,' and 'If I’m not broken, break me down / So I will never feel alone again.' This defiance against breaking under pressure highlights a journey towards self-acceptance and strength. The repeated declaration that 'my cities will never sleep again' serves as a powerful metaphor for the enduring impact of past traumas and the relentless vigilance required to navigate through life's challenges.