Seven Caged Tigers

Stone Temple Pilots' song 'Seven Caged Tigers' delves into the complexities of time, truth, and the human condition. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the passage of time, with phrases like 'Pass the time kickin' as time rips by' and 'Buy a minute spend an hour burnin', burnin'' suggesting a sense of urgency and the fleeting nature of life. The imagery of 'neither goose nor the gander fly' and 'seven caged tigers fly' evokes a sense of entrapment and the struggle for freedom, both physically and metaphorically.

The song also touches on the theme of disillusionment with societal structures, particularly politics. Lines like 'Clean the politician, wash with everpure' and 'the answer gets harder, harder' reflect a growing cynicism and frustration with the political system. The repeated mention of 'the bottle keeps churnin' and churnin'' could symbolize the cyclical nature of problems and the difficulty in finding lasting solutions. This sense of disillusionment is further emphasized by the line 'the truth's getting farther and farther,' suggesting that the more we seek the truth, the more elusive it becomes.

Additionally, the song explores the idea of escapism and the search for meaning. The references to 'chasin' those cows that fly' and 'butterfly sugarboost' hint at the pursuit of fleeting pleasures and distractions. The mention of 'Take a pill it'll kill martyrs, martyrs' could be interpreted as a critique of how society often seeks quick fixes to deeper issues. Overall, 'Seven Caged Tigers' is a thought-provoking exploration of the human experience, filled with rich metaphors and poignant observations about the complexities of life and the search for truth.