singles

PRISON SEX

The first single by Tool from "Undertow" made in 1993.

In an interview, Maynard was asked why he didn't attend his stepfather's funeral. He answered that when his dad died, when he was nine, he didn't accept another father. But he later broke down and said that his stepfather molested him as a child, that is where the lyrics to the song come from.

SOBER

The second single released off "Undertow."

It is thought that the song "Sober" is about the band's repeated drug use. It is actually about an artist that the band knew that was really bad at art, but did really good art when on drugs. He eventually "fried" himself into a mental hospital.

Also during "Sober" there is an attempt of humor. Very faintly the words "Turn that shit down" can be heard during the chorus.

STINKFIST

Third single, and first off "Aenima," in 1996.

In "Stinkfist", Maynard can be heard whispering "Chupa minha pica pichu chupa minha pica pinto", what it means, no one knows. It is thought to be the words that Bill Hicks and Maynard heard at one time at the same time while on drugs. This theory can not be proven.

H.

Second single released from "Aenima."

The early title for this song was "Half Empty." The H likely stands for that. It may represent the old "half-empty is interchangeable with half-full" notion. Of course, it could also stand for anything else. It's a safe bet that it does not stand for Heroin

AENEMA

The most popular single released, also off "Aenima."

The title is reported to be a mix of the words "Anima" and "Enema." In Jungian theory, the anima refers to personality traits regarded as feminine that are often repressed into the unconscious of males while the animus refers to traits regarded as masculine that are often repressed into the unconsciousness of females.

SCHISM

First single released from the album "Lateralus."

A quick trip to a dictionary tells us that a schism is "a separation or division into factions." A major theme of the whole album is reconciliation. Many of these tracks touch on the subject, though "The Grudge" is more about the actual grudge, and "Schism" focuses more on the separation itself.