Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War Drums by A Perfect Circle

Album: Emotive (2004)

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Songfacts®:

This song is a spin off of "Pet" from their previous album Thirteenth Step. "Pet" has been interpreted as a song about how one is controlled by drugs, but many people felt it was also about political control. They released this version on Emotive, a clearly politically motivated album, using a more aggressive tone and producing a much angrier version. In this version they are speaking of how the government tries to think for you. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Serge - Portland, ME

Comments: 10

AnonymousIt's about pet ROCK! GET IT?
David from Dunmore He has realized through his drug use that God is bot real that he is a primitive necessity. And that the government knows this and uses our religions for their profit and political gain.
Danielle from Kettering, OhI agree with Mackail, Winnipeg, MB
Mackail from Winnipeg, Mbwow, ive always thought of this song that it refers to death. like the line go back to sleep and go to sleep and the heaving breathing at the beggining would be the sound of a frightened guy about to get killed and the big, OW! and i thought counting bodies like sheep to the rhthym to the war drums meant war because counting bodies like were dead bodies and the war drums were bullets.
Rach from Bairns, AustraliaI don't think thatthis sng is about drug use. It's about the struggle of a country under the crunching rule of the government, who are trying to chenge people's beliefs to match their own and therefore gain acceptance of the fact that they are expending lives for their own personal egos. The Powerful pounding of the mixture of instumental noises in this piece help to portray the anger felt by everyone who belives i free speech and will not conceed to beng controlled by a government that oinly wants to win and does not care what it has to do to come out on top.
Ashley from Moncton, CanadaeMotive weirds me out.
Dan from Santa Clarita, Camaynard himself says that this song is a Part 2 of "Pet". a different version. not a remix. a remix would have the same anit-drug statement, but this song hones in on the Political interperitation that people saw in "pet"
Stephanie from Grants Pass, OrI don't think they are practically the same, you can hear the difference in instrumental pieces as well as the various sounds/beats used in the two songs. Although they have the same use of lyrics, with add-ins when it comes to Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drum, I think if you listened to the two, there's an obvious difference. Pet is more consoling and calm while Counting Bodies...is aggresive and angry. :)
Steve from Brisbane, AustraliaThe DVD film clip definately has a political message. George W has a very prominent roll in this clip. It's also an awesome version of this song. APC rules.
Toby from Wolverhampton, Englandaltough both versions are practically the same, they actually re-recorded maynards vocals for this instead of just re-mixing Pet , something which alot of people don't realise.

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