The Clincher by Chevelle

Album: This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In) (2004)

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Songfacts®:

"The Clincher" is the second single from Chevelle's third album, This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In) (2004). Lead singer Pete Loeffler: "It's about claustrophobia. It's cool to get a song out on the radio that everyone can listen to, but it's about such a dark subject."
Against their wishes, Chevelle were marketed as a Christian band when they signed with an indie label run by Christian alt-rocker Steve Taylor for their debut album, Point #1 (1999). At the time, the Catholic-raised group said they believed in God but didn't want to use their music as a platform. In reality, Pete left the church as a teenager before they even started the band and identifies as an atheist. Because of their early ties to the Christian music industry, some fans interpret Chevelle's songs through a spiritual lens, with "The Clincher" calling Jesus Christ's crucifixion to mind as Pete sings about refusing to nail someone down. Sam Loeffler confirmed Pete's explanation that the song is actually about claustrophobia, particularly about being buried alive.

"It's not something that everybody talks about, but everybody has a form of claustrophobia so I guess everyone can relate," the drummer told the Connecticut News-Times in 2005.

Comments: 26

Sethangell from OhioYou guys arguing about the religion of the band and their meanings.... you guys do know that Chevelle in French means "My God is a vow" meaning "A promise to God".... right? Everyone assumes they named themselves after the car.
Aiden from TxAlso, though this song probably has many intended meanings, my interpretation of it closely resembles Tanner from Royse City, Tx theory.
Aiden from TxThough I have my own bias, I don't think the religion of the band matters is much as we think it does. On another note, What does "Now saturate" mean?
Jenna from CaliforniaReligious?? "This body's left the soul... Here's the clincher, this should be you". Because I AM Jesus Christ... and you... and you... and you. We are all Jesus here. LOL!
Just Some Guy from Sureville@ Brendan: How do people NOT think Chevelle is a Christian band? The band members have defined themselves as Christian. Their first recording deal was with a Christian record label and their first couple of albums were sold in Christian book stores. The band has since distanced themselves from those roots and tried to keep their Christian beliefs out of their music, but that's why many people still think they are—were—a Christian band. Soooooo, I dunno... maybe chill out?
Bobby Burskankski from HellMother? More guac please. The ferrets are rabid. And cold. Oh so cold. Jesus. Christian rock.
Brendan from SomewhereChevelle is NOT a "Christian band", so I don't know where all of you people are getting that. You hear "nail down" and instantly think someone's talking about Jesus? Why is that, exactly? Because that's the only thing you, personally, can relate to the phrase "nail down"?

The song, as described by Sam Loeffler (drummer), is about claustrophobia and the fear of being buried alive, not about Jesus, Christianity, or religion in general. And Chevelle has never claimed to be a Christian band in any way. Not for nothing, but having a song(s) that have a religious commentary or some sort, doesn't make a band or artist Christian or religious by default. Anyone can write a song about anything.
Aliki from UsaIt could be about wanting to be free from a personal situation, unable to brethe, feeling trapped... just a thought. Love the song.
Charles from HonoluluThey may not currently be a "Christian band" but they ARE Christian and it comes through in their music. If you have a problem with that, it isn't a problem with them or their music, it is a problem with you. Get over it.
Ian from New York, NyIt's about being mispronounced dead and buried alive. Think about it.
Bud from Bellflower, CaIt's about sin. Each sin we commit even without knowing is helping nail down jesus. even though it should be us being nailed down
Natalie from Jersey, NeI think this song is about someone dying from an overdose and putting blame on others for that persons' death.
Tanner from Royse City, TxChevelle is a personally religious band (even if they are not a christian band, though they were labeled as one at one time) and their songs do have some religious meanings in them. "The Clincher" could easily be a song about one of the men who helped nail Jesus to the cross, who had a realization about what they had done after. It talks about a person in pain, and the references to claustraphobia could have to do with Jesus being put into the tomb. Just listen to the lyrics.
Thom from Caldwell, IdChevelle started off on what used to be a Christian label, but the label changed and they did to. They are made of Catholics from Chicago, so they are about as Christian in their beliefs as the average Catholic. That doesn't ruin their music either way you look at it. They have lyrics that can be taken a number of ways, and they cuss in a few tunes. The Red is also supposed to be about anger, but could also refer to the Blood of Christ as an answer to the anger management that the song is directly about.
Dennis from Toledo, OhYou can find a Christian meaning in a lot of songs if you look hard enough. Just off the top of my head there are a half dozen other Chevelle numbers like that. Ignore it unless that's your thing.

As much as this song is about claustrophobia, I can't totally buy that. There are plenty of references to death, specifically being buried alive, which is pretty much the nightmare of any good claustrophobe, but it seems much more focused on images of death and decomposing, with only a few images such as lack of oxygen that go both ways. All in all incredibly dark.
Joey from Westville, NyTheir music might have some spiritual metaphors, but that has nothing to do with being a "Christian band." Tool is as christian as they are.
Diana from Houston, Txthey could be christian... doesnt mean they have to write about it... but they are christian... look it up... and this song is about claustrophobia... but not some kid locked in a box... pete was in a subway and i guess he felt a little claustrophobic... sam says so on the dvd side of 'this type of thinking'. by the way...the band won a dove award... guess they are christian... and havent y'all ever heard of 'double meaning' for a song?
James from Pasco, WaThey are not a christian band
Roc from Cp, Inthey are NOT a christian band and i believe the song was based of a prank they played on one of their Claustrophobic friends when the put him in a box
Desiree from Powers Lake, Ndchevelle me come off like a christian band they are definetly not...just really look at what there trying to say..youll see it
Amanda from Sandusky, Ohi never knew what it was about. this is interesting. when you look at the ending you really see it though.

and by the way, the part about never helping to nail down, hes talkin about a coffin lid, not a cross
Evan from Snohomish, WaThey interviewed with HM Magazine and said they want nothing to do with the christian market. said that coming out on squint at first was a BAD idea.
Phil from Youngstown, OhChevelle is listed under Christian Metal Rhapsody so I guess they are
Andre from Lansdale, Pachevelle was originally on squinterland records before they were on epic. squinterland told chevelle they wernt a christian label even though they kinda were. then a las they signed with epic
James from Victoria, CanadaThey arent a christian band
Erik from Willow Hill, Pai thought it was a religious song because of the terms "never would i, helped to nail down" and "this should be you". i've heard chevelle's a christian band.

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