I Want Out

Band: Helloween.
Song: I Want Out.
Album: Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Part II.

Here is another post from Helloween. This band will be a recurring one in my posts, as they write lyrics that go deeper than just the surface, or write about things that I believe are important.

I Want Out is one of Helloween's most famous songs, as it speaks to many at the same time, while at the it shows a big step on the band's history, when Michael Kiske left the band. I Want Out is a song that portrays how society influences our decisions since the beginning. This song has many different connotations, ranging from political critique to simple, individual one.

From our lives' beginning on

We are pushed in little forms

No one asks us how we like to be

In school they teach you what to think

But everyone says different things

But they're all convinced that

They're the ones to see

The first stanza of the song si fairly straight forward. However, like I said before, it has different connotations. As it refers to social and political institutions, the song clearly refers to the way in which others decide what is good for us to learn, or how to do so. Political theories and parties, such as Socialists, Communists, Consevatives or any others, are generally based on principles that we learn since we're young. It follows that our later choices will be formed by our early teachings, thus, those that were given to us. The song also tells the story of Michael Kiske, the writer of the song. He believed that Helloween was moving to a very "heavy" sound, and wanted to change that, to a more light, lively upbeat band.

So they keep talking and they never stop

And at a certain point you give it up

So the only thing that's left to think is this

What these lines imply is that those who control what we learn will never stop, they will continue talking until we give up. Although the bridge has no deep, intricate meaning, without it the whole meaning of the song would we way more superficial.

I want out--to live my life alone

I want out--leave me be

I want out--to do things on my own

I want out--to live my life and to be free

This a cry to those who are under the influences discussed above. It is a cry for freedom, as they want to get out of that monotnous control. "I want out--To live my life and to be free" is one of the most important lines in the song. It's saying that if we leave the state in which we are, where we have no freedom nor life, we will achieve those things.

People tell me A and B

They tell me how I have to see

Things that I have seen already clear

So they push me then from side to side

They're pushing me from black to white

They're pushing 'till there's nothing more to hear

This stanza depicts a person who already knows what is good for them, what is bad, and what they want. Wheather it is freedom, a social reform, to leave the band, or even their choice of meal, what this line expresses is that no matter how clear we see life, there are always those who will keep pushing us "'till there's nothing more to hear." The second and third line of the stanza accounts for many of the revolutions that have happened in the past. As an example, the French Revolution (1789 - 1799) destroyed the monarchy that had been ruling for such a long time, because of the bad conditions the people had, or what they were told. The people revolted, but they ended up with Napoleon and an Empire, though what they wanted was a democracy.

But don't push me to the maximum

Shut your mouth and take it home

'Cause I decide the way things gonna be

The second bridge is, again, very important to the song, though not very deep. It is a direct challenge to the forces that control our life, and a way to proclaim our own freedom. At the same time, it is a slap in the face to Helloween, as Kiske has clearly decided about his future.

I want out--to live my life alone

I want out--leave me be

I want out--to do things on my own

I want out--to live my life and to be free

Like I've repeatedly mentioned before, the song has connotations that tell both the story of Kiske's departure, and socio-political themes. After Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part II went on sale, Kiske left the band and continued with his own project, Place Vendom. The chorus shows exactly what he thought, as his leaving Helloween was a very impopular move, and whatever he did next would not bring him such fame. Kiske did what he did because he wanted to do things on his own, to free his own conciousness.

There's a million ways to see the things in life

A million ways to be the fool

In the end of it, none of us is right

Sometimes we need to be alone

The last line of this stanza carries the whole weight of the song in it. To be alone, with out the influence or distraction of others is what Kiske wanted. Also, it serves social themes as it pushes away any form of opressive government. The first three lines, however, acknowledge that it all depends on one's point of view. When some may believe that on way is right, the others will destroy him, and the other way around too. In the end, no one has the right answer, as each serves individual purposes.

No no no, leave me alone

I want out--to live my life alone

I want out--leave me be

I want out--to do things on my own

I want out--to live my life and to be free

So, in the same way that there are million ways to look at things, there are a million interpretations of this song. Perhaps you will read this, and think I am horribly wrong, and I misread the whole thing. Perhaps you agree with me. But, if you have an opinion, let me know!