+ 16

leimomi 2008-09-15 18:31:11

I don't think this song is about dieing. I think it's about being in a relationship that is perfect, like heaven, but the timing is just off. You still want to live your life, be selfish, make mistakes, ect. And you know that you can't have both so you are willing to leave with just the hope that some day "when the time is right" you will be able to find that place, peace, agian.

a

+ 13

abyssisbliss 2008-08-24 05:28:39

I agree with the person above me. The only spin I have on it, is when he says "Such a surreal place to see so how did this come to be
Arrived too early": tells me that there was an accident or something where he lost a pulse or what have you, and arrived in heaven. Then it goes on to say "just giving you a small taste
Of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway": Tells me that the person he is conversing with knows that it's not yet his time to die, but he will be back soon, meaning that when it is his time to go, he will be back in heaven. So the person is trying to convince him not to return to his body, but to stay.

+ 7

cassy1196 2008-08-23 15:35:34

The song is about someone's entrance into the Afterlife (presumably heaven, because of his conversation with a higher power). But, the lyricist metaphorically uses the Afterlife to represent complacency, or stagnancy, to express the lyricist's need for change, or the need to challenge himself. He is apparently unhappy in "...a place of hope and no pain, perfect skies and no rain," and desires a life in which not everything is provided for him. It rocks.

d

+ 6

drummerboy 2008-09-12 12:03:07

I think maby, and because of how crazy a7x is this is possible in 1 of their songs lol. But I think that maby hes talking about hes girlfriend died and pulled him though to heven with her and hes up there explaining to her that he can't stay and pleading with god to let him go back and live his life the way he wants to. The only part I don't see match up is it says place full of peace and light (heaven) then it says unbreak me unchain me (hell) that doesn't match up well in my mind lol.

b

+ 6

brushstroke 2008-08-14 22:50:56

I think the song might be about a guy breaking up with his girlfriend. He's admitting that he knows what he has is pretty damn good (hence calling it an "afterlife"), but he's saying it's happening too soon, and he's not ready to settle down. He'll miss the girl and he'll be back once he's ready ("surely I'll miss you/This place full of peace and light, and I'd hope you might/
Take me back inside when the time is right")

t

+ 5

TheRep7 2008-07-17 21:27:30

He "died" and went to the afterlife and saw his dead girlfriend who is holding her hand out for him to come to her but he realizes that he doesn't want to die at this time but hopes she is still there when it is time for him to die so he asks God at the end not to take him and send him back to his life on earth. For now.

m

+ 5

Mflux 2008-06-22 07:25:20

Well from the way I look at it,.
He's in heaven, but there is just too much serenity and peace that he aint used to - so much so it feels so wrong to him.
He wants heaven to release him back to earth, where its all pain and suffering. Where he feels most comfortable in.
And yet, he would like to go back there, to heaven - maybe and hopefully someday when the time is right.
Its avenged sevenfold man.

l

+ 5

longlivethemaggots 2008-04-11 19:30:59

This has got to be one of the best songs avenged sevenfold have ever made. It has a great meaning to it - I think this song is about somebody who is dying before it is their time, and this person is trying to break free and enter earth again, but the devil or god whoever he is talking to is only showing him what his afterlife will be like - look at the line "just giving you a small taste of your afterlife you'll be back here soon anyway"

p

+ 4

peachesluna 2010-05-21 15:55:05

I love this song so much I mean I was never into rock before and then I heard this song and I loved rock and I love avenged sevenfold:) and I didn't understand the song but now I do just listening to it over and over and the man will find his way out:) and also R.I.P Jimmy we all love you :) I didn't know that you were drummer at the time but now I love you and miss you:) and you didn't die you are still hear and I can feel it peole just have to belive that's all well I miss you :) love you avenged sevenfold :)

k

+ 4

kevon 2010-04-22 18:26:43

This song is about a man who has died and as he's about to enter heaven, he realizes he still has a lot to do on Earth, tasks to accomplish and for this he wishes to escape the afterlife and return.
At this point, it's more of a theme song for The Rev because we all agree that he still has a lot to do here. It's not about suicide or related themes.
He was a good drummer and brilliant songwriter. Avenged Sevenfold has suffered a big loss which may not be able to be compensated. Forever!

m

+ 4

meowxxxmeow 2009-01-19 23:35:23

I don't know if anyone will understand this. For me this song is a metaphor, of fear of commitment. This is what it means to me beacuse I've been in that place, having someone who loves you, someone who wants to make you happy, someone you'd have it all with, but feeling your not ready to fully give your selvs to them, atleast not yet. So you push the person away, beacuse as good as it is with them, its just not the right time.

b

+ 4

blackXrose 2008-10-02 23:41:08

The band actually said on an interview that this song is literally about some guy who died early, and wanted to go back to earth. In the song, it kind of leads you to believe that the man will be allowed to go back, but then you hear the laughing, which is supposed to mean that he's staying in the afterlife. It's one of my all-time favorite songs--syn gates' guitar playing is wicked--and I love a7x, especially their new stuff. It's great.

t

+ 4

The_Kaze 2008-09-30 19:46:53

Imo, he's the one that died ("I see a distant light") ("Loved ones BACK HOME all crying 'cause they're already missing me") and went to heaven ("A place of hope and no pain, perfect skies with no rain"), but he doesn't want to go yet or isn't ready to ("Arrived too early" "(I'm much too young to fall)") and wants a second chance to do things over the right way ("Give me a chance to be that person I wanna be") and also feels he doesn't belong in this place ("I don't belong here") (maybe cuz' he isn't ready for the afterlife or cuz' he feels its too good a place for him).
And I hate people that say every song has something to do with drugs "Such a surreal place to see" imo heaven would be a surreal place to see.
If I missed anything in this song let me know, but I think I got everything.

s

+ 4

SwordMistress 2008-09-30 01:15:51

How could anyone really think that this song is about drugs? Just because they are a rockin kick a* band doesn't mean that they sing about drugs, honestly people listen to the lyrics.
He is singing about a girl that has passed away and that he has been given a chance to say goodbye to her and getting a second chance. There is always more to it but that is basic.

a

+ 4

AngelaStanley 2008-09-05 14:44:49

I don't think they were going for a specific meaning, or if they were they don't keep to it. Probably just got an idea and started writting, letting it develop on its own. Most songs don't really make that much sense, they just write the lyrics however it sounds good, even if it goes against what the meaning of the song is suppose to be. Pretty much all mainstream bands do, that's why I would take Cradle of Filth over Avenged any day :)

j

+ 4

jesscka205 2008-09-05 14:09:20

I disagree. I don't know if it's because I just broke up. And that's why I can see it this way. But I feel like he's talking about his relationship.
I feel like he is reflecting back on a break up "I don't belong here, we gotta move on dear" The relationship just isn't working out. He's ready to move on past this place of pain. He wants to be happy again.
"Got nothing against you and surely I'll miss you
This place full of peace and light, and I'd hope you might
Take me back inside when the time is right".
He's moving on. And yes he's going to miss her, and he knows that she probably hates him right now. But he hopes eventually she won't. That she can "take [him] back inside when the time is right"

a

+ 4

AX7darkhorseAX7 2008-09-05 02:52:08

I think he nearly died and was breifly in heaven speaking to an angel or god or someone along those lines, and as theyre reflecting over the life he lived up to that point he realizes that he belongs on earth til another time. And when he says ""got nothin against you and surely will miss you""he means all due respect but I need to go bck until the my time to arrive here again or "when the time is right"". On the wikipedia bio they say they're strictly neutral in the relegion and politics area, but with this song and critical acclaim, and almost easy, it shows that theyre playing the roll of the swiss persey. They're trying to remain neutral but in a world like the one we live in today its nerly impossible to do without being ridiculed.

h

+ 4

HarunoGirl 2008-08-15 21:57:27

To goat: 1) I never called anyone a dipshit and 2) you don't have to be a b*h about it. I didn't mean for it to come out like I was superior, just making a point. And I kno about metaphorical cover ups. I have to use them all the time. And the got nothing against you quote, who knos, he could be tlking to god. But either way that was my emo take on the song. Never said you had to agree with me.

g

+ 4

goat777 2008-08-15 03:38:44

Dude. To harunogirl. Just because that's what it sais. Doesn't mean that's what he means. Anyone who writes songs would know. Metaphoric cover up its like. He sais "Got nothing against, surely ill miss you" that states the meaning right there. Of course this is just my opinion and debate. But take it how you want, if you relate to the song ur way. Then great. But don't make ur statement sound obvious and like everyone else are all total dipshits.

+ 4

xMeganSevenfold 2008-07-11 16:54:18

It's looking into a reflection of yourself. A sort of metaphor of falling into the afterlife and arguing with the gods and realising you left too soon and didn't do the things you needed to do. You didn't make up with your father, you didn't let the ones that you love know that you love them. Pretty much live in the moment and be the person you want to be before it's too late.

a

+ 4

ashlinebabbyy 2008-05-29 23:37:06

I think the song is about a guy who has gone down the wrong road. Although he sees that the place he is headed (the afterlife, heaven) is perfect, he is not ready to be there so he wants to change and have a chance to be the person he wants to be. "Loved ones back home all crying 'cause they're already missing me,
I pray by the grace of God that there's somebody listening" probably means that the road he is on is ulimately hurting the ones he cares about and that he hopes that people will take the message to heart and make a change in their lives too.

c

+ 4

ccoubz 2008-05-21 16:37:17

I guess the whole suicidal thing and wantin gto be with his girl could be true but mine is a bit more unique I guess. I view it as a bad relationship where he is kinda stuck with this person he feels isn't right for him and he wants to carry on with his own life whether the other side of the fence is better or not. He wants to live his own life and find himself because it has gone too far and is becoming destructive to some level. I don't belong here could refer to the environment the abusive relationship that has manifested and moving on from the afterlife is like moving on from the bad memories. Maybe not what its really about but thast how I view it, friggin sick song!

+ 4

MasagoKami_Sama 2008-04-15 19:05:02

I agree, this is the best Avenged Sevenfold song! I think that this is about his waking up in Hell, realizing his life as a mortal was not as good as he could live it. So he starts to pray to God, to see if he can have another chance in life (start over) and be a better person. Yet the Devil or demons, tell him "you'll never change, why even try, just stay here. This Hell is showing u what you've been like as a mortal." Simply just saying this afterlife is your fate, because of the way you acted on Earth. But he just want a second chance!

s

+ 4

Synyster 2008-04-10 04:23:50

I think that this song means that there is a person that wakes up in the afterlife and realizes that he was a crappy person in life. That is pretty much the hell of dying. To realize that people didn't like you and you didn't do anything for people. And that comes to what Tcop said up there
. "give me a chance to be that person I want to be, Oh lord i'll try so hard, but you got to let go of me" which means they want to break the hold that the lord has on that person to change in their life and make things better. That's what I have come to believe.

l

+ 3

Lloyd Teo 2015-03-24 03:19:07

Heaven would be the best reprieve for anyone departing on Earth. However, a step into Heaven's gate showers the person with unfamiliar warmth and undeserving peacefulness which is unreflective of his last few moments.

Jolted to his senses of being placed in such a surreal environment, he laments that it is hell on heaven for he still has amendments to tend to in his past life - thus begging for an extension before this final placement.

Unbounded from the chains, he seeks to right his regrets and to live a righteous life - something so elusive to the living yet dear to those close to death.

r

+ 3

rayven2011 2010-03-31 19:08:11

Personally, it sounds to me like a tragic love song. Like they have tried to make the relationship work but it won't and everyone around them is getting angrier and angrier. Hince "i see a distant light but girl this cant be right". He sees that there may be some way to make it work but if they are having such a hard time, how can this relationship be right? And "i've come to grips with life and seen that this is going too far" as in they are trying to live a fairy tale love and it's not realistic. They can't be happy anymore. "got nothing against you...when the time is right" obviously it is a reassurance to her that he still loves her and she did nothing wrong but he has to get away and maybe someday later in life they can try again and make it work. "please understand i have to leave and carry on my own life" it's very self explanitory. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems kind of obvious to me. Then again maybe I got that message because I have gone through what it sounds like with a guy once. This is just one of those songs that has been written to be taken any way you want to take it so that it will relate to all listeners.

s

+ 3

skittlz 2009-10-20 15:11:32

This song is a perfect example of what avenged sevenfold wants to be like. They want to combine the best parts of each type of music and put them all together in a song, not to mention that this song also displays a powerful message, in which the guy realizes that he could've/should've done so much more in his life after he dies, so he tries to escape the "Afterlife" to get back to his own life.

d

+ 3

DarkMetal 2009-05-10 02:36:49

Afterlife is about a person, who tried to commit suicide, died, but was not quite dead. After realizing this, he looks back on his life, and sees that he must return to his life to repent his mistakes and live his life the way he wants to, hence the line "Give me a chance to be that person I wanna be. Oh Lord I'll try so hard but you gotta let go of me." In the end, he asks for forgiveness and realizes the value of his own life.

d

+ 3

dead 2009-03-05 16:02:08

Someone has brought him to the place of the dead to show him how it looks like and give him little taste of it as they say hell be there soo anyway soo hes explaing that hes seeing the light but he doesn't belive it cuz its kinda early (for him to die) and when he falls in this place he wants to run and return he doesn't like his afterlife.

e

+ 3

emmaOVERDOSE 2009-02-19 04:03:04

This song is about a relationship. "Like walking into a dream, so unlike what you've seen, so unsure but it seems, cause weve been waiting for you, Fallen into this place, just giving you a small taste of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway". At some points it's like heaven, and others it's like hell. Simple to figure out. And he is not sure if he's, so to speak, ready for it.
I do have to say, This is probally one of the easiest songs I've figured out the maning to, & before you disagree with me and start to yell at me because I'm "wrong". Maybe You should listen to the lyrics.
")

g

+ 3

Gunslinger 2008-12-25 02:49:50

A7x songs can have wahtever meaning you can fit them to. Tho I can't see A7x intending to make this song reffering to going on tour and saying goodbye to Las Vegas. Nor does it seem like it, I rather like the theory about how this is linked to drugs and it does match up with the lyrics. This is a tough song to interpret I simply like listening to it. About actual Heaven thems tho. A7x doesn't like to base entire songs off religion, only pieces. But who knows =)

d

+ 3

dirtycooooot 2008-12-15 06:08:38

He is abusing drugs and can't quite. Its like he is already dead and in his afterlife, fallen into a made up world you create and isn't real, with no pain or sense of time because he's so screwed up. On drugs he's given a small taste of after life but he doesn't want that, he wants his life back. The piece on earth he gets from drugs doesn't feel right. He'll die soon enough anyways where he will live in an afterlife. He's got to move on from that drug stage in life, leave friends or loved ones to escape from those bringing him down. He's hit that rock bottom point he knows he wants back because it doesn't feel right. Loved ones miss him because he might as well be dead.

e

+ 3

epiccullan 2008-12-05 00:34:59

I wouldn't go as far as to say that there satanists. But come on. A guy, killing his gf, screwing his dead gf, then she comes back to kill him and s***w him. Then they go and kill every other people that are getting married!. Yeahhh somethin you also might want to consider!
For thouse that don't know hwat I'm talkin about * a little piece of heaven* is the name of the song. And the most disterbings songs i'v come to find. Are wrote by the rev. Weird?

x

+ 3

xXchelseyxlovesxyouXx 2008-09-25 03:31:17

This song is not about drugs, what I think it's about is that he's dead and it's not time for him to die. He thinks heh hasn't made enough up of the world and deserves another chance. He's also talking about how his friends and family are missing him or he is hoping they are missing him. He doesn; t think he belongs in heaven even though it's an amazing place, with no pain or darkness. But he wants to be home with the ones he loves. But he wants god to take him back when it's his time to die.

m

+ 3

Modman 2008-08-20 20:50:22

Well, I suppose I'll give this a shot.
The most important step in decoding the message is to realize that the metaphorical lyrics are a conversation between the person who has arrived in heaven, and someone else who is already there. The person who was there upon arrival is attempting to reason the new arrival into staying in heaven throughout the song, and I sense a level of affinity from the person who was there before the arrival of the newcomer towards the newcomer.
Although the soothsayer sees a perfect heaven, a place no one would want to leave, the newcomer feels that he is still missing something. Something he knows he can find elsewhere, and that something is more important than the soothsayer's perspective of perfect.
These are the subliminal messages the majority of you recognize, but couldn't put words to, and skipped over in an attempt to convey your own personal interpretations of the song.
At this point, to me, the message is simply an eloquent way of expressing cold feet.
Ciao. ~Modman.

c

+ 3

craigthayer 2008-08-17 01:22:03

The song Afterlife, the fourth track on the new album, was written again by The Rev. Afterlife incorporates a  poppy element, which in turn makes it one of the catchiest songs on the album. Zacky explains the song is about  a person, who finds themselves in the afterlife, realizes they have too much stuff left on Earth to do. And to go back and make it right, they have to escape from their afterlife, so they can go back and make amends with the people they love and care about. M. Shadows also adds:  That s kind of the hell of dying too early in this instance, it looks like the person is gonna get a second shot..

h

+ 3

HarunoGirl 2008-08-13 18:35:48

The song is about this guy who died and "arrived to early" in apperrantly heaven (from what they say "this place full of peace and light") and he wants to go back to Earth until "the time is right" and he'll go back up there. And if you think its about him in love wit someone then why would they title the song Afterlife? Afterlife means exactally what it says. After. Life. Where you're at after you live. Heaven or hell. Take your pick.

t

+ 3

TheRep7 2008-07-30 18:09:42

Ok, I take back seeing his dead girlfriend in the "afterlife" -- he died and is going toward the "light" but realizes he doesn't want to die now because he is too young to die now and wants God to send him back to his life here on earth but realizes that the "afterlife" is a beautiful place and when it is his time to die he wants to go back there --

t

+ 3

thingthatgoes 2008-07-23 17:50:48

Maybe I'm getting too old but I think everyone is looking too far into this. Maybe the speaker's mind is going back and forth in what he/she is thinking. Maybe the writer just picked certain words for their tangible qualities (they rhyme and sound well in the song). Even the best of writers (E A Poe) would spend entire nights thinking of the perfect word based on it's sound quality and how it looked in the writing. Their is also the musical aspect of "what sounds good with the melody". Remember its supposed to sound beautiful.

c

+ 3

caitid73 2008-07-20 06:21:20

The thing with sevenfold is that their songs are meant to make you think and question what you believe. What is it that I do think? What does this song mean to me. At any rate I think this song is about realizing you're in the wrong place in life, and being on that brink of changing things. Empowering yourself to let go of some things so that you can do what you know you need to for yourself.

f

+ 3

forbidden47 2008-07-11 08:32:51

I think that the people below me have the idea and I somewhat agree with them except for karn. I don't thing that person is right. Sry. But personal I think that he feels like hes not ready for a relationship and he has to finish doing what he feels like he should be doing. He feels like he can't give her the attention she deservers and mabey he will comeback, but he wants her to wait for him. Even if its in the afterlife. You can disagree with me if you want. But I think that is what the song is trying to say.

x

+ 3

xx_ihearta7x_xx 2008-06-29 14:58:27

I'm gonna go with "case" but if you look at it he is trapped in the world between world like the movie "The Invisible" the kid they all thought was dead or the kid who tried to kill himself with the pills but had a seizure then his parents walk in the room then call the ambulance would more correct but really wasn't he sorta trapped there then he realizes that it is not his time to go.

f

+ 3

FightOnState15 2008-06-26 22:26:07

Jonanish: I thought that's what it meant too, but it is actually about kind of a vision of after he dies where hes going to go. He sees heaven, and thinking hes dead, the lyrics state "im much to young to fall", which means hes too young to die. If he was talking about hell, then it wouldnt say "no pain or sign of time", cuz I'm guessing hells gonna be painfull lol. Hes saying that's its almost too good to be true and he dosnt know if he wants to give up life on earth, even though its full of pain and suffering, he has come to live with that and hes afraid of such a drastic change.

m

+ 3

Moony92 2008-06-02 06:54:09

The relationship is probably volatile. It's distructive and probably even violent, which explains his family and loved ones being worried for him and why he's praying. I know all too well how family tend to get caught in the crossfire of their relatives disputes between their boyfriends or girlfriends. -_- Perhaps it looks good and well on the outside, to other people, but really it's the exact opposite in his point of view. In fact, he may be the one that's causing the distructive relationship. And he feels guilty, wants to reform.
It could mean anything to different people. No biggie.

c

+ 3

csturges 2008-06-02 00:52:59

I think that the songs really about him getting out of where he is, leaving to experience what life really is all about, because when we're all younger I can imagine that the general idea is that "I gotta get out of here" whether running away from something or running to do something new and testing the boundries of the world. My idea about the whole afterlife is that afterlife means where he finally settles down to carry on his remaining years, home essentially. So he's leaving home (afterlife) to reach another home (afterlife) while living life to its fullest in between.

m

+ 3

monkey_leader 2008-05-15 21:56:04

I think its about how "his girl" died and he thinks of commiting suicide but knows its not right. Hince the "walkin into a dream" he dreams of dying to see her again and realizes hes not supposed to be there yet. The second chorus clearly states that (at least it does to me!) . He wants to take the girl back to the livin with him and can't so he leaves her to carry on with his life and he'll see her one day for rea and wont have to leave again.

p

+ 3

pablozyc 2008-05-12 05:36:18

The "we" in "we've been waiting for you" refers to married people. The afterlife is in my humble opinion the life of married people, full of light, hope, with no pain and no rain. It's to early for him, he is not ready to that kind of living, he's too young, he loves the girl but she wanted more, and he hopes in the future she takes him back inside. Anyone agree w me?

d

+ 3

Decipher08 2008-05-10 16:34:27

Trevocc44 has this one nailed. The lyrics give an easy description of the songs meaning; there is no hidden message. He is in Heaven for some reason but he wants a chance to go back because he is too young to die. It is a perfect place ("No pain or sign of time..." "This place full of peace and light...") and he hopes to be able to come back one day when it's his time ("I'd hope you might take me back inside when the time is right). But for now he is begging God to let him keep living until it's his time to die (Oh Lord I'll try so hard but you gotta let go of me).

i

+ 3

in_need_of_sum1 2008-05-03 01:55:31

As I read the top 5 opinions on this song, I was thinking bout puttin down that he wants to kill himself or whatever. Then, I reread the lyrics. Look closer and it's as if he is just trying to correct himself. He needs to fix whatever it is on his own, away from everyone he loves. He's not going to kill himself. He's also asking for helpfrom someone. Hence "and i'd hope you might take me back inside, when the time is right"

d

+ 3

DoeJohn 2008-04-15 20:48:36

I quite agree that this is one of their best songs, but my opinion is that this song is about settlling down. He finds himself with a really nice girl and before he knows it he's almost in a serious relationship, which he quite likes but thinks of it as afterlife - something that is inevitable and he wants to be there, but only after he lived his life to the fullest (be it women, career, rock and roll). So he lets go of the girl, gets on with his life as it was before and in the back of his mind hopes that someday he will have another chance to finally "die".

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2020-11-20 20:53:40

A7X says that what this song is really about is the person in the song dies and goes to heaven. He realizes that he still needs to go back to earth and make amends with the people he loves before it's to late. I believe this song was written by The Rev.

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2015-10-22 18:31:43

I thought this song was about a human being not fitting into society. Arrived too early in time. Meaning you were supposed to be born in the future. You don't fit into society and you don't relate to other human beings. Maybe the future would be a better place to live in.

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2012-09-04 23:24:28

It is a song about how well life can be. About how we don't want to leave a perfect place in our life. Which can sometimes be a girl. But how even though you don't want to leave it. Or her. You have to, it is for the best of things. And not meaning anything bad by leaving her and not wanting her to hate you, or forget you, that one day you will be together. Or one day that perfect time in your life will come back. It's just time to move on at that point.

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2012-07-23 16:25:30

I think this song is about becoming a better person. Starting a new life "give me a chance to be the person i wanna be"
I do not believe its about dying or suicide other than killing the old you and becoming a new person.
I can also relate this to moving from place to place in general. Maybe your far away from family and you've stayed away for too long and miss them. "loved ones back home all cryin 'cause they're already missin' me. "

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2012-07-05 19:31:19

Apart of the rev's suicide note. In bromton cocktail, it spoke of an afterlife, putting two together, the rev, knowing he would die due to his enlarged heart placed bits of his suicide note in each song. Fiction, (nightmare album) was written secretly by the rev and was originally published as, "death". A7x songs have meaning, each member contributes parts of their lives into creating an album. "i lost my final fight to disease, i feel that this is where it ends" (bromton cocktail). "let it burn. Under my skin. Let it burn"
(fiction).

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2012-06-13 21:27:42

I think hes eating peanut butter from a container, but scrapes the bottom and is hence running out of time to live, as peanut butter is the only thing sustaining his life force. So on his way to kroger hes hallucinating: therefore the walking into a dream. And not many people suffer of this ailment, so something no ones ever seen before. Long story short, he doesn't make it. He was halfway down the aisle when he came to grips on the fact that life is indeed leaving him, and embraced the thought of afterlife, where peanuts butter is in abundance. Anyone else agree?

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2012-05-13 18:35:20

So first of all, the rev is the one who wrote this song, he's the only one who wrote it, it was his personal project. Secondly, the song is about a man who died before fulfilling his purpose in life, and he's trying to find a way back to the "world of the living" so to speak. He tries to plead with the higher power to let him go back and he ends up finding a way back. But at the same time he doesn't want to leave, second verse talks of how it's paradise there "perfect skies with no rain" referring to the fact that there is no problems. But he feels guilty because he didn't fulfill his purpose, so he can't enjoy it, so he goes back so that his soul can rest in peace. People say that a person's final words are usually the most meaningful words they utter. I think of this song as the rev's final words in life.

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2012-04-28 19:51:34

Its about the guy who got into a accident and probably in a coma or some state. Apparently while in that state he goes and catches a glimpse of heaven "a place full of peace and light". There he meets some one who had passed away previously and is waiting for him probably a gf or wife. But he realizes this is not his time to die and that people need and miss him back in the real world. So he tries and asks god to help him get out of this state and back into the real world. But he also tells the girl that he would be back n hopes that at that time she would still be waiting for him and that there would still be a place for him in heaven.

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2012-04-19 20:57:29

I think this song is about a metaphorical death. The death of one stage of your life, and the entrance into another stage. From what I can decipher, it is a relationship. He is saying goodbye to his girlfriend/fiancee/wife/mistress (the relationship status is ambiguous and irrelevant), because he knows he or she is not good for the other (presumably the he is not good for her given these lines: "give me a chance to be that person i want to be / ... Oh, lord, i'll try so hard, but you gotta let go of me. " however, he hopes in time that they may work out together at another time, because he feels they truly are made for one another. It's a very beautiful and sad song :(

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2012-04-01 04:48:00

I think every song has a different meaning to everybody, and I think there is a higher meaning to it just like everybody else is saying, but I think there's a very simple interpretation of what the lyrics mean. I think there's a man, who's in love with a woman and wants to get married, but he doesn't think he's ready. He needs to get out and live his life before he makes such a commitment to stay with her, only to get tired and leave later on and break her heart. He's trying to make her understand that being with her is his only kind of heaven, but he hasn't had enough time on earth to learn everything he has to.

U

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Unregistered 2012-03-02 06:55:32

Anyone familiar with the effects of dmt? Its a psychedellic that can cause out of body experiance, near death experiances, religous/spiritual experiances. The onset is rapid and you return to normal within 20min. Its been described as the drive by shooting of psychedllics. Your on your couch, bang your in another place and bang your back down again. I don't really think the songs about dmt but the parellels are crazy. You get so absorbed some people think they talk to god or aliens, you want to go back and experiance it again but it can be terrifiying. He could be saying ill just wait till I die to experiance this, this is beautiful and amazing but its not right. Take me back inside when the time is right.

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2012-03-01 23:22:28

"afterlife" is about a man that dies early on in his life (presumably late 20's or 30's). As he arrives in the afterlife, he looks back on what he has done and realizes that he hadn't made all the correct choices. He places a wager with god (or whomever sent him there if you don't believe in god.) saying that if he is sent back to the real world, he will make everything right.

U

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Unregistered 2012-01-02 05:29:41

I have always loved a7x, and me and my husband listened to them all the time everywhere we went. We always had such a connection to their music. Well were both drug addicts, and he ended up getting caught on a probation violation and did 6 months in jail. Well when he got out he used drugs one time and he overdosed and died. I can't express in words how much pain I feel in my heart but I'm sober because of it, and if it werent for this song I don't think I would be able to make it through the day. I just want to say this song and a7x changed my life. And because of them I will always have good memories of us singing these songs together.

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2011-12-22 21:28:43

It's about a guy who has come to the afterlife too early(he may have killed himself or had an accident or a medical problem and feels it's too early for him to be in the afterlife, he's entered heaven and is talking to god about leaving his girlfriend, family and friends behind and wants to go back to earth, but god wants him to stay, but he feels that he can't and wishes to go back and pleads to god to let him go, and tells god that he's got nothing against him but he has to go back to fix the "peace on earth"

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2011-10-13 06:05:07

I saw in an interview on YouTube with zacky v about the actual meaning that jimmy intended for, even though he said you can oviously use this song for your own meaning like relationships, but that's not what this song is about. He said it was someone who passes on earth, goes to the afterlife and realizes that they werent a great person on earth so they wanna go back to make things right an be a better berson, and then the person is asking to go back hence the "give me a chance to be the person i wanna be, ill try so hard but you gotta let go of me" and you think they are gonna get the chance but then the you hear someone laughing, so it doesn't really say if they get to go back.

U

+ 2

Unregistered 2011-10-10 01:18:56

I think it's about a relationship. That it's great, but it's come to a dead end (the amazing afterlife) and one of them decides it (a 'stuck' relationship) is not what (s)he wants in life right now. So (s)he has to break up to move on, but maybe they'll be back together later in life, because they do love each other very much and they can continue their amazing relationship after a break.
Or something.

g

+ 2

grod033195 2011-07-15 07:11:29

I feel that he is telling the loved one that she is the one but she "arrived too early" that the time is not right. That they were meant to be together "when the time is right". "Give me your hand but realize I just wanna say goodbye Please understand I have to leave and carry on my own life". He is letting her go for they will be together in the futur. Cuz the bible says in 1 corinthians 13: 4 "love is patient" that god chose that one person and if they "arrived too early" then give him/her up and wait til "the time is right"

p

+ 2

poignant_torture 2010-05-25 20:33:56

I think that you all are taking the song too literal. People die for many reasons at any age. A 28 year old dying from a heart attack is just the same as a 12 year old dying of cancer. It's tragic, yes, but because this young man happened to actually make something of himself his death is questioned. If you read in the paper that a 28 year old died of a heart attack you wouldn't question a damned thing, but because this man had the access and means to commit suicide, all of the sudden there's a question involved. Grow up.
As for the song itself, love it. It doesn't need to have the same meaning to everyone in the general public. Listen to the song, decide why you like it, decide what you take from it and leave it at that.

+ 2

avenged-meanings 2010-05-16 21:09:29

The true meaning of this song was stated on the making of afterlife video that a7x posted. The reverend tholomew plague wrote this song on his own. It is about a person who goes to the afterlife but then realizes that he is not finished his life on earth and he wants to return. In the song it seems like the man will get his wishes. The song is a beautifully written song with a challenging solo by Brian Elwin Haner Jr. (sinester gates). It is one of the most popular song by avenged sevenfold, and the biggest hit off of the album: Avenged Sevenfold.

k

+ 2

keri_khaotic 2010-03-23 01:37:50

This song may have suicidal reference, but it's definately not about the Rev.
He died because of a f*****g heart attack, if you really wanted to know you'd google it. Jackass.
This song is about a person who died/is dead, and they are writing a letter to their loved ones.
Telling them how they never belonged on earth, and how we all were never meant to belong on earth.
They tell them that they should let him go on and carry on to the afterlife where they'll finally belong.
And at the end, the person makes sure to let their loved ones know that they didn't die because of what they did, it wasn't there fault.
It's actually a beautiful song.

n

+ 2

nikkigrl 2010-01-09 01:35:10

I can't believe that jimmy wrote this and now hes dead. And this is his song cuz he is writing about his death it sounds like to me. I think he overdose I think it was suicide or murder not overdose cuz he was happy the day b4 he died he went to a wedding. So I think tht he was writing bout his life span in this song thts y everyone who hears it gets sad cuz it reminds them of jimmy and he wrote this song which was his last one. We will miss him. I wish this happened to some1 else and not him.

k

+ 2

ksandbergen670 2009-11-02 23:38:56

This song is, like someone here says, a perfect example of how people can combine different types of music to come up with an awesome melody for a song. And the author of this song tells about how he doesn't belong where his true love is when they die, which is heaven, and that he belongs in an unholy place because of what he's done in his past life. Asking for a second chance, he wants to redeem his soul and asks that when he does, when the time is right, that his true love and heaven will accept him, but that for now, they gotta let go of him. This song is a true inspiration to me, and I love it.

p

+ 2

padfoot2010 2009-10-15 01:03:25

The narrator of the song realizes he has pushed life to far. He knows that he is about to die if he keeps going like he is. In fact, he is so close to death that an angel, or possibly even God himself, is communicating with him from the other side. When he realizes he needs a second chance to fix his life, he asks the angel, or God, which ever it is, for that chance, as well as to bring him back to heaven when his time finally comes. It isn't said if he receives this chance or not. At least this is what I get out of this song.

p

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Pwnthefear 2009-07-01 18:05:49

I think this song is about a man wanting to kill himself after having a near death expeirence "falling into this place, just giving you a small taste, of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway". "i dont belong here got to move on dear" "and when i think of all the places i dont belong" he is explaining it to a loved one about suicide. Once he reaches his afterlife he realizes that he can't be without that loved one, so he pleads for a second chance at life.

r

+ 2

Rosie-Chan 2009-05-08 13:01:30

I love this song. When I first heard this song I wasn't sure if I liked it or not but after I heard it a couple times I really liked it. I didn't know what the words but once I looked them I listened to it again then thought that this person must feel really bad about something that had happened in their life. They wanted not to change it but apologise to themselves about it and maybe the people who were involved. You rock Avenged Sevenfold! Xx.

i

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IVenomI 2009-05-06 20:45:51

"Afterlife" in it's simple form is about living a good life while you can.
But in detail "Afterlife" is about a person of didn't expect to die and when he is in his Afterlife looking back on his life while alive and said "Oh crap, I was a crappy person" so he realised he has too much stuff to do on Earth so he has got to escape from his Afterlife and finsh his life on Earth, hense the lyrics "I dont belong here, I gotta move on dear Escape from his afterlife Cause this time i'm right to move on and on Far away from here"

a

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anm123 2009-02-02 22:58:59

Its deff. About departing with a really difficult and terrible addiction, because you hit rock bottom, maybe not necessarily substance abuse it could be about a girl but thinking about it being an addiction to drugs or alcohol it seems very rational. You feel a need and desire for this inanimate thing that puts you in hell when all you feel is pleasure. "got nothing against you, and surely ill miss you" obviously an addict never fully recovers, and then Loved ones back home all crying 'cause they're already missing me
"I pray by the grace of God that there's somebody listening
Give me a chance to be that person I wanna be" symbolizes exactly how a family feels when dealing with an addict, they feel like they've already lost you when youre still alive, and everyone hopes and pray all will be well but there are no promises.

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kairikate52 2009-01-31 19:04:17

I think this song talks about how a breakup is like an afterlife. He wants to escape the pain of breaking up with his girl, very much like not wanting to go to hell. He talks about how they ended the relationship too soon, like going to his afterlife too soon [arrived to early]. He also says how he hopes that later they will get back together [take me back inside when the time is right] and how it was too good to be true [perfect skies with no rain].
?

U

+ 1

Unregistered 2012-08-20 08:37:48

He died, went to heaven, found the person he loved, and realized he didn't belong there. He believes he doesn't deserve the happiness of his afterlife and though those there want him to stay he feels he can't. "i'm choking on this ecstasy" as in he can't take being happy. He talks about how he doesn't want his loved one to take it personally he just needs to go back to have another chance to prove his worth and comfort those he left behind. "got nothing against you, and surely i'll miss you... " "loved ones back home 'cause they're already missing me... " "give me a chance to be tere person i wanna be... " I love this song.

U

+ 1

Unregistered 2012-04-05 16:09:06

Afterlife I guess is when you gave the power to be the master of another life from your creation after you pass the little exam made by god for you on the earth or may be remain in hell, god created us magnificent creatures to be able to take our choice and stand for it, this is islam my friends, sry for making this song a battlefield for religions but this is my point of view: p

s

+ 1

SYNa7xZV 2009-02-06 23:59:25

Well I am gonna go with what zacky v said making this video because it resembles myself in a why and that is someone who has done all wrong in the world dies and realize he must go back and change his ways and for me I died on the inside and realized I was basing my life and ideas on wrong false ideas so I wanted to revive myself and fix those things that way I would not have any skeletons in my closet when it really is my time.

l

+ 1

LiLNiX87 2008-08-08 06:41:55

I absolutely adore this song I listen to it like a million times a day lol but. I don't think this song is about dieing I think its about being with someone and you love them soo much but its too good to be true and you want to be with them but you need to move on and get on with your own life but having that lil bit of hope that one day it will work out and everything will be all good. "Give me your hand but realize I just wanna say goodbye Please understand I have to leave and carry on my own life I don't belong here, I gotta move on dear escape from this afterlife 'Cause this time I'm right to move on and on, far away from here Got nothing against you and surely I'll miss you This place full of peace and light, and I'd hope you might Take me back inside when the time is right"

c

+ 1

case 2008-06-27 18:33:34

I'll take a nearly-literal interpretation. His girlfriend died, he almost commits suicide. When he sees the afterlife it is near-utopian but he feels out of place. He feels that it's right to live his life first.
He might be a somewhat bad person right now. He is still rewarded with the same afterlife but it doesn't feel right to him because it clashes with his currently dark personality. He wants to be a better person not because of the threat of hell, but because it will let him fit better in heaven. I'm getting that from the 2nd last chunk. It seems that in the song, whoever you are in life is who you are in the afterlife, and you cannot change while there ("Unbreak me, unchain me, I need another chance to live").

t

+ 1

Tcop21 2008-04-08 21:23:52

Sorry about that last comment, Idk what went wrong. Anyway. What I meant to type was:.
My interpretation is that someone is on the verge of dying and they have an out of body experience and see their afterlife. They think their afterlife is amazing, but they know it isn't right and that they must return back to reality. "give me a chance to be the person i wanna be, oh lord i'll try so hard but you gotta let go of me"

z

0

Zane234 2011-02-07 21:09:57

This song is very old but the comments is recently send where u've been?
Well the song is awesome but rev imagine that the afterlife is very awesome thing while it is totally not afterlife is a tourture and you guys think that death wiv morphine or nictein or any kind of drugs is honor and fame. But all that is crap.
The afterlife to those people is very suffering thing =curse. From your soul is taking from your body and when you lying in grave lonely with sound of souls all cursing you it is so scary.

s

0

Shrike 2008-05-30 20:24:16

Definitely about a relationship that just isn't right. This song has more meaning for me right now than any song has ever had for me at any other point in my life. I've just ended a relationship where love was not the problem. There was more love involved than I've ever experienced in my life, but the relationship just wasn't working for other reasons. It's like I've seen a glimpse of true happiness and bliss, but there's no way I can stay because it is simply not the right place for me right now. The breakup is the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but I truly did have to "escape" a situation where I didn't belong. Every single word in this song resonated with me on a deep level.

m

0

Moony92 2008-05-29 03:18:42

I think that the guy realized that him and his girlfriend aren't quite ready for a serious relationship. Like, he'd wanted to be with her and date her for awhile, but when he does, he realizes that it's not all it's cracked up to be. The idea of them being together seemed great, all peaceful and perfect, a type of "heaven". But when their actually a couple, it's not at all what he'd expected. Maybe he's tired of the same thing? Maybe they've lost that "loving feeling" or passion? -_- So he thinks they should move on. What he's trying to say is that old breakup cliche' "It's not you, it's ME" ;) When he says "Take me back inside when the time is right" I think it refers to when and if he's ever ready for the serious relationship with her. So obviously he still cares for her, he just realizes their not ready for a serious relationship. That's what I think, at least.
Avenged Sevenfold ftw! Love this song. ; D

c

0

carebare313 2008-05-04 23:55:31

Here's what I think. I think that he's saying goodbye to a woman that he loves because he can't be with her anymore for whatever reason. The reason seems to be here that she needs to be saved but he's not the one who can do it. She needs to want to help herself and although he loves her. He won't go. And he's telling her he's been there too and has come back- "This place full of peace and light, and I'd hope you might Take me back inside when the time is right". She may have told him to leave too. I dunno. Let me know what you think.

0

lil-emmieOXO 2008-04-30 21:19:18

In my opinion I think this song means that he basically messed up in life and he needs to move on. Basically kill himself and he wants the love of his life to join him and he believes that he has to and his loved one will not leave and do the same thing as she has some common sense and will not do the same thing. When he says 'loved onesd back home all cryin cause they; re already missin me' it is refering to death and he has chose to leave the life he has beheind.

a

- 1

A7X4life 2008-09-24 00:36:17

I think he's singing about their after life if they don't get off the path their on and he tells he hopes she'll take him back when the time is right which means when they're over their drugs and stuff and he ask god for another chance and to let go of him so he can try to get his life sraight so he dosn't have a bad afterlife like he sings about. Well that's what I think feel free to disagree but idk.

m

- 1

musefan 2008-09-20 18:58:07

I think this song is about him and his girlfriend's addiction to drugs, which he compares to heaven but really is hell, and he wants to leave her and the drugs so he can start over again, and he's begging God for a second chance. "loved ones back home" are missing him because he's not the same person he usually is, with the drugs. And he hopes they can be together again when they've got their lives on track.

b

- 2

benlc 2008-12-31 15:56:04

Hah. Everyone over-interpreting lyrics that are basically pretentious and awkward. Typical suburban teen death fetish, mixed metaphors, and poor imagery. Misplaced stresses all over the place, it feels like it has to be annunciated by a computer in order for everything to fit with the music. The lead singer is pretty talented, but he seems to be rolling his eyes in embarrassment. There are better ways to spend your time.

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