Tool’s “Forty Six & 2” Lyrics Meaning
“Forty Six & 2” is said to be based on the teachings and belief systems of psychoanalyst Carl Jung (1875-1961) and esoteric, New Age researcher Drunvalo Melchizedek. Both of these individuals are intellectuals, ones whose philosophies, if meant to be fully understood, require disciplined study. Most of us listeners don’t have time for that, and therefore let it be known that this analysis is not based on any type of advanced study of either of those individuals. But most simply explained, what Maynard James Keenan and the crew are speaking to is the concept of evolution.
Or more precisely put, the lyrics are partially based on a motif centered on the scientific theory of evolution. Said theory posits that advanced forms of life evolved from much simpler organisms. So that would be why for instance the vocalist refers to himself as once ‘crawling on his belly’, like a reptile, if you will.
But going back to the philosophies of Jung and Melchizedek, what Maynard is actually alluding to is the concept of spiritual evolution, so to speak. That is to say that, as presented, he is stuck in a confused, insecure, delusional state. And it would be such an idea that the metaphor of ‘crawling on his belly’ is meant to point us to.
So now, the narrator wants to experience a “metamorphosis” or, as explained earlier, evolve. And as further implied by the bridge, the change he idealizes basically centers on a desire to live a more diverse emotional life.
So perhaps it can be logically concluded that when the vocalist refers to wanting his ‘armor softened’ and what have you, what he is truly faced with, premise-wise, is a severe care of introvertedness.
Song’s Title (“Forty Six & 2”)
Lastly concerning the title, “forty-six and two” is a mathematical equation. This equation is based on the teachings of Melchizedek. It also alludes to the notion of some human beings being on a higher evolutionary level than others due to possessing more chromosomes. So as used in the song, it encapsulates the aforementioned state that the vocalist wishes to achieve.
Summary
“Forty Six & 2” tells the tale of someone dissatisfied with the life he is leaving. Owing to this, he wishes to, as he perceives it, evolve or transform into a higher state.
When was “Forty Six & 2” released?
Being the third single from Tool’s album Ænima, Zoo Entertainment made this track public on 17 September 1996. And it did manage to appear on a couple of Billboard charts. For example, it peaked at number six on the US Hot Rock Songs listing.
Tool
Tool is a band which, since 1995, has consisted of the following musicians:
- bassist Justine Chancellor
- drummer Danny Carey
- guitarist Adam Jones
- vocalist Maynard J. Keenan
The latter three are the co-founders of the act.
It is that quartet which is individually credited as the writers of “Forty Six & 2”. They are also collectively acknowledged as its co-producer. They accomplished the latter task alongside David Bottrill.
C’mon. The song title isn’t about math. It’s biology. And looking forward to and wanting to feel and experience the next evolution of humans. 46 chromosomes, and the next 2 if that were to happen, would be another kind of life form. If it were to happen before a catastrophic asteroid collides with earth, or the sun burns out, or anything else that may happen that would be the end of humans and many other animals and life forms.
Also the song itself was released in early 1998. It was on the album that was released in 1996.
I want to feel that next evolution of what it means to be human. I hope to reach it before the earth or my body are no more
close but it is about the 46 or 23 pairs of chromosomes and the 2 sexes. It is about a psycological awakening, finally moving to a new state of being. See my shadow changeing streatching up and over me, Soften this old armor Hoping I can clear the way by Stepping through my shadow Coming out the other side ;I’ve been crawling on my belly
Clearing out what could’ve been
I’ve been wallowing in my own chaotic
Insecure delusions
I wanna feel the change consume me
Feel the outside turning in
I wanna feel the metamorphosis and
Cleansing I’ve endured in
The more I’ve listened to this song over the years. To me personally it relates to ego death and rebirth.
less human, more god.
OK… this was written by some random person that has no inner connection to what Maynard was thinking when he wrote the song. IMO, the crap about being introverted and dissatisfied is really shallow. The idea behind rock songs is to let listeners make their own interpretations of meanings, but there’s no doubt this song is primarily about ascending to a new plane and finding a new meaning beyond the normal human experience. ’46 & 2′ refers to humans that have extra chromosomes and are genetically superior. It’s a metaphor for wanting to find a new meaning above what you are capable of – striving to find a new existence. It’s a mind-blowing song, really.
So this is a few months later, but…I like your interpretation. I’m no philosopher, but finding a higher ground is always an excellent approach to life, and if you’ve been given a couple of extra chromosomes, then good on ya’. And frankly, I like the version these kids do better than Tool’s version, at least in video form. Good energy, especially the drummer (Danny Carey’s kid?)
Maynard saying crawling on his belly isn’t good to say. This was the curse satan got in garden of eden. And we are not angels and man and woman got different consequences for disobeying. This plus two chromosomes is Satan’s way of trying to exalt men above God! But if you believe in Jesus then you will get a new body that hasn’t been corrupted by sin. Then go to paradise and go back where Adam and eve left off
I guess when the Bible said your christ mingled with the heathens, so he cud save them, means you gotta witness for the lort. A song about evolution persay and you go all Jesus freak on here. Not everyone believes in your sky daddy, okay. It’s preachy and your putting yourself above all others by thinking because you believe some book is the inspired word of god, your gods chosen ppl and your gonna go to heaven while the rest of us god-less sinners burn in hell. 😂okay. I’d rather spend an eternity in hell with satan than 5 minutes with an immoral thug like your sky daddy. When referring to the garden of Eden……..now who was deceived???? It was Eve, yea, and when you’re deceived, are you aware you’re deceived? No….. okay, is being deceived a sun? No, okay then why wud eve be held responsible for being deceived if we aren’t aware we’re being deceived? God told Eve she wud surely die if she ate the fruit. Satan asked what god told her, she says that if she ate the fruit, she’d surely die. Satan says, what??????? No, you will not die if you eat the fruit, but you will become like god yourself. Which was the truth. God was the one that was trying to deceive. They way I see it, satan was telling the truth. Ohhhhhh but you say spiritual death. No, that’s not what god said. He said surely you will die. Gods the bad guy. Why not place a different tree in garden. Why tempt? You can take your biblical bullshit and go somewhere else with it. Talking bout Jesus on a site that tells meaning of a heavy metal song about evolving. Wtf?????
Are you trying to convince me or you?
Heavy Metal man with possibly still sporting a Mullet,,, has spoken….Let it be written, let it be done!!!
This has to be the best thread ever to exist on the internet lol
It wasn’t fruit that Eve consumed….nor Adam
So who has just gone “all preachy”? Wow, dude. Why are you so angry and insulting because his beliefs differ from yours? Do you verbally accost Buddhists too? How about Hindu?
Or is your vitriol saved only for Christians?
At the end ofbthe day, the whole point of all religions is to do the right and moral thing. That can’t be done with the anger you clearly have inside you.
Make peace with yourself, brother. It’s the only way to enlightenment.
Sometimes I dress up like a carrot and bury myself in my yard. Apart from that it is a great song
Oh man that’s awesome 😆😆😆
To start Dazza marten that’s 2 things , funny & at the same time disturbing 🤔. But I’ve listen to this song from the day it was released ! And I’m still listening to the album today ……
To start Dazza marten sh-t ..2 things , funny & at the same time disturbing 🤔. But I’ve listen to this song from the day it was released ! And I’m still listening to the album today ……but anonymous still has the my loose vote 🤣🤣
man, i just love reading comment sections… but the song’s an absolute banger, no matter whether it’s meant in a religious way or not. also: dazza? where you get dat carrot costume from?
I looked up the meaning of this song because i had no idea. But, besides the religious comment, you guys are super awesome, i love every explanation of it. I haven’t been a Tool fan, just because i never heard that song until recently. But, i really enjoyed your explanations and will reread all thise comment later when I’m roasted, who knows, even the religious one might make sense later. Thanks for the good read all.????????????????
Let’s put it this way. Ity’s art,and as such,it’s open to interpretation. It means different things to diff, ppl. No one’s right,no ones wrong.
Maynard had a child in August 1995. This song is about his fears about becoming a parent. 46 is the chromozones of the baby, and 2 is the two adults who now have to get their shit together and raise a child.
“Join in my, join in my child” is probably a reference to the impending birth.
If you want to be a good parent, you need to authentically put the child first, and stop clinging to your child-free (and possibly irresponsible) ways. That what’s the shadow is – it’s his old habits that are incompatible with being a proper parent.
That post, to me, makes the most sense above all the other interpretations…except for the carrot who burys himself in his backyard.