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[Tlatz]

Daniel...thank you SO MUCH for sharing your beautiful and thoughtful take on Permanent(as well as A Daily AntheM). I couldn't agree with you MORE. Just reading your post made me cry. The absolute feeling and truth in "Permanent" is what today's music is sorely LACKING. Thank GOD for David. He's set the bar for bringing back honesty/feeling/truth back to the music business. They'd better ALL take note.

[anne]

Daniel,
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful post, especially for the interpretation of "still you say" - man, and I thought this song was poignant before! That makes it all the more powerful. And I agree that the follow-up of A Daily Anthem is perfect. It makes the whole listening experience even more moving when you take those two songs together.

[nihow]

Thank you all for the kind and welcoming words. I have been obsessed with understanding (again, probably overthinking) this beautiful song since the first time I heard it, and it is an emotionally painful song to hear every single time. I would never want to put words into David's mouth, really this is just what *I* get out of the song, and why it affects me so strongly. (well, actually it's just a small piece of why it affects me so strongly; I'm still trying to figure the rest out). I'm just glad my thoughts didn't seem to offend anyone, as I imagine this song must be an intensely personal and unique experience for anyone who appreciates it as much as we all obviously do.

Just reading the many wonderful responses here has actually deepened my appreciation for this song and made me aware of even more subtle nuances to its meaning.

Vicki, since you ask, I completely agree with you:

"I want to add that I also feel it means he will always be there for his brother. He is not alone. I mean besides the infinite love and brotherhood bond. That he would come running if need be. "

I have no idea what sort of religious beliefs David may or may not have (though honestly with a song like this I would find it difficult to believe he's not a deeply spiritual person), but I picture Adam trying to comfort his brother with a sentiment along the lines of something like this:

"I can bear this. I don't want this and it isn't easy and I may be torn from you physically, but I can bear this. What I cannot bear is the thought that you will suffer so terribly thinking you are all alone if I am physically taken from you, and just know that it my heart is with you now and forever - permanently. And I am a permanent being, and the love and the bond between us is permanent. If I am taken from you, it will only be my body that is gone, never my heart. And even if I am physically unable to hold your hand, I am still here for you, always."

John, thanks for the advice - believe me, I'm trying to get my hands on the pre-idol stuff!

Ladybird, regarding your statement:

"I have thought what it is in David, that makes people fall in love with him, especially women."

Well, I'm certainly not 'in love' with the guy, lol, so I don't think I would go that far (I'm pretty certain I'm only wired to fall in love with women But I think I know what you mean. David is such a great guy and a kind soul. One of the things I most admired about him on Idol was his huge heart, and I mean that both in the sense that he always seemed so humble and truly caring about the feelings of others, and also in the sense that this guy had good old fashioned all-american work ethic and the ability to get back up on his feet even when he'd been knocked down (which Simon and company certainly were all too willing to do). I think he would be a stellar example for kids today to emulate. And also, I kinda *do* love the guy (not in the way some of you gals on here do though ) ; he seems like a genuinely likeable and nice person, which makes a real change. Most artists with his brilliance are usually total jerks, but he is just the opposite.

Wait, I take back that last part. There *are* no artists with his brilliance. He's one of a kind

Daniel..As a singer notice the lengthy vocals at the end..They remind me or emulate the sound of swaying clanging bells in a bell tower celebrating the Anthem.

Thank you all for the kind and welcoming words. I have been obsessed with understanding (again, probably overthinking) this beautiful song since the first time I heard it, and it is an emotionally painful song to hear every single time. I would never want to put words into David's mouth, really this is just what *I* get out of the song, and why it affects me so strongly. (well, actually it's just a small piece of why it affects me so strongly; I'm still trying to figure the rest out). I'm just glad my thoughts didn't seem to offend anyone, as I imagine this song must be an intensely personal and unique experience for anyone who appreciates it as much as we all obviously do.

Just reading the many wonderful responses here has actually deepened my appreciation for this song and made me aware of even more subtle nuances to its meaning.

Vicki, since you ask, I completely agree with you:

"I want to add that I also feel it means he will always be there for his brother. He is not alone. I mean besides the infinite love and brotherhood bond. That he would come running if need be. "

I have no idea what sort of religious beliefs David may or may not have (though honestly with a song like this I would find it difficult to believe he's not a deeply spiritual person), but I picture Adam trying to comfort his brother with a sentiment along the lines of something like this:

"I can bear this. I don't want this and it isn't easy and I may be torn from you physically, but I can bear this. What I cannot bear is the thought that you will suffer so terribly thinking you are all alone if I am physically taken from you, and just know that it my heart is with you now and forever - permanently. And I am a permanent being, and the love and the bond between us is permanent. If I am taken from you, it will only be my body that is gone, never my heart. And even if I am physically unable to hold your hand, I am still here for you, always."

John, thanks for the advice - believe me, I'm trying to get my hands on the pre-idol stuff!

Ladybird, regarding your statement:

"I have thought what it is in David, that makes people fall in love with him, especially women."

Well, I'm certainly not 'in love' with the guy, lol, so I don't think I would go that far (I'm pretty certain I'm only wired to fall in love with women But I think I know what you mean. David is such a great guy and a kind soul. One of the things I most admired about him on Idol was his huge heart, and I mean that both in the sense that he always seemed so humble and truly caring about the feelings of others, and also in the sense that this guy had good old fashioned all-american work ethic and the ability to get back up on his feet even when he'd been knocked down (which Simon and company certainly were all too willing to do). I think he would be a stellar example for kids today to emulate. And also, I kinda *do* love the guy (not in the way some of you gals on here do though ) ; he seems like a genuinely likeable and nice person, which makes a real change. Most artists with his brilliance are usually total jerks, but he is just the opposite.

Wait, I take back that last part. There *are* no artists with his brilliance. He's one of a kind

Daniel..As a singer notice the lengthy vocals at the end..They remind me or emulate the sound of swaying clanging bells in a bell tower celebrating the Anthem.

[CookRoxMySox]

Thank you so much for your indepth insight...and I couldn't agree with you more. The most powerful part of that song in my opinion is when the words reflect Adam talking to David and offering reassuring words. David is very emotional and is very much an open book for his fans which is displayed in this song.

David speaks the truth and his songs are very easily internalized by many who are going through personal tragedies in their own lives. He is a wonderful person and possess a quality that is rarely found in today's music industry. He is not only a musician and a singer, he is a true artist.

[Antoinette]

Daniel, I agree with your interpretation of the song. The first time I was able to sit and actually listen to the lyrics, I caught the shift in who was speaking too. I also immediately thought it could be heard as his brother speaking the same words back to him and it also makes me cry. David is an amazing lyricist and this song is one of the most heartfelt I've ever heard.

[Dc_1234]

Daniel that was very well put and beautifully said,
thank-you for sharing your thoughts..it really
makes me think about things like this more.

[Kyrie1012]

Filled with pain and feeling helpless in the face of his brother's illness, this line isn't just a continuation of the theme before, it betrays the inner demons that David is wrestling with in this whole situation, and that is pivotal to what comes next, which is I think the most brilliant and heart-wrenching aspect of the song:


"But still you say
Will you think that you’re all alone when no one’s there to hold your hand?
When all you know seems so far away and everything is temporary, rest your head
I’m permanent"

Notice that the voice changes on the line "but still you say" - maybe I'm crazy but I think this is no longer David talking, but rather Adam talking back to David, using the exact same words, in a total reverse, as if Adam is now conversely trying to comfort his brother (and the nobleness of spirit and pure love one brother can have for another just absolutely wrenches me and rings so true). It's as if Adam has seen the pain and helplessness David is wrestling with and ignoring his own suffering is reaching out to comfort his brother, to reassure his brother that even if he is torn away and no longer there to physically hold his brother's hand that the love will endure no matter what distances in space and time may be forced on the two brothers by things neither of them can control.

Daniel you hit this one spot on. Your interpretation is exactly how I heard this song from the first time.

If I might, I would like to add to the section I have quoted above.

It seems to me that in addition to letting David know that it's okay that he isn't physically there with him, this is almost like Adam's response to Life on the Moon. David is out there alone, possibly needing someone to hold his hand on his uncertain journey, and Adam would also be there, physically for him if he could, but he will always be there spiritually. This is also the only time that "I'm permanent" is repeated twice. As if they are saying it to each other.

I don't have any brothers or sisters, so I don't know first hand what this kind of connection is really like. David's words and the emotion in his voice give me a real sense of what it must be like. This is another thing that makes him so amazing.

[dckatia]

This is a great thread. I'm going to come back and read it all soon.

This really is a great thread! Daniel, thank you for starting it with your insightful interpretation of 'Permanent'. I hadn't caught that part of the song, but it always kind of stopped me there and now I know why. I get the shivers everytime I hear that beautiful song and I can't help but think how calming it must be to Adam to have a brother who loves and cares for him so deeply.

And, that reversal is also done in "Kiss on the Neck" which I find intensely captivating. The song starts out with him talking about the girl who has her backbone in her purse and so many other girls in Hollywood are just like her. But the song takes a twist and he realizes it's him with his backbone inside her purse and he can't believe he can get a girl like her. David is a genius and the beauty of his soul shines through in everything he does. And, David Cook fans are the best! David brings out the best in us.

Daniel..As a singer notice the lengthy vocals at the end..They remind me or emulate the sound of swaying clanging bells in a bell tower celebrating the Anthem.


Daniel..As a singer notice the lengthy vocals at the end..They remind me or emulate the sound of swaying clanging bells in a bell tower celebrating the Anthem.

OMG! The bell tower analogy is brilliant!!! I couldn't put my finger on what the lengthy end of this song reminded me of and that's it!!! Thanks to all who are posting on this thread!!! I'm falling more in love with this record with every post!

[NEMOCougar]

Daniel, I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your insight on the song Permanent and where it took you. I, too, found the turn of the song in "and still you say" to be incredibly moving and important in this song. It turned the song from simply being about David's viewpoint to one of both he and his brother, both reaching for a deeper expression of their love for each other as a result of their individual sufferings.

And thank you for that observation about the relevance of following that song with 'A Daily Anthem'. Yes! Life affirming, inviting listeners to "hold on to anything at all" and sing along "at the top of your lungs".

Daniel, I hope you'll continue to hang around here and share your voice in this community.

EDIT: If you are a new reader of this strand, I hope you will keep reading. There are many beautiful and moving stories and thoughts here, even though this strand is more than a year old. Also, there are resources about Permanent (interview links, videos, etc) posted later in this strand, but they are not being updated. However, a sister strand at David Cook Official (DCO) is frequently updated, so if you are looking for a current/ongoing discussion of Permanent, you may want to check it out at this link: Permanent Discussion on DCO
-- see you over there! NEMO April 4, 2010

I agree completely Movin' -- including the thanks and welcome to Daniel. There have been a couple of us PM'ing about this interpretation of Permanent and kinda waiting for it to "break" -- when people had had time to really hear the song and listen to it several times and then suddenly hear it a new way. It's such a moment of realization. Personally, I believe there is at least one more equally inspirational way to "hear" the turn in Permanent. 'nough said. Perhaps the mark of a great song --- that we all hear what we need to hear.

For this reason, I don't think people really need to know the back story to appreciate Permanent. People like knowing the back story because the song is so striking that it makes them wonder about it. I've felt like I should explain a little (and warn in some cases) to people I've gifted the record to. But nearly everyone can identify with this kind of pain -- I immediately thought of a friend whose loved one has Alzheimer's -- it's an amazing song for that situation and many others.

I too just love that ADAM follows Permanent on DCTR. It's such an uplifting resolution. I'm sure most of you have heard/read David explain that he wrote it quite awhile ago (a couple of years) and that it wasn't meant for Adam at first -- when it was done, he realized the thing with the capital letters and decided that was appropriate. Somehow, I even like it BETTER knowing this -- it's just an affirmation and celebration of life from David. We'll be singing along for a long time.

[Word_Nerd_DC_Rul...]

Thanks Daniel for that very interesting interpretation. It is interesting how you think Adam is talking to David in part of the song. Never really thought about it before. Now I really cannot listen to the song without tearing up.

[Kasey]

what a great analysis. i totally understand what you are saying. i think permanent is one of THE best songs on his cd. its so chilling everytime i hear it. i never thought about the part of adam singing back to david. good thought.

once again, thanks!!


and welcome to "The Dash"!!!!

[DC for PS]

Great analysis.

I've been listening to the song and trying very hard to understand the whole meaning of the song.

I agree with you about the second part which was repeated...that it is meant to be Adam speaking back to David.

And like you, Permanent is not my favourite track on the album but it's a very emotional song. I've listened to Permanent on my earphones, at night...just before I slept. It was so silent and the song just penetrates through. So powerful and emotional. I just felt a stinging feeling and watery at the corner of my eyes the minute he sang that sentence "And so I ask oh god is there some way for me to take his place".

[Proud Cookie]

First of all, thank you SOOO much Daniel for posting this wonderful interpretation. We all really appreciate your input and I personally agree with everything you see in "Permanent." I hope you don't mind if I add a bit of insight of my own...

Does anyone think that maybe the first "I'm permanent" is reflecting David's pain that he may be on Earth longer than Adam will (GOD FORBID! )? Perhaps this first statement is more of a desperate, tortured cry; it might emulate his fear of outliving his beloved brother. And then the second, "I'm permanent," where it may be interpreted that Adam is speaking to David... what if he's responding to David's previous quail? What if Adam is telling his little brother that he's not going anywhere, that he'll never leave him, even if death takes him bodily (I pray to God I'm not making a premonition- if you're offended by my insight just stop reading this or tell me that you think I'm stupid for even making such a suggestion-- don't worry, I won't be hurt)?

This is just my own thoughts; nobody has to agree with them.

[amor825]

^^ That is the beauty and test of poetry. It affects us in a personal manner, and most often in a way different from what the author intended. Even if we know that this song is for Adam, David's thoughts while he wrote it could be different from how we the audience would interpret the song. And maybe even David would be surprised at how the song's meaning turned out after he wrote it. Really, the song could have different meanings at different times, and would touch us at difffrent levels. And this would not be the end. The meaning of the song would evolve.

That's why it is brilliant poetry. Simple but brilliant.

[Daniel B]

nihow said:

"Daniel..As a singer notice the lengthy vocals at the end..They remind me or emulate the sound of swaying clanging bells in a bell tower celebrating the Anthem."

I 100% agree, I think that is definitely the effect he was going for. There is lots more to say about 'A Daily AntheM' than just that it's the perfect life-affirming follow up to 'Permanent'. I see this song as becoming one of the cornerstones of David's live performance - I somehow cannot imagine him closing out his set with any other song (and I bet the live performance is longer). I can visualize the entire audience in tears, singing along, hands waving back in forth in joyful time with the 'bells'. The timing, cadence and melody of this song reminds me a bit of the Bon Jovi song 'Bells of Freedom' which is off their 'Have a Nice Day' cd, another song I really love, but I love ADAM even more (probably because of the emotional overtones). It's a spectacular song.

Kyrie1012:

I agree with you that the fact 'I'm permanent' is repeated twice is not a mistake and I think you're right. I am over-analyzing this song to death, but I don't think any of the lyrics are accidental or coincidental, I think David is a master artist who has crafted an intricate message within an intricate message on this song.

NEMOCougar:

"Personally, I believe there is at least one more equally inspirational way to "hear" the turn in Permanent. 'nough said."

lol, now I've been obsessing over the song even more, as i have the feeling that you're right and I'm trying to see it. I don't think anything is random in this arrangement and I've been thinking about another striking lyrical 'clue' which is the difference between the first line of the song and the last one:

"Is this the moment where I look you in the eye?
Forgive my broken promise that you’ll never see me cry"

as opposed to:

"Is the moment where I look you in the eye?
Forgive my promise that you’ll never see me cry"

Notice that the first line references a 'broken promise' but the second omits the word 'broken'. I think there are several ways to interpret this, all of them poignant and meaningful. In the first instance it seems clear to me that David is saying to his brother something along the lines of "I know I promised I wouldn't cry because I don't want to make this harder on you than it is already, forgive me because I just can't help but cry right now." Whereas the second part could be interpreted a number of different ways. For me, personally, the more I've thought about the interpretation that resonates most for me is that it's once again Adam, speaking back to his brother in the same words, or nearly the same words, to say something like "I know this is hard for you but I promised I wouldn't cry and I'm going to stick to that because I don't want you to mourn me but rather celebrate me' and then this provides the perfect context for 'A Daily AntheM' to soar into being.

Well, I haven't really worked it out yet, but I'm sure there's something to that difference in the first and last lines, I just haven't quite figured it out yet. Anyone else have any ideas? Besides the fact that I'm a little crazy/obsessed and reading too much into this song?

Again, thank you guys for being so nice and welcoming to me. I can tell I'm going to be spending a lot of time on this forum, and I'm excited to see David blossom into a megastar. This last week is just the very beginning (and honestly I have no idea why anyone would by a Beyonce album, so I can't understand why she got such massive sales but that's not my genre so I don't really care. All I care about is that David did very very well, oh and I'm glad Nickelback did well too as they also rock - just not quite as awesome as David )


Lol, had to also respond to this by Proud Cookie:

"Does anyone think that maybe the first "I'm permanent" is reflecting David's pain that he may be on Earth longer than Adam will (GOD FORBID! sad.gif )? Perhaps this first statement is more of a desperate, tortured cry; it might emulate his fear of outliving his beloved brother. And then the second, "I'm permanent," where it may be interpreted that Adam is speaking to David... what if he's responding to David's previous quail? What if Adam is telling his little brother that he's not going anywhere, that he'll never leave him, even if death takes him bodily"

That's *exactly* what I get out of it, you've perfectly described what I see in those lines. And as for the second part of what you said:

"(I pray to God I'm not making a premonition- if you're offended by my insight just stop reading this or tell me that you think I'm stupid for even making such a suggestion-- don't worry, I won't be hurt)? "

I know, this song is so intensely personal and special that I feel invasive even trying to analyze it and figure out what it is that moves me so much, but I can't stop myself. It's like amor825 says:

"That is the beauty and test of poetry. It affects us in a personal manner, and most often in a way different from what the author intended. Even if we know that this song is for Adam, David's thoughts while he wrote it could be different from how we the audience would interpret the song. And maybe even David would be surprised at how the song's meaning turned out after he wrote it. Really, the song could have different meanings at different times, and would touch us at different levels. And this would not be the end. The meaning of the song would evolve."

and I agree 100%, which is really saying something because I'm *not* a poetry type of guy. But if ever a song was poetic and multi layered with meaning, this song fits that bill. If the purpose of music is to convey emotion from one human being to another, we all have different life experiences but there are also common and shared experiences and emotions we can each relate to in our own ways. I just love this song

[Proud Cookie]

nihow said:

"Daniel..As a singer notice the lengthy vocals at the end..They remind me or emulate the sound of swaying clanging bells in a bell tower celebrating the Anthem."

I 100% agree, I think that is definitely the effect he was going for. There is lots more to say about 'A Daily AntheM' than just that it's the perfect life-affirming follow up to 'Permanent'. I see this song as becoming one of the cornerstones of David's live performance - I somehow cannot imagine him closing out his set with any other song (and I bet the live performance is longer). I can visualize the entire audience in tears, singing along, hands waving back in forth in joyful time with the 'bells'. The timing, cadence and melody of this song reminds me a bit of the Bon Jovi song 'Bells of Freedom' which is off their 'Have a Nice Day' cd, another song I really love, but I love ADAM even more (probably because of the emotional overtones). It's a spectacular song.

Kyrie1012:

I agree with you that the fact 'I'm permanent' is repeated twice is not a mistake and I think you're right. I am over-analyzing this song to death, but I don't think any of the lyrics are accidental or coincidental, I think David is a master artist who has crafted an intricate message within an intricate message on this song.

NEMOCougar:

"Personally, I believe there is at least one more equally inspirational way to "hear" the turn in Permanent. 'nough said."

lol, now I've been obsessing over the song even more, as i have the feeling that you're right and I'm trying to see it. I don't think anything is random in this arrangement and I've been thinking about another striking lyrical 'clue' which is the difference between the first line of the song and the last one:

"Is this the moment where I look you in the eye?
Forgive my broken promise that you’ll never see me cry"

as opposed to:

"Is the moment where I look you in the eye?
Forgive my promise that you’ll never see me cry"

Notice that the first line references a 'broken promise' but the second omits the word 'broken'. I think there are several ways to interpret this, all of them poignant and meaningful. In the first instance it seems clear to me that David is saying to his brother something along the lines of "I know I promised I wouldn't cry because I don't want to make this harder on you than it is already, forgive me because I just can't help but cry right now." Whereas the second part could be interpreted a number of different ways. For me, personally, the more I've thought about the interpretation that resonates most for me is that it's once again Adam, speaking back to his brother in the same words, or nearly the same words, to say something like "I know this is hard for you but I promised I wouldn't cry and I'm going to stick to that because I don't want you to mourn me but rather celebrate me' and then this provides the perfect context for 'A Daily AntheM' to soar into being.

Well, I haven't really worked it out yet, but I'm sure there's something to that difference in the first and last lines, I just haven't quite figured it out yet. Anyone else have any ideas? Besides the fact that I'm a little crazy/obsessed and reading too much into this song?

Again, thank you guys for being so nice and welcoming to me. I can tell I'm going to be spending a lot of time on this forum, and I'm excited to see David blossom into a megastar. This last week is just the very beginning (and honestly I have no idea why anyone would by a Beyonce album, so I can't understand why she got such massive sales but that's not my genre so I don't really care. All I care about is that David did very very well, oh and I'm glad Nickelback did well too as they also rock - just not quite as awesome as David )


Lol, had to also respond to this by Proud Cookie:

"Does anyone think that maybe the first "I'm permanent" is reflecting David's pain that he may be on Earth longer than Adam will (GOD FORBID! sad.gif )? Perhaps this first statement is more of a desperate, tortured cry; it might emulate his fear of outliving his beloved brother. And then the second, "I'm permanent," where it may be interpreted that Adam is speaking to David... what if he's responding to David's previous quail? What if Adam is telling his little brother that he's not going anywhere, that he'll never leave him, even if death takes him bodily"

That's *exactly* what I get out of it, you've perfectly described what I see in those lines. And as for the second part of what you said:

"(I pray to God I'm not making a premonition- if you're offended by my insight just stop reading this or tell me that you think I'm stupid for even making such a suggestion-- don't worry, I won't be hurt)? "

I know, this song is so intensely personal and special that I feel invasive even trying to analyze it and figure out what it is that moves me so much, but I can't stop myself. It's like amor825 says:

"That is the beauty and test of poetry. It affects us in a personal manner, and most often in a way different from what the author intended. Even if we know that this song is for Adam, David's thoughts while he wrote it could be different from how we the audience would interpret the song. And maybe even David would be surprised at how the song's meaning turned out after he wrote it. Really, the song could have different meanings at different times, and would touch us at different levels. And this would not be the end. The meaning of the song would evolve."

and I agree 100%, which is really saying something because I'm *not* a poetry type of guy. But if ever a song was poetic and multi layered with meaning, this song fits that bill. If the purpose of music is to convey emotion from one human being to another, we all have different life experiences but there are also common and shared experiences and emotions we can each relate to in our own ways. I just love this song

Oh, *whew*! Yay, I'm not crazy after all! Thanks Daniel for the corroboration; it's good to know that my speculations aren't fruitless.

[Daniel B]

Oh, *whew*! Yay, I'm not crazy after all! Thanks Daniel for the corroboration; it's good to know that my speculations aren't fruitless.

I can't guarantee that you're not crazy - but at least you're not *alone* in being crazy as it's possible I'm crazy too. But at least we're crazy together on this one, lol.

[Proud Cookie]

I can't guarantee that you're not crazy - but at least you're not *alone* in being crazy as it's possible I'm crazy too. But at least we're crazy together on this one, lol.

Haha, lol; that's us, the Crazy Cookies! Thanks. Did I mention how much I love this site?

[fatherknowsbest]

[quote name='Daniel B' date='Nov 23 2008, 07:18 PM' post='522163']

I cannot sing this song because it literally emotionally is too powerful and I'm left in tears every single time (I can get to the line "oh god is there some way for me to take his place" and I lose it). I'm not the crying type, believe me, but this song just wrenches me.

First, this song is deeply, deeply personal. I'm a little in awe of how completely emotionally honest this song is, and I can't think of another song where the artist has so courageously and unflinchingly shared something so intimate, personal and painful.

"And everything, it will surely change even if I tell you I won’t go away today
Will you think that you’re all alone
When no one’s there to hold your hand?"

"I know he’s living in hell every single day
And so I ask oh god is there some way for me to take his place"

The words speak far more eloquently than I can, but this for me is one of the powerful lines of the song. Maybe I'm allergic, but for some reason my eyes get watery at this point

But seriously, look at the beautiful sentiment expressed here: He's not asking for it to just go away, he's making an earnest plea that if this must happen to someone, to let it happen to him and not to his brother. And these are not just words; you can honestly feel that he means it with every ounce of his soul.

"And when they say it’s all touch and go I wish I could make it go away"

Filled with pain and feeling helpless in the face of his brother's illness, this line isn't just a continuation of the theme before, it betrays the inner demons that David is wrestling with in this whole situation, and that is pivotal to what comes next, which is I think the most brilliant and heart-wrenching aspect of the song:


"But still you say
Will you think that you’re all alone when no one’s there to hold your hand?
When all you know seems so far away and everything is temporary, rest your head
I’m permanent"

Notice that the voice changes on the line "but still you say" - maybe I'm crazy but I think this is no longer David talking, but rather Adam talking back to David, using the exact same words, in a total reverse, as if Adam is now conversely trying to comfort his brother (and the nobleness of spirit and pure love one brother can have for another just absolutely wrenches me and rings so true). It's as if Adam has seen the pain and helplessness David is wrestling with and ignoring his own suffering is reaching out to comfort his brother, to reassure his brother that even if he is torn away and no longer there to physically hold his brother's hand that the love will endure no matter what distances in space and time may be forced on the two brothers by things neither of them can control.

"I’m permanent"

An affirmation of the love the two brothers and their family share and that nothing in this universe or any other will ever sunder that, no matter what.

"Is the moment where I look you in the eye?
Forgive my promise that you’ll never see me cry"

Again the lyrics speak for themselves here far more eloquently than I ever could (true throughout the whole song, and I hope I haven't cheapened how exquisite and deep this song is by my ramblings). I'm left physically shaken by the end of the song, so much emotion is channeled through David's voice and this spare, beautiful arrangement.

So, sorry for the really really ridiculously long post, but I have been thinking about this for a while and I just wanted to get some opinions from other fans of David Cook (and this forum seemed like a good place to find a few fans of Cook )

Glad you're here, Daniel. Not ridiculous or too long at all! You have so eloquently expressed an interpretation lurking in my head now since the middle of November. I, too, get emotional when I hear Permanent, as I am living the same scenario with my older sister. I think David is a musical and lyrical genius and Permanent is a sincere, poignant moment in an eclectic cohesive album that I need to listen to in its entirety every time I listen because when one song ends, I hear the beginning of the next song even before it begins!

I thought about the verse when David sings -

"But still you say
Will you think that you’re all alone when no one’s there to hold your hand?
When all you know seems so far away and everything is temporary, rest your head
I’m permanent"

I don't think you're crazy at all. I think it very could be Adam comforting David and sharing his emotional struggle, just as David did in the first verse. Comfort coming from both sides of the emotional exchange, if you will. The other thing I thought of is maybe since David says 'O God is there some way for me to take his place', maybe he is hearing God's answer to his prayer in that verse.

The beautiful thing about a song so profound as this one? Two interpretations, both beautiful, both giving me comfort in my own struggle dealing with that awful disease and the even more awful treatment. If you haven't already, Daniel, try to get hold of Axium's cd 'The Story Thus Far'. (Check Walmart.com for mp3's) There is a song called AC, an earlier expression of emotion towards Adam's situation featuring David's lyrical genius at a much younger age. A little more anger and frustration than poignancy in AC, but I sometimes feel those emotions, too, at this time in my life, dealing with this struggle.

Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. I hope you will do so again in the future.

Joe

[NEMOCougar]

Glad you're here, Daniel. Not ridiculous or too long at all! You have so eloquently expressed an interpretation lurking in my head now since the middle of November. I, too, get emotional when I hear Permanent, as I am living the same scenario with my older sister. I think David is a musical and lyrical genius and Permanent is a sincere, poignant moment in an eclectic cohesive album that I need to listen to in its entirety every time I listen because when one song ends, I hear the beginning of the next song even before it begins!

I thought about the verse when David sings -

"But still you say
Will you think that you’re all alone when no one’s there to hold your hand?
When all you know seems so far away and everything is temporary, rest your head
I’m permanent"

I don't think you're crazy at all. I think it very could be Adam comforting David and sharing his emotional struggle, just as David did in the first verse. Comfort coming from both sides of the emotional exchange, if you will. The other thing I thought of is maybe since David says 'O God is there some way for me to take his place', maybe he is hearing God's answer to his prayer in that verse.
The beautiful thing about a song so profound as this one? Two interpretations, both beautiful, both giving me comfort in my own struggle dealing with that awful disease and the even more awful treatment. If you haven't already, Daniel, try to get hold of Axium's cd 'The Story Thus Far'. (Check Walmart.com for mp3's) There is a song called AC, an earlier expression of emotion towards Adam's situation featuring David's lyrical genius at a much younger age. A little more anger and frustration than poignancy in AC, but I sometimes feel those emotions, too, at this time in my life, dealing with this struggle.

Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. I hope you will do so again in the future.
Joe

There you go, Daniel -- Joe has described the other way to interpret the speaker shift that I was alluding to above. Some people will only hear David speaking to Adam throughout; hinging on "And still you [Adam] say. . ." some people will hear a conversation between David and Adam; some people will hear a conversation that starts between David and Adam, and then between David and God:
"I know he’s living in hell every single day
And so I ask oh God is there some way for me to take his place
And when they say it’s so touch and go I wish I could make it go away
But still you [God] say:
Will you [David] think that you’re all alone when no one’s there to hold your hand?
When all you know seems so far away and everything is temporary, rest your head
I [God] am permanent"

I started with the first and most common interpretation -- a couple of days later -- about the 30th or 40th time I heard the song, it suddenly changed for me to the second interpretation - I was stunned. And eventually I was again surprised when I heard the third one too, just like you Joe. I hesitated to post it in detail, though -- I told myself that I didn't want to rob people of their chance to discover the alternatives on their own, but in reality I just wasn't as willing to risk putting it out there as David and you guys were. All three ways to "hear" this song are beautiful and comforting, as you said. So true, what's been written on this thread and others -- it's not so much a matter of what David "meant" as it is what the song means to us -- individually. And I think he'd be thrilled that it DOES mean so much to so many. A very special song of David.
NEMO Cougar