Nine Inch Nails - The Becoming...true meaning?
I believe this song is about Anakin Skywalker turning to the dark side and becoming Darth Vader. I just saw Star Wars Episode III, and I am convinced this is the true meaning of this song. Check these lyrics out and think of the meaning when you look at it in the context I have presented.
"I beat my machine
it's a part of me
it's inside of me
I'm stuck in this dream
it's changing me
I am becoming"
Anakin in manipulated into thinking the Jedi are plotting against the Republic, so in order to save it he must turn to the dark side. These lyrics speak of Anakin’s turn to the dark side. He sees the force as a “machine” (which also hints at his mechanical body he later acquires), and begins to understand that he can overcome his Jedi ways and learn to control the force rather than be controlled by it. He is becoming evil.
"the me that you know he had some second thoughts
he's covered with scabs he is broken and sore
the me that you know he doesn't come around much
that part of me isn't here anymore"
Anakin began having second thoughts as he grew older and learned of his incredible power. He was getting very confused throughout the movie, where the Jedi seem to mistrust him…and the only person he DOES trust (besides Padme), reveals himself to be a Sith. He sees that the Jedi order is holding him back, and has left scars that he cannot repair, and the Jedi way makes him weak. He knows he’s stronger then that. He understand that ultimately he must follow the ways of the Sith in order to save his wife, Padme, so he turns against the Jedi order and even takes on a new name, Darth Vader. The part of him that was Anakin Skywalker isn’t here anymore. After his fight with Obi-Wan, he is left to die and he’s covered with scabs, he is broken and sore. This is the final straw, and all that was once good in him has almost diminished.
“all pain disappears
it's the nature of
of my circuitry
drowns out all I hear
no escape from this
my new consciousness”
He can feel the full power of the dark side now. After he gets his mechanical suit he feels unstoppable. He feels no pain, it is his nature as a Sith lord. He knows there’s no turning back once he learns Padme is dead. The dark side in him is much too strong, and he gives up all hope, thinking he’s lost everything. He is consumed with hatred. No escape from his new consciousness.
“That me that you know used to have feelings
But the blood has stopped pumping and he’s left to decay
The me that you know is now made up of wires
And even when I’m right with you I’m so far away”
He confirms that he is no longer the Jedi of flesh and blood formerly known as Anakin Skywalker. He is now mechanical and stronger than ever before. He is Darth Vader, and he is so much stronger than you that in his mind he is no where near you, even when you are clearly in his presence.
“I can try to get away but I’ve strapped myself in
I can try to scratch away the sound in my ears
I can see it killing away all my bad parts
I don’t want to listen but it’s all too clear”
After he learns of his son, Luke, Anakin Skywalker tries to emerge from Darth Vader, but Vader won’t have it. He is constantly struggling with his feelings, and even if he wanted to turn back, he has committed himself to the dark side. It drives him crazy with confusion, but he finds clarity in the dark side. He sees that the dark side has made him stronger, killing away the bad parts. You don’t know the power of the dark side, he must obey his master. He might not want to listen, but it is the only way he knows. The dark side is all too clear for him.
"hiding backwards inside of me
I feel so unafraid
Annie, hold a little tighter
I might just slip away"
Anakin still hangs on though. In a way, even though Vader understands he must follow the path of the Dark Lord of the Sith, he cannot bring himself to fully extinguish the Anakin within him. Fear is a path to the dark side, and the good inside of him is unafraid. That is what makes it able to hang on, because Anakin would never succumb to fear. Anakin, or "Annie" must hold on to who he has become. Vader can’t bring himself to let his former self totally slip away. It's an inner struggle.
"it won't give up, it wants me dead
and goddamn this noise inside my head"
Since he can’t bring himself to destroy the good within himself, the evilness in him starts to make him confused. The good is constantly trying to come out, and trying to destroy Darth Vader, or the dark side, that has almost totally consumed him. Vader sees this voice as trying to kill the Vader part of him, and he curses it, because he knows he can’t destroy it. It's killing and tearing him up from the inside.
It must be true, it all makes perfect sense.