The song is for members in service such as myself and what it refers to for me. Is what we actually do. We fight battles and kill enemies. And so it's viewed as an honorable thing that people are thankful for. But we take lives. (The wrong side of heaven) but the killing we do is for our country our fellow service members and our families (the righteous side of hell) it's like looking at our actions from opposite points of view. And how that can tear at someone.
the problems comes when we realize the killing and the sacrifices we made are not for anything but a lie. they sent us into Iraq knowing the reason was bs and then when people started to question the reason they got called traitors and unamerican. hell I was even told the country would be better off if I had died in Iraq simply for questioning the reason I was sent to war.
Fellow veteran as well. I've got survivors regret and fight my patriotic indoctrination (manipulation). We forwarded a tyrannical governments agenda for less than minimum wage. We were used brother. They used our patriotism for propaganda and used propaganda in the media to manipulate us. Now they're shitting on us at the VA. Playing games to cost our brothers and sisters their lives at their own hand. It's all a political scam. The system is a joke. Our oath is to constitution and country. Not a government of tyrants. Politicians all the way down to the idiots in badges enforcing tyranny as law. The only threat to this country are the corporate puppets.
Thank you, I hate people like this. They hear heaven and hell and immediately go to religion. That has nothing to do with this song which you realize if you watch the music video they put out.
Y'all really aught to start watching the official music videos and have the lyrics on the side. The official video will likely explain many of your questions.
As far as what you guys couldn't figure out what it was pertaining to, I believe that it was referring to soldiers and how the things we do while at war are not "heavenly things" but these acts of violence we commit are for righteous reasons. Taking true evil out of the world. Now I'm neither Christian nor am I religious but I grew up in a Christian house and learned all that stuff. So we as soldiers, I'm an Infantryman in the Army with 4 combat tours, go to war, kill, and do what we have to to protect ourselves and those back home. One of the ten commandments is: Thou shall not kill, so you kill you're on the wrong side of heaven. But you are taking evil out of the world, you're killing for righteous reasons therefore the righteous side of hell.
Wow you make more sense than, well these guys....I haven't the heart to say every Christain is an idiot. I have met some who really do make sense & who have no fear to look for answers to their questions.
I've asked a couple of pastor's about that because I was in Afghanistan in 2005 and they told me it was different to be in war and in civilian life you don't kill for fun but for survival
I think you're focusing more on the Hell part. In my opinion, I think he's speaking about the duality of man. He's talking about walking the fine line between Heaven and Hell. From what I can tell, he feels trapped between the two, like purgatory. It's like he's saying that he's too evil to be accepted in to Heaven, but he's also too righteous to be accepted in to Hell. From everything I've read and seen about this song, it was written from the point of view of military veterans. It's trying to convey their internal moral struggle with having to commit terrible acts to prevent other terrible acts.
wrydrune I have no idea if we are related. It isn't really common as far as I know, but it's common enough that I've seen other people with the same name that I wasn't related to.
That's probably why they make videos in the first place....in fact so far many people have been telling them that....though I said they needed to do some research before bashing a band & their music.
Well said! I'm a Christian! An Army Ranger......Iraq was a rough place that tested every mans faith! We were definitely on the wrong side of Heaven......and the ritchous side of Hell! Cuz, who knew what was actually right there? Nobody did?! And I lost men there! Good men!
John Kohler I respect you and for all the things you have done to protect me and everyone in are country and happy to see you understand the message the band was giving us the lyic version does not do you good but if they whiched the music video they would understand it better
My dad was in Iraq for a few years I don’t remember what he was doing there mainly because I never really wanted to talk about his work when he was home
If you watch the actual music video the song makes a lot more sense. He’s talking about the horrors of war, and the conflicting feeling of killing people for what you are told is a righteous reason. He’s feeling torn because he’s doing evil things for “the greater good”, hence why he’s on the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell. It’s a very simple song really.
USMC LOBO CGJ I agree that the music video is an emotional one. It made me cry the first time i heard it. I did not serve overseas myself, but my great grandfather was in the Army in WWII. My great uncle in the end of Vietnam. Both were fortunate enough to make it back home safe. God bless the troops of the United States Military for the sacrifices they make for the sake of our freedom and safety. May those who succumb to battle be guided safely into Gods arms, so that they may continue to protect and watch over us in the afterlife.
Hell yeah it is this one and gone away these two music videos make me relive everything that I've done or that I've seen or that I've experienced in some way shape or form and one thing it does say more is not glamorous more words for the strong-willed it's survival of the fittest and I for one being a Marine it's hell because we're the first ones in last ones out and you have to set aside seeing your brothers go down until finally it just eats away at you completely as I said this music video along with gone away perfectly explain and show what we go through maybe not to the extent that everybody needs to see but it gives people insight as to the struggles we veterans go through everyday Semper Fi brother
The whole wrong side of heaven, righteous side of Hell thing I think of the soldiers this song is written for are on the "good" side or "righteous" side of the wars they're fighting but when the get back home or "heaven" they're treated like the lowest forms of humanity sometimes
UnchartedLand_ yes I think your right, they kinda missed the idea on this one. I think he is speaking in the perspective of a soldier. He said he spoke to god, and she sounded a lot like me. He also also says, I saw the devil today and he looked a lot like me. He is taking others lives, in a since, playing "God" and the "Devil". He can't seem to understand if he is right or wrong for his actions, therefore he is in the middle, "the wrong side of heaven, the righteous side of hell".
Hunter Noble Yeah I also thought about the reason they called God she because they're referring to the soldier's wives that can't live with them anymore
Tbh, you both read into this too spiritually. The song itself is about the life of a soldier and the struggle of opposing morales that come along with that life. On one hand, the soldier is fighting for freedom (righteous side of hell) but at the cost at taking human lives if necessary (wrong side of heaven). The whole Heaven/Hell theme isnt literal, its metaphorical. Great job though good song choice.
@@thefloridaman41 agreed, a big reason why i enjoy FFDP so much. I actually live next to an air force base and members of my family have served so I can relate on a pretty personal level
The official video really puts this song into perspective as it also has a text based message through the video detailing the statistics about veterans in the US and the troubles they go through. Really DEEP song.
FFDP does alot with our veterans, I feel like when he says “righteous side of hell”, hes referring to soldiers having to do awful things for a good cause, the safety of the people back home
THIS. The words... have a MUCH different meaning when you see the video. I personally can't listen to the song anymore without seeing the video in my mind. *THAT* is the power of the song. Lyric video... horrible choice to try and interpret it.
Cause if you listen to these guys reactions... they have zero clue what the song is actually about. The song is great, the Video of the song makes the song even better. The words alone, do not mention military in any way.
The author of this song is looking at this through the eyes of a soldier who has been been through the worst a war can throw at you. He comes home to find he's not really accepted here, because he has taken life and he is feeling lost. I am a veteran myself and I actually "get" this song. Life is one of the greatest gifts that God gives us, second only to Redemption. When you take a life you have wasted one of God's gifts. In the same sense if you think about it to the point of him being just North of Hell. Which in turn is the wrong side of Heaven. Hopefully this made sense.
Alright they made the song for veterns if you watch the official video the question your asking will be answered. The band does alot of military shows an this particular song is for people to be more aware of our veteran suicide rates an them not getting the proper care for what they been through but i highly recommend anyone to watch the official video
Yes. They need more recpect than any body. I feel that this song is about nother other than the vets they just need to watch the video. This bamd respects the vets and tell there story how hard it was to be there amd came home to nothing. Bigkat tv needs to learn that religion isnt everything in songs listen to what the message is sayimg in the songs then you will know why they write the songs that they play.
True, I’m a die hard Christian and I love metal music and I interpret it both ways but he’s a little too up tight on his lyrical interpretation of these songs
@@willlambert1809 see I get how Christian's can interpret it that way I get it the thing is if most would do 5 minutes research on 5fdp before opening their mouth they could see the true meaning. In this songs case it wouldn't have taken that long it would have only took looking at the actual video instead of the lyric video
Pastor- You're taking it literally. That's a problem most folks in the clergy have. Most metal is metaphoric. It's made to make you have to think about it internally, on an emotional level. In this particular song you've gotta view it from the perspective of a soldier who has been in battle a number of times, and the confusion created in their minds. A lot of soldiers, especially those with PTSD have a hard time with things they've witnessed,or been involved with in war time. Trying to figure out how to deal with what's constantly on their minds. So ..on top of the song being metaphoric one has to consider the perspective from which it comes....the soldier, desperate to find words..that either won't come .or come out twisted when they try to express their pain. It could also be seen as a desperate attempt at inner peace. In a nutshell the soldier is really messed up inside...losing it, and pleading for help before he snaps. At the end of his rope(as it were).
It's a military tribute. The Wrong Side of Heaven and The Righteous Side of Hell is the line that a soldier walks every day. Killing people and committing brutal acts in the name of peace.
Nathan McCauley I completely agree the lead singer, can't remember the name has said so himself. It's the choice of if it's right to kill someone that's done wrong to you, and or your enemy, nemesis, etc
This song is written from someone who is a combat veteran. You have to look at it from that angle. It’s about questioning yourself and your beliefs after the things you have seen and done after combat. You must watch the video that puts this song in context
Exactly. Unless you've been there, which I haven't but have friends and family who deployed, I was discharged to soon, you have no right to criticize wht they have been through. This music video is from a veterans aspect.
Whatch the video clip, it's a lot easier to understand the mindset behind the lyrics. Also it would be helpful if big cat, who apparently has listened to them before did some research.
Here’s some songs I can think of that have religious themes that y’all might be interested in •12 Through 15 - Mayday Parade •Chop Suey - System of a Down •Question! - System of a Down •Holy - Pvris •Evil Angel - Breaking Benjamin •Chapter Four - Avenged Sevenfold •The Dark of You - Breaking Benjamin •Forest - System of a Down
I believe that when he talks about “I spoke to God today” and refers to her as female, he I talking about a girl that he views as perfect. I see this song as a military tribute, which could be supported by the music video which talks about veteran suicide. He, in my opinion, is talking about how war changes a man. He has been through traumatic experiences and now that he’s home, he is having a hard time adjusting to the civilian world and his wife’s needs. She is confused on how he is not who she married and now he is confused on how he’s changed so much. Seeing her as perfect means that he is at fault, which would make him devil to his “God”. The wrong side of heaven means that he is not seeing himself as good enough to be in heaven, aka the civilian world. The righteous side of hell being the atrocities that he’s committed for good damning him at home. He has done something in the name of God and country and now he feels that he is damned for his sins.
"Wrong Side of Heaven and Righteous Side of Hell" can be interpreted as Doing bad things for a good cause but because of these bad things, the person is a bad person. The whole gender switch of God is people's most caring and loving person in their lives are their mothers (more often than not) so when Ivan (FFDP singer) says "I spoke to god today, she says she's ashamed. what have I done, who have I become" he means that his mother is ashamed of what he's done and the person he came back home as. When Men join the Military their fathers are the ones to most likely push them into joining which is why they (FFDP) set him up as the "Devil". When Ivan says "I spoke to the Devil today, he swears he's not to blame", He is saying that his father is the reason he (the narrator) is fucked up but Father never forced him to join followed by the next line of the narrator feeling the same.
I love this song and this band. The man in the song has come to a crossroads having done evil things for what he is told is a righteous cause. The official music video depicts a squad of soldiers that were in the Middle East together. Four men that call each other "Brother". Three of them end up falling apart, losing a piece of themselves once they return to civilian life. They find themselves "On the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell" after taking lives to save live. By the end the one of them that is doing alright for himself after having his life saved by his brothers in arms takes one of them off the street (because the three in question are all homeless), saying to him, "You saved my life, Brother." It's almost like the old addage, "Being caught between a rock and a hard place." Our men and women in uniform are called upon to do things that for many are against personal and religious beliefs. But to take a life of someone who is threatening our freedom and way of life is considered noble. Sometimes the mind does not see it this way. So they end up in an internal battle between their actions and their beliefs. Hence, the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell.
The song was entirely written about the effects of PTSD. Just like everything a person says in their day to day life, context is quite literally everything. Perhaps if they watched the actual video, rather than the lyrics they would have understood that.
It's kind of in the lyrics: "Right or wrong, I can hardly tell". It's about soldiers in war, internally conflicting with what they're doing. They are told to kill the enemy, but know killing is wrong. Watch the video. That should clear it up somewhat. Or Google the meaning behind "Wrong Side Of Heaven".
The context of this song is incredibly important to know what this song is about. This is about the military. This song, in the verse, talks about how God is whatever we need at that time. Sometimes God takes that fatherly approach or God takes a "maternal" or gentle approach. I love this song and how 5FDP are advocates and supporters of our troops. God bless our troops
micky maust Exactly, Thanks man...This was kinda Frustrating to watch being that it's not that complicated of an explanation. I think you nailed it pretty Good. We're just Guys who aren't doing exactly what the Christian bible suggests we do to enter heaven, while not being inherently evil at the same time.
Daniel Pering I've never seen the video and I understand it very well. you've got to be in a certain mental state of understanding in life, but the meaning is there.
Templar 1312 If you feel you understand it enough, then I shall not pester you about watching it. There are more important things in life after all. I shall then give you the meaning conveyed by the official video. It is about veteran members of the U.S. Military and their struggles after returning from tours of service, the struggles they face, and about the compassion and honor we should collectively have regarding them. My Father served 26 years in the Navy, my Uncle served 2 tours in Vietnam with the Army Air Cavalry, and my Great Uncle (may he rest in peace) served with the 101st Airborne during WWII and fought at Bastogne. Our Military deserves recognition and honor for their sacrifices and service.
I always interpreted the lyrics "Wrong side of Heaven, and the Righteous Side of Hell" as doing horrible acts for a righteous cause, such as killing in the name of God.
angel calderon Yeah the way they decided to take this one literally and bring up gods gender had me scratching my head. Especially since they did such a good job with the symbolism in Devil in I and not just focusing on the chorus.
I would recommend when you can to watch the video for this song, as a former service member this song reaches to me in a way that others like me will understand. We get sent to a conflict to do the "right thing" but in order for these right things we sometimes have to do the wrong thing. Its almost Machiavellian in nature...
Absolutely watch the video. I should have clarified. If you think of it in the perspective of war. It makes perfect sense. I feel like it was Ivan Moody's intention. Don't get me wrong they definitely have some blasphemous songs, But I don't believe this was their intention with this one.
The basic description of the main chorus "The Wrong Side of Heaven / The Righteous side of Hell" would be Purgatory. Mentally stuck in between both because they put all their lives into keeping us Americans safe and nothing back from us except ridicule and in some ways hatred. You guys really should watch the actual Music Video it will give a lot of incite.
Personally I know it’s about soldiers and the duality of the situation “discarded” soldiers are in. But PERSONALLY I relate to this song due to the fact (May sound a bit “emo” but trust me I’m not lmao) I’ve generally always been more attracted to the darker side of things but I also have an extremely strong sense of justice, willing to help anyone in need in my own way, but considered by most to be more dark and cynical, so I understand DEEPLY with the phrasing “wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell”
It's about the moral gray zone. I think it's meant to symbolize the possibility to do what is traditionally right, while still feeling like you did the wrong thing. Take soldiers in war for example. Also I think it plays with the Idea of being abandoned by society, god, family...etc
This song is dedicated to our men and women fighting and dieing overseas for our freedoms we enjoy and when they come back life isn't the same they knew the song is about ptsd and the suicide rate of our soldiers I strongly suggest watching their actual music video because it gives alot more context to the lyrics
The music video follows a unit of soldiers and has facts about mental illness once they return back to civilian life. I think you nailed the meaning at the end. The men and women enlisted have their hearts in the right place but war is a brutal thing where they may have done some unimaginable things
I'm no hero I see as someone who doesn't look for trouble or a vigilante. I'm not not made of stone, I feel refers to "I can't just see this and do nothing". "Arms wide open" I think is how he presents himself during judgement, as in "here I am!" Seeing the devil today and looking away is during an emotionally down time for him when he looks in the mirror. As far as speaking to God, he could have been praying. I could almost write a thesis on this song from several points of view.
As a Christian metal head I liked this song but saw it as a bit blasphemous but it was still a great song when I watched the video it put it in a better, more realistic and deeper context. You really need to watch the video. Basically stop thinking about it as theological and think of it as physical, emotional and mostly mental (ie PTSD) and you will see the true deep and positive meaning behind the song!
Im going in Indianapolis and i say yes go. You cant experience all that God is wanting to tell us if we don't open our minds and hearts to everything. You never know what God is able to reveal by stepping out of our comfort zone.
This song is about the paradox of war, this song was aimed at combat veterans who are returning, and feel alone. The spiritual meaning behind the song is that of a soldier who has had to kill many men, asking himself questions such as, “Am I a bad person?” “Did I do what was right?” This is present in the lyric “Right or wrong, I can hardly tell.” The title of this song is in its entirety a paradox. “The wrong side of Heaven and the righteous side of Hell.” The title is a metaphor for I’m in between the good and the bad. Meaning the person had to do bad things for a good reason and yet they live with the horrific consequences of those actions, and they want help coping they need help, and they make it known through this lyric “arms wide open, I stand alone.” They need help because they are the ones staying up all night with haunting nightmares of their own choices flashing before them, they think to themselves “What if I didn’t pull the trigger on that child?” That child had a family, that child was deceived, and It was either them or me. These are the questions some veterans ask themselves every day. “What if?” Or “How could I have known?” “Why did I do it like that?” War is not glory, it is far...far from it.
did you watch the offficial video for this. . . the song carries so much more weight when paired with the video. . alot of their song s and almost all video relate back to military service . . the video for this song is an attempted wake up call for people ,to take notice of what vetereans go through .. not only in combat but also when they come home. . i do suggest for anyone who hasnt seen the official video to go watch it . . but be prepared to get punched in the feels
I spoke to god today and she said that she's ashamed. He was talking about a loving wife being ashamed of her husband about doing the things that he does and she doesn't know why he does it
This song hits home for me and tears me up every single time. I grew up in a old fashioned Baptist church, and joined the Marines out of high school. I fought in desert storm and Somalia. Because of what I have been through these lyrics make total sense to me. I have never felt more alone than when I was out of the military, and had nothing in common with anyone I knew previously. Society makes you question the things you have done. You fight for your country and after it is all said and done you question the right and wrong of it all. Hence the lyrics, wrong side of heaven, meaning I have seen and done things that couldn't possibly let me be in Such a perfect place. I have brought violence and destruction, but the reason for that was to protect the things I love the most. Hence the lyrics, righteous side of hell. Because society says that's where violent monsters belong. To truly grasp the meaning of this song, you have to have put on that uniform, picked up that weapon, and found yourself in some of the most hellish spots on earth.
TO BIGKAT TV: You have CLEARLY picked a song by its TITLE ONLY with out doing any homework on it...THIS IS A SONG TRIBUTE TO BRING AWARENESS OF VET SUICIDES AND THE STRUGGLES WE GO THROUGH EACH DAY... WRONG SIDE OF HEAVEN MEANING: away from family friends home. RIGHTEOUS SIDE OF HELL MEANING: fighting killing war and the STRUGGLES on the field of battle and the spiritual/mental/physical war once back home for both the military personnel and his/her family... YOU HAVE CLEARLY FAILED YOU GOAL TO MINISTER TO THE YOUTH YOUR TARGETED AUDIENCE BECAUSE OF YOUR POOR JUDGMENT AND MISTAKE. DO YOUR HOME WORK AND NOT JUST PICK TITLES OF SONGS AND I KNOW YOU PURPOSELY CHOSE THE ALBUM VERSION OF THIS SONG: BECAUSE YOU SEARCH THIS SONG ON TH-cam YOU WILL SEE 99% OF THE VIDEOS OF THIS SONG ARE ACTUALLY OF THE ACTUAL VIDEO OF THIS SONG AND SHOWS ITS MEANING... I don't blame GOD for me not going back to church I blame PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO CAN CAST JUDGEMENT AND DO IT CALMLY WHILE SMILING AND NOT KNOW A SINGLE THING OF THE PERSON'S STRUGGLES OR WHAT THEY BEEN THROUGH... ITS TIME YOU REMAKE THIS VIDEO AND MAKE A SINCERE APOLOGY TO YOUR VIEWERS AND ALL MILITARY PERSONNEL BOTH PAST AND PRESENT... BECAUSE WE ARE THE ONES WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO LIVE FREELY AS YOU DO... AND YOU WANT TO DOWN A TRIBUTE SONG THAT IS TRYING TO BRING AWARENESS TO OUR STRUGGLES... I AM COMPLETELY OFFENDED BY YOUR STUPIDITY AND LACK OF MORAL COMPASS.. AND I HOPE YOU NEVER EVER CAST JUDGEMENT ON ANY ONE OR THING AGAIN WITH OUT DOING YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST.... Remember you sleep at night because brave men and women stead fast to do harm on your behalf... SUA SPONTE
Thank you for your response. BigKat picks the music, and I “react” as opposed to review. This often results in me making errors as I am normally hearing the song for the first time. With songs like this and based on feedback, we consider re-addressing the relevant issues. I understand the value of our military, having served four years active duty with the Marine Corps. I hope you can see our heart is in the direction of healing and reconciliation.
This is the first video I've seen from you and u should strongly consider redoing this after watching the video and understanding the song. This will be a very offensive response to so many due to it being so strongly misunderstood
John L ok, no disrespect meant, but this song can be taken and applied many ways, not just people who have served,....im transgender and the words in a way kinda remind me or us in the transgender community of the way some of kinda feel at times....i hope I'm kinda making sense in what I'm meaning.
Thank you for stating my opinions for me, they definitely need to redo this because honest it is the people like this that make me not go to church, they have no idea what the song is about they go say some stupid offensive shit and we all sit going, "just stfu already, piss off" not to be mean but if your going to do a video (especially ffdp just because of how all there songs are about commen current issues) you need to do your research first, before going out and saying all this crap, so seriously you need to redo this vid
It’s about the aspect of taking a life for your country. The Bible says thou shall not kill but select few kill to protect the lives of others. In some view they are condemned and in other they are saving lives
Understood that this is a musical review. But you missed everything by not watching the video. It ties alls content together and reveals most things you missed. Even in a biblical and moral message
The song is about military service members and the lyrics "wrong side of heaven and righteous side of hell" are about the bad things one does in service such as killing(I'm not gonna delve into civilian casualties on this just yet) the enemy combatants which puts you on the "wrong side of heaven" as "thou shall not kill" is a common theme within christianity(this can be applied to every Judaio-Christian religions more or less) thus meaning the actions committed in relation to serving are sinful and evil. "The righteous side of hell" is being the "evil" killer for a good cause. In the video its evident when one of the US soldiers takes a bullet and his squadmate returns fire while another moves him to safety. "Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a brother"[paraphrasing] I find fits this because 2 men put their lives on the line to rescue their comrade in arms. This means that killing the enemy combatant is not a sinful act because it's to preserve a friendly life. Thus not damning the "speaker"(the person who's perspective we are in) to hell for this act. To summarize: God is ashamed of the "speaker" for killing someone but the devil is saying he isn't to blame for what happened. The "speaker" is internally conflicted by whether he is doing bad things for good reasons or is just doing bad things. This is a common thought process among religious combat-arms service members. This song attributes a portion of veteran suicides to this internal struggle in the original video by stating "somewhere in the world a veteran is wondering why...." which I roughly take to mean "why do my countrymen hate me and avoid me" as well as "why is God punishing me for the things I've done in goodwill"
Like others have mentioned. The video for this song gives you so much context that your missing just looking at it from a spiritual stand point. Please watch the video
Y’all need to react to the song WITH the video. The video goes with the song and visa versa. I’m only two minutes in as of now, but when he refers to God as a she, it’s believed that he is referring to his wife and/or daughter. The story is about a squad of combat veterans taking casualties and then it showcases what has become of the squad once they’re stateside. It’s also listing very real statistics about how poorly we treat our veterans and the Hell they have to go through home and abroad. I seriously recommend that you watch the video. It adds a lot of depth and meaning to the already very deep and meaningful song.
The wrong side of haven the righteous side of hell is talking about doing bad things for good reasons like taking a life to save thousands or letting someone die to help them
The "wrong side of heaven" is basically saying that he's believing that what he's done is the right thing to do, but that he can't help but feel it's wrong and the "righteous side of hell" is looking at what was done as the necessary evil. The song was made to help bring attention military veterans struggling with PTSD, those who were sent to combat where they had to kill but are doing so to protect the lives of us here. When he said he turned away from the devil when he saw him, it was because he saw himself in what he looked at and couldn't bear to face it, essentially keeping himself in denial, in line with those struggling with the experiences of what they've done and not being able to live with themselves after.
This song was written for veterans who suffer from PTSD to enlighten those who do not have it of the struggle of the torn past and how hard it is to overcome the things they have done in the name of freedom and honor. This song is deep and sends a profound message to the American public to keep our veterans in their mind and that we need to do more to help them.
My own interpretation is that god(she) represents a mother unconditional love and how we have let her down by our actions in war. The devil to me is us looking in the mirror and seeing our action play before us and not accepting it's our fault so we turn away from it. I dont know maybe that's just me.
When I had cancer this was my song accurately depicting how things were. I was in hell through all of it but I was putting up a fight and knew I was in hell but didn’t deserve to be there and I knew I wasn’t in the fun part of any heaven. Also, the lyrics are important but the music video will also answer a lot of the questions. We can always speculate what lyrics mean but I learned in this situation, for me, hell was cancer and being sick in hospital and people calling me a hero bc of the fight I put up. I did that to stay alive. This is a great song!
Watch the music video because this review is disrespecting the sacrifices all our veterans make for this country and the lyric video does NOT help you understand the song. Shameful just shameful...
I personally believe the song is about perception more than what seems to be a religious aspect it would seem to me they're saying no one in any situation is purely evil or completely ritcheous the world is not black and white there is no sure fire answer for your problems in life and so many are consumed by "am I doing the right thing" and are we doing it for the right reason there are so many aspects to life and so many different variables the answers seem limitless. "But what exactly is the right answer?" Or are we even asking the right questions. There is a lot to consider.
This song is written from the perspective of being a soldier and having to as you are ordered whether that be right or wrong and the mental anguish the bad you have to do as soldier causes you.
I've seen alot of people address one particular part of this, as such I will speak of the other part I have seen. This being that he spoke to god and the devil, god sounding like him and the devil looking like him. This being followed by him looking away. This is not necessarily an arguement of "god and the devil are imaginary" it is instead that god sounds akin to him in the way that he speaks of doing good in the will of his country. Fighting for freedom and happiness, and in turn for good. The devil looks like him in the way that to those he is fighting he is the evil one, it is a commentary of relative morality. Meaning how could one be so sure of absolute morals when two sides of a single conflict regard each other as immoral, and themselves as moral. For any that have something to add to this I would definitely welcome a reply, no matter the intent.
In the chorus “wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell”, in the context of the song, he’s a soldier coming home from war, dealing with all of the demons he has about all of the bad things he’s done for all of the right reasons, so he feels as though he’s stuck between heaven and hell, that’s the meaning of the video the song portrays
I know this song is being a soldier and I feel like it’s about not really knowing about being good or bad. Kind of like the moral gray area because society tells you what you’re doing is right but you are committing the same evil as your enemy. Hence the meaning the wrong side of heaven being society’s distorted meaning of righteousness. And the righteous side of hell meaning you are committing the same evil but you feel you doing it for a good reason. And the person singing this is in that moral tough spot. I feel it doesn’t have that much to do with with religion as you might think. It’s more social than anything
Figured the "pastor" would take this route. Allow me to spell things out for you sir. This song is sung for veterans. The line "wrong side of heaven...righteous side of hell" is not speaking spiritually AT ALL. What they are speaking of here is when a soldier may look back at what happened to them or what they did on deployment. Take Chris Kyle shooting the child with the explosive. Chris and others could see themselves as being neither good nor bad since a single instance could be taken both ways. Wrong side of heaven---->shot a child Righteous side of hell---------->Saved his comrades lives. Also you mentioned stoning of false prophets in the old testament, yes but the OT was written for the Jews and we are not governed by those laws, yet they are more of a guideline for us. On the same point there is no mentioning of prophesy he is more speaking of hearing good and bad.
Please watch the official video....it makes me cry every time. Maybe incorporate watching official videos with listening and reading the lyrics. It can tell a story different from just listening to the lyrics.
It's like the guys in the reaction video went in completely blind trying to interpret the song it needs the video the official video that goes with the song for the full context to be appreciated and the song to be understood
The song is written about those out there fighting a war. And the veterans who doesn't get help when they come home. "wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell" meaning they are told they are fighting a war for the purpose of good. But when they are down there fighting they come to know that it's wrong "evil" but at the same time they're doing their duty as a soldier. They can't tell anymore if what they're doing is wrong or right. Therefore "righteous side of hell"
The meaning has a lot of interpretations for those that havent served or been in war. I served as a medic in the South African Border war in the 80s.... I went in a Christian and started questioning God after what I saw and did... The wrong side of Heaven and the righteous side of hell, to me, means I feel after what I did in battle puts me on the wrong side of Heaven, however because it was ordered and a matter of survival and according to the Bible the Law of the Land, Im on the righteous side of hell as Im still, in essence a good person and not evil. So for me, I feel I have to forgive myself first in order to get to the right side of Heaven... 30 years later and Im still fighting the war. I will always be on the righteous side of hell which means I havent and never will cross over that line into hell. Although all who have and who still are serving go through hell every day. As for Ivan referring to God as a woman, I feel he says that in the hope that God has empathy and understanding for those who do what they have to in war. Just my thoughts.........
Pastor I'm Reverend Lyon. The content is a song about Our vets. to understand the story you need to watch the music video.. My dad was a Vietnam veteran and his whole life he swore to us boys he was going to hell for what he did over there. And every day he begged and pleaded to God for forgiveness. For breaking the commandment of thout shall not kill. Now with that in mind re watch that video. Because i bet their are 1000's of vets out there. Who feel that they're Going to hell for what they have done. Because they feel like They are on the wrong side of heaven. Why did he fear he was going to hell because woman and children would slap explosives to them selfs and charge service men and check points and base's my dad was in nam as a green boot 2 weeks prior to the tet offensive . my dad said that was where he earned his one way ticket to hell.
I think he is saying that he has done bad things for maybe good reasons. Where does that leave him? He has done to many bad things to go to heaven but he did them for pure reasons so he feels he also isn't deserving of hell. This is from his point of view because belief in God and repentance all sins can be forgiven. Also the God and devil voices are inside of him and it's so hard for him to tell at this point which is good and which is evil.
Michael McKee this is an excellent point because in the video it shows him as the military. He help his buddy gets shot then is left homeless. He could be talking about his hell on earth or he could talk about the fact that in the military you have to do whatever you have to do to keep your men alive even if its morally wrong.
Nick Martinez I agree. In the moment our military have to simply react. When they come home they have to somehow come to grip with everything they did or have seen. It is a very tough almost impossible thing they have to do. On one hand they defend our freedom and do what is required. On the other hand they lose brothers and at times have to kill. So when they get home I'm sure they have mixed feelings like the song describes. God bless our military for the things they do so the majority of us never have to. It's also why they should have the best physical and mental health services available to them.
Ivan and his band mates were in the service so I do think it has to do with that but I also think the song is portraying his ex wife as God because she left him and he portrays her as being too good for him and he is portraying himself as the devil because of his drug use that “tore his family apart” after he came back from the war
I know everyone else has said "you have to watch the original video" but it's true this song is for our veterans the video is very emotional. I believe the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell means our veterans would do anything to make us safe even go through hell
All do respect pastor, but for this song and a lot of this type of music you need to watch the video to the song, it will make a lot more sense to you when you see the video. You should watch their video Gone away, you will understand this song better after you watch that one.
The song is for members in service such as myself and what it refers to for me. Is what we actually do. We fight battles and kill enemies. And so it's viewed as an honorable thing that people are thankful for. But we take lives. (The wrong side of heaven) but the killing we do is for our country our fellow service members and our families (the righteous side of hell) it's like looking at our actions from opposite points of view. And how that can tear at someone.
the problems comes when we realize the killing and the sacrifices we made are not for anything but a lie. they sent us into Iraq knowing the reason was bs and then when people started to question the reason they got called traitors and unamerican. hell I was even told the country would be better off if I had died in Iraq simply for questioning the reason I was sent to war.
It reflects the conflict in our hearts trying to justify our actions in the eyes of god.
Fellow veteran as well. I've got survivors regret and fight my patriotic indoctrination (manipulation). We forwarded a tyrannical governments agenda for less than minimum wage. We were used brother. They used our patriotism for propaganda and used propaganda in the media to manipulate us. Now they're shitting on us at the VA. Playing games to cost our brothers and sisters their lives at their own hand. It's all a political scam. The system is a joke. Our oath is to constitution and country. Not a government of tyrants. Politicians all the way down to the idiots in badges enforcing tyranny as law. The only threat to this country are the corporate puppets.
And i for one thank you for your service sir
Thank you, I hate people like this. They hear heaven and hell and immediately go to religion. That has nothing to do with this song which you realize if you watch the music video they put out.
Y'all really aught to start watching the official music videos and have the lyrics on the side. The official video will likely explain many of your questions.
That’s what I was thinking
yes agreed
Very true
Agreed
It would have made more sense for them to have done that in the first place!
As far as what you guys couldn't figure out what it was pertaining to, I believe that it was referring to soldiers and how the things we do while at war are not "heavenly things" but these acts of violence we commit are for righteous reasons. Taking true evil out of the world. Now I'm neither Christian nor am I religious but I grew up in a Christian house and learned all that stuff. So we as soldiers, I'm an Infantryman in the Army with 4 combat tours, go to war, kill, and do what we have to to protect ourselves and those back home. One of the ten commandments is: Thou shall not kill, so you kill you're on the wrong side of heaven. But you are taking evil out of the world, you're killing for righteous reasons therefore the righteous side of hell.
Wow you make more sense than, well these guys....I haven't the heart to say every Christain is an idiot. I have met some who really do make sense & who have no fear to look for answers to their questions.
Dana Greene that was a great explanation. They are so pro military. Thank you for your service
Especially in this particular case, you really need to see the video for the lyrics to truly make sense.
I've asked a couple of pastor's about that because I was in Afghanistan in 2005 and they told me it was different to be in war and in civilian life you don't kill for fun but for survival
Well said brother
I think you're focusing more on the Hell part. In my opinion, I think he's speaking about the duality of man. He's talking about walking the fine line between Heaven and Hell. From what I can tell, he feels trapped between the two, like purgatory. It's like he's saying that he's too evil to be accepted in to Heaven, but he's also too righteous to be accepted in to Hell. From everything I've read and seen about this song, it was written from the point of view of military veterans. It's trying to convey their internal moral struggle with having to commit terrible acts to prevent other terrible acts.
My sentiment exactly
Mike Felty this is exactly it. Side note: we have the same last name, wonder if we are related. Felty is not to common of a name I think.
wrydrune I have no idea if we are related. It isn't really common as far as I know, but it's common enough that I've seen other people with the same name that I wasn't related to.
Mike Felty True, just something that piqued my interest. Never met another Felty on TH-cam, just fb.
Mike Felty my thoughts exactly.
Should watch the actual video. It makes the song make total sense.
That's probably why they make videos in the first place....in fact so far many people have been telling them that....though I said they needed to do some research before bashing a band & their music.
Could be they dont because of copyright reasons? Just a guess
@@87pittpens with the amount of times they pause and speak they should be able to do it free of copyright
you're missing the core of the song, wich is the struggle combat veterans go through when dealing with their actions during war
and after war when they struggle to readjust to civilian life
This song is about Veterans who fight war. Return with ptsd. Because of all the things they saw and did. Watch the video...
Well said! I'm a Christian! An Army Ranger......Iraq was a rough place that tested every mans faith! We were definitely on the wrong side of Heaven......and the ritchous side of Hell! Cuz, who knew what was actually right there? Nobody did?! And I lost men there! Good men!
John Kohler I respect you and for all the things you have done to protect me and everyone in are country and happy to see you understand the message the band was giving us the lyic version does not do you good but if they whiched the music video they would understand it better
Thank you for your service and sorry for your losses
What Bn?
John Kohler Thank you for leading the way. I know it's not worth a plug nickel coming from me, but you deserved better.
My dad was in Iraq for a few years I don’t remember what he was doing there mainly because I never really wanted to talk about his work when he was home
If you watch the actual music video the song makes a lot more sense. He’s talking about the horrors of war, and the conflicting feeling of killing people for what you are told is a righteous reason. He’s feeling torn because he’s doing evil things for “the greater good”, hence why he’s on the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell. It’s a very simple song really.
mikeandersonwa Yeah, this.^^^^^
You have to watch the official music video it's a tear jerker but it'll make a lot of sense. I can't really describe but it's a must watch video
Amen Brother, Semper Fi
USMC LOBO CGJ I agree that the music video is an emotional one. It made me cry the first time i heard it. I did not serve overseas myself, but my great grandfather was in the Army in WWII. My great uncle in the end of Vietnam. Both were fortunate enough to make it back home safe. God bless the troops of the United States Military for the sacrifices they make for the sake of our freedom and safety. May those who succumb to battle be guided safely into Gods arms, so that they may continue to protect and watch over us in the afterlife.
Hell yeah it is this one and gone away these two music videos make me relive everything that I've done or that I've seen or that I've experienced in some way shape or form and one thing it does say more is not glamorous more words for the strong-willed it's survival of the fittest and I for one being a Marine it's hell because we're the first ones in last ones out and you have to set aside seeing your brothers go down until finally it just eats away at you completely as I said this music video along with gone away perfectly explain and show what we go through maybe not to the extent that everybody needs to see but it gives people insight as to the struggles we veterans go through everyday Semper Fi brother
Semper Fidelis!
The song isn’t about religion, it’s about how veteran and active service members feel about what they have done.
I agree
The whole wrong side of heaven, righteous side of Hell thing I think of the soldiers this song is written for are on the "good" side or "righteous" side of the wars they're fighting but when the get back home or "heaven" they're treated like the lowest forms of humanity sometimes
UnchartedLand_ yes I think your right, they kinda missed the idea on this one. I think he is speaking in the perspective of a soldier. He said he spoke to god, and she sounded a lot like me. He also also says, I saw the devil today and he looked a lot like me. He is taking others lives, in a since, playing "God" and the "Devil". He can't seem to understand if he is right or wrong for his actions, therefore he is in the middle, "the wrong side of heaven, the righteous side of hell".
Hunter Noble Yeah I also thought about the reason they called God she because they're referring to the soldier's wives that can't live with them anymore
UnchartedLand_ I never thought about that! Very interesting thought
Tbh, you both read into this too spiritually. The song itself is about the life of a soldier and the struggle of opposing morales that come along with that life. On one hand, the soldier is fighting for freedom (righteous side of hell) but at the cost at taking human lives if necessary (wrong side of heaven). The whole Heaven/Hell theme isnt literal, its metaphorical. Great job though good song choice.
Yes, it is kinda my thing to read into things....but I missed it on this one!
The actual music video makes this pretty obvious. They have a lot of songs about the military and PTSD in particular.
@@Kbecker2436 honestly its a pretty tough one to understand without seeing the music video. Still great job, keep up the great work!
@@thefloridaman41 agreed, a big reason why i enjoy FFDP so much. I actually live next to an air force base and members of my family have served so I can relate on a pretty personal level
The official video really puts this song into perspective as it also has a text based message through the video detailing the statistics about veterans in the US and the troubles they go through. Really DEEP song.
The righteous side of hell is referring to the fact that he does bad things for a good cause
FFDP does alot with our veterans, I feel like when he says “righteous side of hell”, hes referring to soldiers having to do awful things for a good cause, the safety of the people back home
gpg
To really understand this song you have to watch the music video. That's also were the emotional impact is
THIS. The words... have a MUCH different meaning when you see the video.
I personally can't listen to the song anymore without seeing the video in my mind. *THAT* is the power of the song. Lyric video... horrible choice to try and interpret it.
Cause if you listen to these guys reactions... they have zero clue what the song is actually about. The song is great, the Video of the song makes the song even better. The words alone, do not mention military in any way.
To really understand that song you have to serve and deploy.
@@AnarchoPunkChad because if you haven't watched it yet I suggest you go watch it the video points out issues that our soldiers go through
@@AnarchoPunkChad sorry man I didn't read all replies my bad man
The author of this song is looking at this through the eyes of a soldier who has been been through the worst a war can throw at you. He comes home to find he's not really accepted here, because he has taken life and he is feeling lost. I am a veteran myself and I actually "get" this song. Life is one of the greatest gifts that God gives us, second only to Redemption. When you take a life you have wasted one of God's gifts. In the same sense if you think about it to the point of him being just North of Hell. Which in turn is the wrong side of Heaven. Hopefully this made sense.
This is one of those songs the video is needed to get the full effect. Makes me bawl every time
Me too
Alright they made the song for veterns if you watch the official video the question your asking will be answered. The band does alot of military shows an this particular song is for people to be more aware of our veteran suicide rates an them not getting the proper care for what they been through but i highly recommend anyone to watch the official video
Yes. They need more recpect than any body. I feel that this song is about nother other than the vets they just need to watch the video. This bamd respects the vets and tell there story how hard it was to be there amd came home to nothing. Bigkat tv needs to learn that religion isnt everything in songs listen to what the message is sayimg in the songs then you will know why they write the songs that they play.
They never served it's impossible for them to understand
This song is about veterans with PTSD who struggle with the will to live and go on
Watchful Wolf this is the problem with a lot of religious reaction videos on songs a lot don't look into what the meaning is from their side
True, I’m a die hard Christian and I love metal music and I interpret it both ways but he’s a little too up tight on his lyrical interpretation of these songs
@@willlambert1809 see I get how Christian's can interpret it that way I get it the thing is if most would do 5 minutes research on 5fdp before opening their mouth they could see the true meaning. In this songs case it wouldn't have taken that long it would have only took looking at the actual video instead of the lyric video
Pastor-
You're taking it literally. That's a problem most folks in the clergy have.
Most metal is metaphoric. It's made to make you have to think about it internally, on an emotional level.
In this particular song you've gotta view it from the perspective of a soldier who has been in battle a number of times, and the confusion created in their minds. A lot of soldiers, especially those with PTSD have a hard time with things they've witnessed,or been involved with in war time. Trying to figure out how to deal with what's constantly on their minds.
So ..on top of the song being metaphoric one has to consider the perspective from which it comes....the soldier, desperate to find words..that either won't come .or come out twisted when they try to express their pain.
It could also be seen as a desperate attempt at inner peace.
In a nutshell the soldier is really messed up inside...losing it, and pleading for help before he snaps.
At the end of his rope(as it were).
It's a military tribute. The Wrong Side of Heaven and The Righteous Side of Hell is the line that a soldier walks every day. Killing people and committing brutal acts in the name of peace.
Nathan McCauley I completely agree the lead singer, can't remember the name has said so himself. It's the choice of if it's right to kill someone that's done wrong to you, and or your enemy, nemesis, etc
This song is written from someone who is a combat veteran. You have to look at it from that angle. It’s about questioning yourself and your beliefs after the things you have seen and done after combat. You must watch the video that puts this song in context
Exactly. Unless you've been there, which I haven't but have friends and family who deployed, I was discharged to soon, you have no right to criticize wht they have been through. This music video is from a veterans aspect.
Whatch the video clip, it's a lot easier to understand the mindset behind the lyrics. Also it would be helpful if big cat, who apparently has listened to them before did some research.
Yeah, maybe do some research. Would help with understanding the lyrics.
Indeed the music video is amazing should definitely give it a watch
Arms wide open I'm not made of stone = asking for help I have feelings/I'm human
Here’s some songs I can think of that have religious themes that y’all might be interested in
•12 Through 15 - Mayday Parade
•Chop Suey - System of a Down
•Question! - System of a Down
•Holy - Pvris
•Evil Angel - Breaking Benjamin
•Chapter Four - Avenged Sevenfold
•The Dark of You - Breaking Benjamin
•Forest - System of a Down
I believe that when he talks about “I spoke to God today” and refers to her as female, he I talking about a girl that he views as perfect. I see this song as a military tribute, which could be supported by the music video which talks about veteran suicide. He, in my opinion, is talking about how war changes a man. He has been through traumatic experiences and now that he’s home, he is having a hard time adjusting to the civilian world and his wife’s needs. She is confused on how he is not who she married and now he is confused on how he’s changed so much. Seeing her as perfect means that he is at fault, which would make him devil to his “God”. The wrong side of heaven means that he is not seeing himself as good enough to be in heaven, aka the civilian world. The righteous side of hell being the atrocities that he’s committed for good damning him at home. He has done something in the name of God and country and now he feels that he is damned for his sins.
"Wrong Side of Heaven and Righteous Side of Hell" can be interpreted as Doing bad things for a good cause but because of these bad things, the person is a bad person.
The whole gender switch of God is people's most caring and loving person in their lives are their mothers (more often than not) so when Ivan (FFDP singer) says "I spoke to god today, she says she's ashamed. what have I done, who have I become" he means that his mother is ashamed of what he's done and the person he came back home as.
When Men join the Military their fathers are the ones to most likely push them into joining which is why they (FFDP) set him up as the "Devil". When Ivan says "I spoke to the Devil today, he swears he's not to blame", He is saying that his father is the reason he (the narrator) is fucked up but Father never forced him to join followed by the next line of the narrator feeling the same.
I see that now, I am a little slow!
I love this song and this band. The man in the song has come to a crossroads having done evil things for what he is told is a righteous cause. The official music video depicts a squad of soldiers that were in the Middle East together. Four men that call each other "Brother". Three of them end up falling apart, losing a piece of themselves once they return to civilian life. They find themselves "On the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell" after taking lives to save live. By the end the one of them that is doing alright for himself after having his life saved by his brothers in arms takes one of them off the street (because the three in question are all homeless), saying to him, "You saved my life, Brother." It's almost like the old addage, "Being caught between a rock and a hard place." Our men and women in uniform are called upon to do things that for many are against personal and religious beliefs. But to take a life of someone who is threatening our freedom and way of life is considered noble. Sometimes the mind does not see it this way. So they end up in an internal battle between their actions and their beliefs. Hence, the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell.
It’s a good song it’s about the demons veterans face after war and PTSD
The song was entirely written about the effects of PTSD.
Just like everything a person says in their day to day life, context is quite literally everything. Perhaps if they watched the actual video, rather than the lyrics they would have understood that.
You really have to watch the music video to really get the message because it makes their message clear
It's kind of in the lyrics: "Right or wrong, I can hardly tell". It's about soldiers in war, internally conflicting with what they're doing. They are told to kill the enemy, but know killing is wrong.
Watch the video. That should clear it up somewhat. Or Google the meaning behind "Wrong Side Of Heaven".
The context of this song is incredibly important to know what this song is about. This is about the military. This song, in the verse, talks about how God is whatever we need at that time. Sometimes God takes that fatherly approach or God takes a "maternal" or gentle approach. I love this song and how 5FDP are advocates and supporters of our troops. God bless our troops
Wrong side of heaven means he's done some evil. Righteous side of hell means he's trying to do good. It's a statement of walking the line.
It is a military song talking about the issues that soldiers face at war.
The song is about military veterans that have to do evil things for the right reasons and the internal fight we have to deal with.
micky maust Exactly, Thanks man...This was kinda Frustrating to watch being that it's not that complicated of an explanation. I think you nailed it pretty Good. We're just Guys who aren't doing exactly what the Christian bible suggests we do to enter heaven, while not being inherently evil at the same time.
The Chief
I saw in another video that the pastor is a former Marine like myself which makes this review that much more frustrating for me.
This is one of those songs which cannot be fully understood without the official video. Take it from another man of God.
Daniel Pering I've never seen the video and I understand it very well. you've got to be in a certain mental state of understanding in life, but the meaning is there.
Templar 1312 If you feel you understand it enough, then I shall not pester you about watching it. There are more important things in life after all. I shall then give you the meaning conveyed by the official video. It is about veteran members of the U.S. Military and their struggles after returning from tours of service, the struggles they face, and about the compassion and honor we should collectively have regarding them. My Father served 26 years in the Navy, my Uncle served 2 tours in Vietnam with the Army Air Cavalry, and my Great Uncle (may he rest in peace) served with the 101st Airborne during WWII and fought at Bastogne. Our Military deserves recognition and honor for their sacrifices and service.
Literally all you have to do is watch the music video and you’ll see the actual meaning
The Brada's but they ddnt... Too bad
I always interpreted the lyrics "Wrong side of Heaven, and the Righteous Side of Hell" as doing horrible acts for a righteous cause, such as killing in the name of God.
Just a general tip: sometimes you guys take the lyrics too literally. A lot of the time, religious allusions in music is symbolic
angel calderon
Yeah the way they decided to take this one literally and bring up gods gender had me scratching my head.
Especially since they did such a good job with the symbolism in Devil in I and not just focusing on the chorus.
I would recommend when you can to watch the video for this song, as a former service member this song reaches to me in a way that others like me will understand. We get sent to a conflict to do the "right thing" but in order for these right things we sometimes have to do the wrong thing. Its almost Machiavellian in nature...
Thank you for your service. We posted a video on the FFDP video of this song. Very powerful!
Absolutely watch the video. I should have clarified. If you think of it in the perspective of war. It makes perfect sense. I feel like it was Ivan Moody's intention. Don't get me wrong they definitely have some blasphemous songs, But I don't believe this was their intention with this one.
The basic description of the main chorus "The Wrong Side of Heaven / The Righteous side of Hell" would be Purgatory. Mentally stuck in between both because they put all their lives into keeping us Americans safe and nothing back from us except ridicule and in some ways hatred. You guys really should watch the actual Music Video it will give a lot of incite.
You missed the point of the song. You're taking the lyrics far too literally, it isn't actually about heaven or hell at all.
I had to skip through most of the video because it was upsetting that they were missing the whole point.
Personally I know it’s about soldiers and the duality of the situation “discarded” soldiers are in. But PERSONALLY I relate to this song due to the fact (May sound a bit “emo” but trust me I’m not lmao) I’ve generally always been more attracted to the darker side of things but I also have an extremely strong sense of justice, willing to help anyone in need in my own way, but considered by most to be more dark and cynical, so I understand DEEPLY with the phrasing “wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell”
It's about the moral gray zone. I think it's meant to symbolize the possibility to do what is traditionally right, while still feeling like you did the wrong thing. Take soldiers in war for example. Also I think it plays with the Idea of being abandoned by society, god, family...etc
Nathan Conte agreed
Could hold told it any better
You should have him react to the music video...always brings a tear to my eye
This is one of my favorite FFDP Songs and I can’t wait for their concert tonight, I think you should Pastor Andy
This song is dedicated to our men and women fighting and dieing overseas for our freedoms we enjoy and when they come back life isn't the same they knew the song is about ptsd and the suicide rate of our soldiers I strongly suggest watching their actual music video because it gives alot more context to the lyrics
The music video follows a unit of soldiers and has facts about mental illness once they return back to civilian life. I think you nailed the meaning at the end. The men and women enlisted have their hearts in the right place but war is a brutal thing where they may have done some unimaginable things
I'm no hero I see as someone who doesn't look for trouble or a vigilante. I'm not not made of stone, I feel refers to "I can't just see this and do nothing". "Arms wide open" I think is how he presents himself during judgement, as in "here I am!" Seeing the devil today and looking away is during an emotionally down time for him when he looks in the mirror. As far as speaking to God, he could have been praying. I could almost write a thesis on this song from several points of view.
As a Christian metal head I liked this song but saw it as a bit blasphemous but it was still a great song when I watched the video it put it in a better, more realistic and deeper context. You really need to watch the video. Basically stop thinking about it as theological and think of it as physical, emotional and mostly mental (ie PTSD) and you will see the true deep and positive meaning behind the song!
you hit the nail on the head good sir PTSD
Im going in Indianapolis and i say yes go. You cant experience all that God is wanting to tell us if we don't open our minds and hearts to everything. You never know what God is able to reveal by stepping out of our comfort zone.
Ever since I found your channel, I'm hooked!
Daniel L same bro
This song is about the paradox of war, this song was aimed at combat veterans who are returning, and feel alone. The spiritual meaning behind the song is that of a soldier who has had to kill many men, asking himself questions such as, “Am I a bad person?” “Did I do what was right?” This is present in the lyric “Right or wrong, I can hardly tell.” The title of this song is in its entirety a paradox. “The wrong side of Heaven and the righteous side of Hell.” The title is a metaphor for I’m in between the good and the bad. Meaning the person had to do bad things for a good reason and yet they live with the horrific consequences of those actions, and they want help coping they need help, and they make it known through this lyric “arms wide open, I stand alone.” They need help because they are the ones staying up all night with haunting nightmares of their own choices flashing before them, they think to themselves “What if I didn’t pull the trigger on that child?” That child had a family, that child was deceived, and It was either them or me. These are the questions some veterans ask themselves every day. “What if?” Or “How could I have known?” “Why did I do it like that?” War is not glory, it is far...far from it.
did you watch the offficial video for this. . . the song carries so much more weight when paired with the video. . alot of their song s and almost all video relate back to military service . . the video for this song is an attempted wake up call for people ,to take notice of what vetereans go through .. not only in combat but also when they come home. . i do suggest for anyone who hasnt seen the official video to go watch it . . but be prepared to get punched in the feels
It's a military tribute song The Wrong Side of Heaven is killing people but the righteous side of hell is doing it for your country
I spoke to god today and she said that she's ashamed. He was talking about a loving wife being ashamed of her husband about doing the things that he does and she doesn't know why he does it
This song hits home for me and tears me up every single time. I grew up in a old fashioned Baptist church, and joined the Marines out of high school. I fought in desert storm and Somalia. Because of what I have been through these lyrics make total sense to me. I have never felt more alone than when I was out of the military, and had nothing in common with anyone I knew previously. Society makes you question the things you have done. You fight for your country and after it is all said and done you question the right and wrong of it all. Hence the lyrics, wrong side of heaven, meaning I have seen and done things that couldn't possibly let me be in Such a perfect place.
I have brought violence and destruction, but the reason for that was to protect the things I love the most. Hence the lyrics, righteous side of hell. Because society says that's where violent monsters belong.
To truly grasp the meaning of this song, you have to have put on that uniform, picked up that weapon, and found yourself in some of the most hellish spots on earth.
to understand the lyrics you need to watch the music video
Thanks for doing this guys I wanted u guys to do this
TO BIGKAT TV: You have CLEARLY picked a song by its TITLE ONLY with out doing any homework on it...THIS IS A SONG TRIBUTE TO BRING AWARENESS OF VET SUICIDES AND THE STRUGGLES WE GO THROUGH EACH DAY... WRONG SIDE OF HEAVEN MEANING: away from family friends home.
RIGHTEOUS SIDE OF HELL MEANING: fighting killing war and the STRUGGLES on the field of battle and the spiritual/mental/physical war once back home for both the military personnel and his/her family...
YOU HAVE CLEARLY FAILED YOU GOAL TO MINISTER TO THE YOUTH YOUR TARGETED AUDIENCE BECAUSE OF YOUR POOR JUDGMENT AND MISTAKE. DO YOUR HOME WORK AND NOT JUST PICK TITLES OF SONGS AND I KNOW YOU PURPOSELY CHOSE THE ALBUM VERSION OF THIS SONG: BECAUSE YOU SEARCH THIS SONG ON TH-cam YOU WILL SEE 99% OF THE VIDEOS OF THIS SONG ARE ACTUALLY OF THE ACTUAL VIDEO OF THIS SONG AND SHOWS ITS MEANING... I don't blame GOD for me not going back to church I blame PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO CAN CAST JUDGEMENT AND DO IT CALMLY WHILE SMILING AND NOT KNOW A SINGLE THING OF THE PERSON'S STRUGGLES OR WHAT THEY BEEN THROUGH... ITS TIME YOU REMAKE THIS VIDEO AND MAKE A SINCERE APOLOGY TO YOUR VIEWERS AND ALL MILITARY PERSONNEL BOTH PAST AND PRESENT... BECAUSE WE ARE THE ONES WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO LIVE FREELY AS YOU DO... AND YOU WANT TO DOWN A TRIBUTE SONG THAT IS TRYING TO BRING AWARENESS TO OUR STRUGGLES... I AM COMPLETELY OFFENDED BY YOUR STUPIDITY AND LACK OF MORAL COMPASS.. AND I HOPE YOU NEVER EVER CAST JUDGEMENT ON ANY ONE OR THING AGAIN WITH OUT DOING YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST....
Remember you sleep at night because brave men and women stead fast to do harm on your behalf...
SUA SPONTE
Thank you for your response. BigKat picks the music, and I “react” as opposed to review. This often results in me making errors as I am normally hearing the song for the first time. With songs like this and based on feedback, we consider re-addressing the relevant issues. I understand the value of our military, having served four years active duty with the Marine Corps. I hope you can see our heart is in the direction of healing and reconciliation.
This is the first video I've seen from you and u should strongly consider redoing this after watching the video and understanding the song. This will be a very offensive response to so many due to it being so strongly misunderstood
John L ok, no disrespect meant, but this song can be taken and applied many ways, not just people who have served,....im transgender and the words in a way kinda remind me or us in the transgender community of the way some of kinda feel at times....i hope I'm kinda making sense in what I'm meaning.
Thank you for stating my opinions for me, they definitely need to redo this because honest it is the people like this that make me not go to church, they have no idea what the song is about they go say some stupid offensive shit and we all sit going, "just stfu already, piss off" not to be mean but if your going to do a video (especially ffdp just because of how all there songs are about commen current issues) you need to do your research first, before going out and saying all this crap, so seriously you need to redo this vid
It’s about the aspect of taking a life for your country. The Bible says thou shall not kill but select few kill to protect the lives of others. In some view they are condemned and in other they are saving lives
Understood that this is a musical review. But you missed everything by not watching the video. It ties alls content together and reveals most things you missed. Even in a biblical and moral message
The song is about military service members and the lyrics "wrong side of heaven and righteous side of hell" are about the bad things one does in service such as killing(I'm not gonna delve into civilian casualties on this just yet) the enemy combatants which puts you on the "wrong side of heaven" as "thou shall not kill" is a common theme within christianity(this can be applied to every Judaio-Christian religions more or less) thus meaning the actions committed in relation to serving are sinful and evil. "The righteous side of hell" is being the "evil" killer for a good cause. In the video its evident when one of the US soldiers takes a bullet and his squadmate returns fire while another moves him to safety. "Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a brother"[paraphrasing] I find fits this because 2 men put their lives on the line to rescue their comrade in arms. This means that killing the enemy combatant is not a sinful act because it's to preserve a friendly life. Thus not damning the "speaker"(the person who's perspective we are in) to hell for this act.
To summarize: God is ashamed of the "speaker" for killing someone but the devil is saying he isn't to blame for what happened. The "speaker" is internally conflicted by whether he is doing bad things for good reasons or is just doing bad things. This is a common thought process among religious combat-arms service members. This song attributes a portion of veteran suicides to this internal struggle in the original video by stating "somewhere in the world a veteran is wondering why...." which I roughly take to mean "why do my countrymen hate me and avoid me" as well as "why is God punishing me for the things I've done in goodwill"
Like others have mentioned. The video for this song gives you so much context that your missing just looking at it from a spiritual stand point. Please watch the video
I love your channel and I look forward to seeing your work. God bless🙏
You have to watch the music video for this song it adds so much to the song watch the video especially if you enjoyed the song
Y’all need to react to the song WITH the video. The video goes with the song and visa versa. I’m only two minutes in as of now, but when he refers to God as a she, it’s believed that he is referring to his wife and/or daughter. The story is about a squad of combat veterans taking casualties and then it showcases what has become of the squad once they’re stateside. It’s also listing very real statistics about how poorly we treat our veterans and the Hell they have to go through home and abroad.
I seriously recommend that you watch the video. It adds a lot of depth and meaning to the already very deep and meaningful song.
The wrong side of haven the righteous side of hell is talking about doing bad things for good reasons like taking a life to save thousands or letting someone die to help them
The "wrong side of heaven" is basically saying that he's believing that what he's done is the right thing to do, but that he can't help but feel it's wrong and the "righteous side of hell" is looking at what was done as the necessary evil. The song was made to help bring attention military veterans struggling with PTSD, those who were sent to combat where they had to kill but are doing so to protect the lives of us here. When he said he turned away from the devil when he saw him, it was because he saw himself in what he looked at and couldn't bear to face it, essentially keeping himself in denial, in line with those struggling with the experiences of what they've done and not being able to live with themselves after.
Pastor should go to the concert just for experience.
This song was written for veterans who suffer from PTSD to enlighten those who do not have it of the struggle of the torn past and how hard it is to overcome the things they have done in the name of freedom and honor. This song is deep and sends a profound message to the American public to keep our veterans in their mind and that we need to do more to help them.
My own interpretation is that god(she) represents a mother unconditional love and how we have let her down by our actions in war. The devil to me is us looking in the mirror and seeing our action play before us and not accepting it's our fault so we turn away from it. I dont know maybe that's just me.
When I had cancer this was my song accurately depicting how things were. I was in hell through all of it but I was putting up a fight and knew I was in hell but didn’t deserve to be there and I knew I wasn’t in the fun part of any heaven. Also, the lyrics are important but the music video will also answer a lot of the questions. We can always speculate what lyrics mean but I learned in this situation, for me, hell was cancer and being sick in hospital and people calling me a hero bc of the fight I put up. I did that to stay alive. This is a great song!
Watch the music video because this review is disrespecting the sacrifices all our veterans make for this country and the lyric video does NOT help you understand the song.
Shameful just shameful...
Yes, missed it on this one. Really hard for me to put two and two together that quickly.
Christian Blanchard give Pastor a break man he's new to the metal genre he didn't know.
I personally believe the song is about perception more than what seems to be a religious aspect it would seem to me they're saying no one in any situation is purely evil or completely ritcheous the world is not black and white there is no sure fire answer for your problems in life and so many are consumed by "am I doing the right thing" and are we doing it for the right reason there are so many aspects to life and so many different variables the answers seem limitless. "But what exactly is the right answer?" Or are we even asking the right questions. There is a lot to consider.
Righteous side of hell means being in hell for doing bad things for "good" reasons i.e. killing during a war.
thank you!!! how hard was that!!
This song is written from the perspective of being a soldier and having to as you are ordered whether that be right or wrong and the mental anguish the bad you have to do as soldier causes you.
I've seen alot of people address one particular part of this, as such I will speak of the other part I have seen. This being that he spoke to god and the devil, god sounding like him and the devil looking like him. This being followed by him looking away. This is not necessarily an arguement of "god and the devil are imaginary" it is instead that god sounds akin to him in the way that he speaks of doing good in the will of his country. Fighting for freedom and happiness, and in turn for good. The devil looks like him in the way that to those he is fighting he is the evil one, it is a commentary of relative morality. Meaning how could one be so sure of absolute morals when two sides of a single conflict regard each other as immoral, and themselves as moral. For any that have something to add to this I would definitely welcome a reply, no matter the intent.
In the chorus “wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell”, in the context of the song, he’s a soldier coming home from war, dealing with all of the demons he has about all of the bad things he’s done for all of the right reasons, so he feels as though he’s stuck between heaven and hell, that’s the meaning of the video the song portrays
Just look at it with the military minds and how in your religion killing is a sin but they do it for the good so their on the righteous side of hell
Seriously, it's written from the perspective of a veteran struggling on the streets. It's not a commentary on religion
Maybe react to the music video, would make alot more sense.
I know this song is being a soldier and I feel like it’s about not really knowing about being good or bad. Kind of like the moral gray area because society tells you what you’re doing is right but you are committing the same evil as your enemy. Hence the meaning the wrong side of heaven being society’s distorted meaning of righteousness. And the righteous side of hell meaning you are committing the same evil but you feel you doing it for a good reason. And the person singing this is in that moral tough spot. I feel it doesn’t have that much to do with with religion as you might think. It’s more social than anything
Figured the "pastor" would take this route. Allow me to spell things out for you sir. This song is sung for veterans. The line "wrong side of heaven...righteous side of hell" is not speaking spiritually AT ALL. What they are speaking of here is when a soldier may look back at what happened to them or what they did on deployment. Take Chris Kyle shooting the child with the explosive. Chris and others could see themselves as being neither good nor bad since a single instance could be taken both ways. Wrong side of heaven---->shot a child Righteous side of hell---------->Saved his comrades lives. Also you mentioned stoning of false prophets in the old testament, yes but the OT was written for the Jews and we are not governed by those laws, yet they are more of a guideline for us. On the same point there is no mentioning of prophesy he is more speaking of hearing good and bad.
Please watch the official video....it makes me cry every time. Maybe incorporate watching official videos with listening and reading the lyrics. It can tell a story different from just listening to the lyrics.
It's like the guys in the reaction video went in completely blind trying to interpret the song it needs the video the official video that goes with the song for the full context to be appreciated and the song to be understood
would definitely recommend going! I went on August 3rd and had a great time! the love they have for their fans is amazing.
How could you not understand the song. It’s not literal. He talking about the internal conflict from going to war and how it affects you
They're talking about military veterans coming back from war returning home, homeless on the streets
Show him the video for the song. It helps put things into perspective
The song is written about those out there fighting a war. And the veterans who doesn't get help when they come home. "wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell" meaning they are told they are fighting a war for the purpose of good. But when they are down there fighting they come to know that it's wrong "evil" but at the same time they're doing their duty as a soldier. They can't tell anymore if what they're doing is wrong or right. Therefore "righteous side of hell"
The meaning has a lot of interpretations for those that havent served or been in war. I served as a medic in the South African Border war in the 80s.... I went in a Christian and started questioning God after what I saw and did... The wrong side of Heaven and the righteous side of hell, to me, means I feel after what I did in battle puts me on the wrong side of Heaven, however because it was ordered and a matter of survival and according to the Bible the Law of the Land, Im on the righteous side of hell as Im still, in essence a good person and not evil. So for me, I feel I have to forgive myself first in order to get to the right side of Heaven... 30 years later and Im still fighting the war. I will always be on the righteous side of hell which means I havent and never will cross over that line into hell. Although all who have and who still are serving go through hell every day. As for Ivan referring to God as a woman, I feel he says that in the hope that God has empathy and understanding for those who do what they have to in war. Just my thoughts.........
Pastor I'm Reverend Lyon. The content is a song about Our vets. to understand the story you need to watch the music video.. My dad was a Vietnam veteran and his whole life he swore to us boys he was going to hell for what he did over there. And every day he begged and pleaded to God for forgiveness. For breaking the commandment of thout shall not kill. Now with that in mind re watch that video. Because i bet their are 1000's of vets out there. Who feel that they're Going to hell for what they have done. Because they feel like They are on the wrong side of heaven. Why did he fear he was going to hell because woman and children would slap explosives to them selfs and charge service men and check points and base's my dad was in nam as a green boot 2 weeks prior to the tet offensive . my dad said that was where he earned his one way ticket to hell.
I think he is saying that he has done bad things for maybe good reasons. Where does that leave him? He has done to many bad things to go to heaven but he did them for pure reasons so he feels he also isn't deserving of hell. This is from his point of view because belief in God and repentance all sins can be forgiven. Also the God and devil voices are inside of him and it's so hard for him to tell at this point which is good and which is evil.
Michael McKee this is an excellent point because in the video it shows him as the military. He help his buddy gets shot then is left homeless. He could be talking about his hell on earth or he could talk about the fact that in the military you have to do whatever you have to do to keep your men alive even if its morally wrong.
Nick Martinez I agree. In the moment our military have to simply react. When they come home they have to somehow come to grip with everything they did or have seen. It is a very tough almost impossible thing they have to do. On one hand they defend our freedom and do what is required. On the other hand they lose brothers and at times have to kill. So when they get home I'm sure they have mixed feelings like the song describes. God bless our military for the things they do so the majority of us never have to. It's also why they should have the best physical and mental health services available to them.
You guys had to watch the actual music video that goes with it then the song makes a lot more sense
Ivan and his band mates were in the service so I do think it has to do with that but I also think the song is portraying his ex wife as God because she left him and he portrays her as being too good for him and he is portraying himself as the devil because of his drug use that “tore his family apart” after he came back from the war
Do you have a link where I could read more about him? I have not been able to find info on the military background of this band.
this song can be interpeted in different ways spitual , war , personal beliefes etc.
yes, but it's supposed to mainly be military themed.
I know everyone else has said "you have to watch the original video" but it's true this song is for our veterans the video is very emotional. I believe the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell means our veterans would do anything to make us safe even go through hell
All do respect pastor, but for this song and a lot of this type of music you need to watch the video to the song, it will make a lot more sense to you when you see the video. You should watch their video Gone away, you will understand this song better after you watch that one.
thank you.thinking same thing.
You would have a blast if you went to the show! I went when they were here in Dallas recently. Awesome show!