Maynard James Keenan Reflects on Regrets and Growth in Songwriting: A Journey of Self-Reflection
Maynard James Keenan, the frontman of the band Tool, is known for his clever and witty lyrics. However, he admits that there are some tracks from the band's early days that he regrets writing. Keenan feels that he didn't do justice to these songs and now finds it difficult to perform them. He believes that the lyrics he penned for these tracks don't stand up to scrutiny and were perhaps misguided attempts at humor.
One such song that Keenan mentions is "4°" from Tool's debut album Undertow released in 1993. He candidly admits that the lyrics were an attempt at a crude joke, which he now considers to be a mistake. Despite acknowledging the musical brilliance of the track, Keenan feels that the lyrics fall short and don't align with the song's beauty and melody. Reflecting on his past choices, he expresses regret and confusion over his thought process at the time.
In a recent interview on Steve-O's Wild Ride podcast, Keenan also discusses how his collaboration with co-vocalist Carina Round in his other band Puscifer has helped him improve his vocal techniques and adapt to the changes in his voice as he ages. By learning to arrange sets in a way that suits his voice and working with Round, Keenan has found ways to enhance his vocal skills and ensure longevity in his performances. Despite these advancements, he acknowledges that there are some songs he can no longer perform due to changes in his vocal range with age.
Keenan's journey as a musician has been marked by growth and self-reflection, leading him to reassess his past work and strive for improvement in his craft. Through his experiences with Tool and Puscifer, he continues to evolve as an artist, learning from his mistakes and finding ways to enhance his vocal abilities for future performances.