Marilyn Manson’s ‘Third Day Of A Seven Day Binge’ – What Does The Shock Rocker Mean This Time? [VIDEO]

Nobody is ever surprised by what Marilyn Manson does. Or rarely ever surprised, one should say – because his newest video has left some people a bit confounded. Known for his hard-core shock-rock antics, scary contacts, death and morbid lyrics, even depictions of rape scenes in videos – it’s kind of surprising when none of those things happen in his video. And in his newest video, they really don’t.

Marilyn Manson shared the starkly dark, but not shocking, music video for “Third Day of a Seven Day Binge,” off of his most recent album, The Pale Emperor. That’s not to say it’s not disturbing – it is. But it’s not his usual ghastly eclecticism that leaves his viewers and fans reeling – it’s more of just a sense of something disturbed and unwell. The rocker writhes in shadows, which some may consider interpretative dance, but as usual, the meaning in the music is hard to decipher. Perhaps it’s the lack of gimmicks in the video that is so characteristic of Manson’s work that leaves people leaving a bit forlorn. The tune is nearly catchy with it’s signature electric guitar – but what is the seven day binge of? A person? A drug? The lyrics offer some insight, but it is very open to interpretation. Now, not only are Manson’s eyes peculiar, but his teeth are showing a bit of wear – obviously for stage effect, but why?

The lyrics could refer to anything irresistible but ultimately destructive, be it a person or a drug or anything that could take over one’s life.

“I can’t decide if you’re wearing me out –or wearing me well. I just feel like I’m condemned to wear someone else’s hell.”

Like most of his music, one is inclined to believe there may be some angst behind it as he flashes his middle finger several times at the camera – again, it’s not clear who he is flipping off – the target audience? A person? The music industry? Rose McGowan, his ex-fiancé, has recently come forward to say that Manson’s cocaine habit did major damage to their relationship and to him as a musician, but this video was made well before that was stated.

Whatever the meaning, the intonation leaves one wondering that if this is just the third day of the seven day binge, what will things be like by day seven? And poetic license would probably agree that’s the intent of the song and the video – to leave one guessing, true to Manson’s eclectic style.

[Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images]