Music and Depth Psychology: A Theoretical Analysis of Tool by Bridgette Pagano A Culminating Thesis Submitted to Sonoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in Psychology Mary Gomes, Ph.D., Chair C. Shoshana Fershtman, Ph.D. Monte Cimino, MSW Date: May 24, 2021 Copyright 2021 By Bridgette Pagano ii Authorization for Reproduction of Master’s Thesis I grant permission for the print or digital reproduction of this thesis in its entirety, without further authorization from me, on the condition that the person or agency requesting reproduction absorb the cost and provide proper acknowledgement of authorship. DATE:____May 24, 2021______ NAME: ___Bridgette Pagano___ iii Music and Depth Psychology: A Theoretical Analysis of Tool Thesis by Bridgette Pagano ABSTRACT Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this thesis is to explore the lyrics of the rock band Tool, and interpret themes found in their lyrics through the lens of Jungian psychology. I look at whole songs as well as sections of songs, and relate them to specific Jungian themes. These themes include individuation, ego, the Self, shadow, persona, and alchemy (Hopcke, 1995). Through interpretation, I not only explore themes that fit specific songs, but I also speak to each topic’s relationship with individuation. Music can be a vehicle to facilitate an individual’s healing (Nelson & Weathers, 1998). Tool’s lyrics are rich in references to Jungian psychological themes, which is the reason I focus exclusive on Tool’s music. In exploring the relationship between Tool and Jungian psychology, I hope to be able to see the music from a new perspective, and to deepen my understanding of Tool, depth psychological themes, and myself. Procedure: To explore the relationship between Tool’s lyrical content and Jungian psychological themes, I used a theoretical analysis as my approach. I extensively researched relevant Jungian themes, and extensively analyzed Tool’s song catalog to find applicable lyrics. Findings: There is an abundance of Jungian psychological themes found in Tool’s lyrics. Jungian themes, such as shadow, alchemy, and ego, are not only referenced, but thoroughly explored throughout certain Tool songs. Conclusion: Tool’s lyrical content often directly reflects Jungian psychological themes. Because of the depth and consistency, Jungian themes are clearly intentionally interwoven into Tool’s lyrics, allowing Jungian theory a broader audience than it would otherwise have. MA Program: Psychology Sonoma State University Date:_May 24, 2021__ iv Acknowledgements This work is dedicated to my amazing husband, without whom I never would have had the drive to finish, and to my two daughters, Adeline and Rose. I would also like to thank my family for their unfailing support and encouragement. It has been a long ride, but we finally made it to the finish line. Lastly, I would like to thank Tool for inspiring me to undertake this project. Spiral out, keep going. v Table of Contents Chapter Page I. Introduction……………………………………………………....……………...1 Tool…...………...……………………………………………………………….3 Depth Psychology…..…………………………………………………….……..5 Organization of Thesis…………………………………………………………..6 II. Individuation………………………………………………………………....….8 Individuation…………………………………………………………………….8 Music and Individuation.……………………………………………………….10 III. Ego/Self………………………………………………………………………....11 Ego………………………………………………………………………………11 Self………………………………………………………………………………11 Ego/Self Relationship…………………………………………………………...12 Lyrics……………………………………………………………………………14 Interpretation………………………………………………………………….…15 IV. Shadow………………………………………………………………………..…17 Shadow…………………………………………………………………………..17 Lyrics……………………………………… ……………………………………19 Interpretation………………………………………….……………….…………20 V. Persona…………………………………….……………….……………………..26 Persona……………………………………………………………………………26 Lyrics………………………………………….……………………………..…...27 vi Interpretation……………………….…………………………………………...…..29 VI. Alchemy………………………………………………………………………….....32 Alchemy……………………………………………………………………………..32 Prima Materia………………………………………………………………..……..34 Solutio………………………………………………………………………………35 Nigredo……………………………………………………………………………..36 Albedo………………………………………………………………………………37 Rubedo………………………………………………………………………...……38 Philosophical Gold…………………………………………………………………38 Lyrics…………………………………………………………………………...…..39 Interpretation………………………………………………………………………..40 VII. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………….…….43 References…………………………………………………………………..………45 vii Chapter I. Introduction Driving down a long, winding road, musing to myself about situations that might happen, situations that will never happen, and situations that are wildly far-fetched, I can’t remember how I even got here. I’m tracing back through my seemingly random thoughts, finding that thread which somehow connects them, when suddenly, I hear it. A tune too familiar to be called so; it is more like a part of my soul than anything separate or apart from me. The second note hits, and I am immediately brought back to a specific time and place. Memories flood my thoughts as I effortlessly sing along with a song I have not heard in months. I don’t miss a beat. Not with this extension of myself. It does not matter that I had nothing to do with the creation of this song, and yet I have adopted it as nothing less than a vital part of my being. Whether a person listens to rock, country, jazz, hip-hop, classical, or any other genre, music is something that has its place in every culture. For some fans, it is more meaningful than any other modality of art or communication. Music has the power to impact; the power to bring people together or tear them apart. Music transcends cultural bounds and can reach a global audience, to such a degree that every culture discovered has been found to have music involved to at least some extent (Storr, 1992). Artists tour the entire world, and even in countries that do not speak the same language, the crowds passionately sing along to every word. Music has been used to manipulate emotions and cause the listener to experience different feelings throughout history, such as in advertisements, movies, and even mothers singing softly to their baby to stop them crying (Levitin, 2006). With that being said, it is important to remember that just as every human is unique, every person’s 2 MUSIC AND DEPTH PSYCHOLOGY: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF TOOL response to any given piece of music will be unique to that individual. Even the same piece of music that evoked such a strong response at a certain critical moment in time may lose its potency over time and slide back into the realm of memories and past meaningful relationships. Conversely, certain pieces of music may steadily build meaning over time, increasing in importance, impacting that person in new and powerful ways. Those who love music know the great importance of it in their life, and it is so much more than simply a leisurely pleasure or background noise (Storr, 1992). Music can stay with a person for their whole life, and because of this, music can be used as a tool of change (Reddick & Beresin, 2002). That was the case for me with the rock band Tool. I had heard their songs regularly over my life and liked them but was not particularly moved when I heard them. As it happened, I simply wasn’t equipped to receive the message they were sending. Yet. Then one day, suddenly, that shifted. I was studying Psychology in my undergraduate years and had a class on personality, in which I was introduced to Carl Jung and his theories. Later that day, I happened across the Tool song, “Forty Six & 2” (Tool, 1996, track 5), which spoke of shadow, changing, and the effort it takes to be strong enough and brave enough to search for personal evolution. If one is willing to do the dirty work with the shadow, true change is possible. With this new understand of the song I was impacted in a huge way, and felt everything in my life quickly shifting, making space for Tool to have the seat of honor in my curiosity and imagination. The synchronicity of this series of events was nothing short of a life changing epiphany, and immediately after that I was seemingly possessed in my pursuit of obtaining all of Tool’s music and learning every intricacy and subtle implication held within it. Tool’s music became a rabbit hole 3 MUSIC AND DEPTH PSYCHOLOGY: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF TOOL that I enthusiastically flung myself down. I have not resurfaced since that first profound experience. Tool Tool is a rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1990, comprised of four members: Danny Carey on drums, Adam Jones on guitar, and Maynard James Keenan on vocals. Since 1995 Justin Chancellor has been Tool’s bassist, taking over for Paul D’Amour, who was active from 1990-1995. Tool’s music is characterized by heavy guitar riffs, intricate drumbeats, solid bass lines, and vocals ranging from soft and beautiful to whole- hearted screaming. Darkly comedic elements are sprinkled throughout Tool’s albums, such as the song “Disgustipated,” which opens with Keenan preaching to a gathering of farm animals comparing harvesting crops to committing genocide (Tool, 1992, track 10). “Rosetta Stoned” (Tool, 2006, track 8) tells an epic adventure of a man who was visited by aliens and entrusted to spread their message across the human race, but is not believed because he was high on psychedelic drugs. There is even a hidden song called “Maynard’s Dick,” at the end of the song “LAMC” (Tool, 2000, track 8) which is about exactly what one might think. While Tool has a wonderfully comedic side, reflective and