Oh Holy Diver...

Recommended Videos

Valkyrie101

New member
May 17, 2010
2,300
0
0
In case you didn't guess, this thread is about Dio's classic song Holy Diver. If you haven't heard of it, you probably won't be very interested.

Anyway, my question for you, esteemed brethren of the Escapist, is: what the fuck does it mean?

I have searched the interwebs, and the only two theories (aside from the highly plausible suggestion that it's just random words strung together) are that it refers to either religion (the "midnight sea" representing the darkness of religion, and the "tiger" showing its danger), or heroin ("tiger" being slang for heroin, and the "stripes" being the measurement marking on a "clean" needle).

I'd be interested to hear your ideas, not just about Holy Diver but also his other, equally opaque lyrics.
 

Cpt_Oblivious

Not Dead Yet
Jan 7, 2009
6,933
0
0
Right, gonna go listen. I always thought it was about a Holy Diver.

Edit: Stupid long intro.

It doesn't seem to mean anything. The heroin reference only takes up two lines and then says "But you know he's clean".

Another Edit: I fucking love this song!
 

TheRundownRabbit

Wicked Prolapse
Aug 27, 2009
3,825
0
0
"Ride the tiger, you can see his stripes but ya know he's clean, OH dont you see what I mean"
Sorry I couldnt help myself.
I have no idea what it means, i just know its fucking awesome
 

RooftopAssassin

New member
Sep 13, 2009
356
0
0
It's really about nothing. It might be about drugs, but that's not definitive. The tigers stripes could be the black markings on a syringe and I know good heroin is called 'clean' heroin. "Shiny Diamonds" could be crack, but I'm not sure.

Fuck it... Let's just rock out with our devil horns in honor of RJD!
 

Jonny1188

New member
Oct 8, 2010
164
0
0
Dammit. I was gonna talk about a Catholic scuba diver, but I like the nun line a lot better :/
 

Outright Villainy

New member
Jan 19, 2010
4,331
0
0

rabidmidget

New member
Apr 18, 2008
2,114
0
0
Outright Villainy said:
Valkyrie101 said:
Quantum Roberts said:
Brutal Peanut said:
Wardnath said:
Luke5515 said:
Mistrouser said:
It's obviously about going down on a nun...
Best explanation I've ever heard.
I concur.
Indubitably.
Definately
Incontrovertibly.
Irrefutably.

Anyway, I always liked Killswitch Engage's version, especially the video.
Hi-larious.
Evidently.