r/coheed's Song of the Day #24: Ten Speed(Of God's Blood & Burial)

This song was one of the first songs I heard by the band. Thanks to a bleh cover of it on Rock Band, I was introduced into the more deep cut territory of Coheed. I originally was impressed by the cover, thinking it was pretty good. Once I downloaded the real version, I realized I was dumb, and this song was far more kick ass when done by the real band. Fun fact: they covered it for Rock Band because Claudio and Travis' guitars are on the same track and it was impossible to separate them to make a note list! This song had a video and was apparently a single of some sort, but I doubt it received much in the way of airplay.

The Fiction- (from songmeanings) Writer is shaken by his violent visions, and is becoming slightly paranoid of himself. Despite his hate for Erica, he still loves her and wishes her no harm. Ten Speed, a delusion of Writer’s that takes the form of a demon bicycle, appears to him, telling him how to alleviate his own suffering. Writer is frightened and at first tells Ten Speed to leave him alone. However, Ten Speed persists and they continue a conversation about why Writer is suffering and what must be done to stop it. Their conversation is about the Character, Claudio, and his world. In that world is Ambellina, in whom Writer has invested all of his love for Erica, keeping him attached to his failed relationship. Ten Speed tells Writer to kill her off and Writer says no because he loves her. When Ten Speed persists, Writer asks “how does that work? You’re a bicycle,” (this is the dialogue in the background of the song). Writer is still conflicted and confused as to what his story really has to do with his love life, and the agony that is consuming his life.

The Real- This is Claudio considering killing off Chondra's fictional representation in the story. He struggles with it, because he loves her, but he is miserable when his life's work, his fiction, mirrors his real life. He can't bear to think of what to do with her character, so he feels like he should kill her off to be spared his pain.

The Part- I'll be in the minority, but the last 30 or so seconds of the song are the best. The "cause I'm" intro to the TEN SPEED part is so creepy sounding, but so...danceable. Fuck. Claudio is really working out how to vocalize different characters by this point in the discography. I also really dig the screams by Claudio in this part. The whole ending reminds me to the end of this song, which I would strongly recommend listening all the way through to see what I mean.