Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “The Priest and the Matador” by Senses Fail
The Priest and the Matador by Senses Fail is an earnest and introspective emo-punk anthem that reflects on two drastically different lifestyles and the heavy burden of choosing a path in life, whether it be traditional or unconventional. The priest and the matador mirror the two sides of the band’s songwriter, Buddy Nielsen. He juxtaposes his religious upbringing in a sheltered small town with the dangerous and daring life of a touring musician.
The opening lines of the song show the contrast between the two worlds by drawing a parallel between the matador entering the bullring and the priest entering the hallway of the church. The chorus repeats the lines “But I’m torn between who I thought I was and who I wanted to be”, indicating that Buddy Nielsen is not at peace with his inner struggle of trying to reconcile these two incompatible lifestyles. He further hints that despite his temptations for a life of excitement, despite the dangerous mindset of the matador, he still finds himself tied to his religious upbringing. He pleads “But which is worse when I’m at the crossroad fence, when I can’t tell the difference?”
As the song comes to an end, Big Buddy’s ponderings reach a solemn climax, an acceptance of his conflicted state of mind. He starts to believe that “there’s something beautiful” in his mixed background and that the merging of both the priest and the matador is what defines him. He recognizes that his past and his future can both be a source of strength and knows that he must embrace both sides of his identity in order to grow and achieve all that he’s capable of.