Tool’s “Prison Sex” is one of those songs in which a legendary rock band, as they tend to do from time-to-time, confronts a disturbing yet real-life issue dead on. And in this case it would be child abuse.

');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)}; })(); You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Tool's Prison Sex at Lyrics.org.

At some points, the singer portrays the role of the victim. However, for the most part he is speaking from the perspective of the criminal himself. And it can be deduced that this individual is indeed a male who is sensually abusing a child. And what makes the abuse even worse is that he apparently has some type of parental-like authority over his victim. Indeed within this context, the titular “prison” is not meant to be interpreted literally but rather points to the idea of this situation being one which the victim cannot escape from.

Maynard James Kennan talks about this song’s meaning

Meanwhile Tool’s frontman, Maynard James Kennan, has put forth that this track is actually “about recognizing, identifying the cycle of abuse within yourself”. And considering that he co-wrote and sings it, his interpretation has to be accepted. But at the same time it is also well known, partially due to another quote he is on record as uttering, that “Prions Sex” is in fact “about getting f***** in the behind as a little kid”.

Facts about “Prison Sex”

The writing of this song was done by all four members of Tool. They also produced it in conjunction with record producer Sylvia L. Massy.

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“Prison Sex” was subsequently released in 1993 as a single. It was actually Tool’s second single from their maiden album “Undertow” following “Sober“.

As can be imagined, “Prison Sex” was met with a considerable degree of controversy and even censorship. For instance, the animated music video to the track, despite consisting of “no violence or nudity”, was promptly banned by MTV.

There is also a radio edit of this song, since some of its original lyrics are quite explicit.