Maynard James Keenan Critiques Some Tool Lyrics: “The Words Are Just Dumb” and Don’t Hold Up

Maynard James Keenan opens up about why he avoids singing certain Tool songs, admitting some lyrics don’t stand the test of time.

When the Frontman Gets Real About Tool’s Lyrics

If you’ve ever listened closely to Tool’s intricate soundscapes, you might have thought the lyrics are always profound and poetic. But Maynard James Keenan, the enigmatic voice behind the band, recently threw a curveball in that perception. In a candid chat on Steve-O’s podcast Wilde Ride!, Maynard confessed that some of Tool’s older songs just don’t sit right with him anymore—because, well, “the words are just dumb.”

He even joked about the “reverent” label some AI had slapped on Tool’s music. When Steve-O mentioned the word “reverent,” Maynard scoffed, quipping, “Yeah, I don’t know about that… reverence for fist fucking??”—a sly nod to the infamous 1996 Tool track ‘Stinkfist’.

It’s refreshing to hear a rock legend poke fun at his own work with such honesty. Maynard went on to reveal how certain songs, despite their popularity, feel like a creative misstep in hindsight.

“There’s some old Tool songs that I don’t like playing because I feel like I failed them. They’re popular songs, but I was trying to make a joke and it was a dumb joke, and I should’ve just moved on. I feel like the lyrics don’t hold up under scrutiny.”

The Case of ‘4 Degrees’: A Butt Sex Joke That Didn’t Age Well

Digging deeper, Maynard specifically called out ‘4 Degrees’ from Tool’s debut album Undertow. He confessed that his original intent was to sneak in a “butt sex joke,” which he now regards as a lapse in judgment.

“The way I wrote it… I was trying to fucking make a butt sex joke and it was dumb. The song’s beautiful, what those guys did musically is great and I think maybe the melody’s a good melody but the words are just dumb. I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking.”

It’s a rare glimpse into the songwriting process of a band that’s often shrouded in mystery and seriousness. While the music remains timeless in the fans’ eyes, the lyrics haven’t always aged as gracefully—even for the man who penned them.

Maynard James Keenan in full element during a live performance.

Tool’s Legacy and Future: No New Album Yet, But Plenty of Activity

Though Tool hasn’t dropped a new album since 2019’s Fear Inoculum, they’ve stayed active. In late 2025, the band toured, delighting fans with deep cuts that hadn’t been played live for over two decades, plus a killer cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Hand Of Doom’.

Maynard and guitarist Adam Jones also gave fans a little hope last year by hinting at new material. When asked about what’s coming in 2025, Maynard simply said:

“Writing, I guess.”

That enigmatic answer fits perfectly with the band’s reputation for taking their own sweet time with creativity.

Justin Chancellor, Tool’s bassist, added some insight in 2024 about their approach to new music. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with announcing new projects but emphasized that the band works strictly on their own terms.

“The only pressure comes when we announce that we’re working on something new, because then we have to make our own predictions for when it’ll come out, and obviously you feel like you let people down if you don’t release it in a certain amount of time.”

Chancellor also reflected on the band’s longevity and experimental nature.

“When it comes to writing new music, we’re aware that people don’t manage to stay together for as long as we have, so the pure fact that we’ve made it this far makes us eager to take it to the next place and create something new. Whether we’ll be able to successfully, who knows? We’re pretty sure we can, but Tool’s approach has always been experimental, so we never quite know how it’ll come together.”

A Tool Fan’s Feat: Alex Honnold’s Record-Breaking Climb

Speaking of the band’s impact, Tool continues to inspire fans across all walks of life. Take Alex Honnold, the legendary American free solo climber, who made headlines by scaling Taipei 101—one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers—while listening to Tool. Honnold’s daring feat and dedication to the band’s music is a testament to Tool’s enduring influence beyond the rock scene.

Maynard’s Other Projects: Puscifer’s Upcoming Album

While Tool’s new album remains on the horizon, Maynard keeps busy with his other musical outlet, Puscifer. Fans can look forward to Puscifer’s new album Normal Isn’t, set to release on February 6. The band continues to push creative boundaries, showing that Maynard’s artistic voice is as vibrant as ever.

Wrapping Up: The Man Behind the Voice

Maynard James Keenan’s honesty about his own past lyrics adds a humanizing layer to the often-mythic figure. It’s a reminder that even legends have moments they look back on and cringe at. But that’s part of the journey—evolving as an artist and knowing when to move on from past ideas.

Will Tool’s next album carry that same self-reflective spirit? One can only hope. Until then, fans have plenty to dive into and dissect—lyrics included!

FAQ

• Does Maynard James Keenan refuse to sing all old Tool songs?
  No, he specifically avoids singing some older songs where he feels the lyrics don't hold up or were meant as jokes that didn’t age well.
• What Tool song did Maynard call out for having “dumb” lyrics?
  He singled out '4 Degrees' from the Undertow album for its attempt at a joke that he now regrets.
• Has Tool released any new music since 2019?
  No new albums since Fear Inoculum in 2019, but they toured in late 2025 playing deep cuts and covers.
• Is there a new Tool album coming soon?
  While Maynard mentioned they are writing, there’s no confirmed release date. The band tends to work on their own schedule.
• What else is Maynard James Keenan working on?
  Maynard’s other band, Puscifer, is releasing a new album titled Normal Isn’t on February 6.

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