Forty Six & 2

"Forty-Six & 2" is a song by American progressive metal band Tool from their 1996 album Ænima. It was also released in the form of a promo single, and received radio airplay. Since the Ænima tour, Tool has performed "Forty-Six & 2" at nearly every show. Title and lyrics The title references an idea first conceived by Drunvalo Melchizedek concerning the possibility of reaching a state of evolution at which the body would have two more than the normal 46 total chromosomes and leave a currently disharmonious state. The premise is that humans would deviate from the current state of human DNA which contains 44 chromosomes and 2 sex autosomes . The next step of evolution would likely have 46 and 2 chromosomes in their DNA. Furthermore, the song references a wish to experience change through the "shadow"; an idea which represents the parts of one's personality that one hates and fears, which also exists as a recurring theme in the work of Carl Jung.

[Intro] Join in my— Join in, my child, and listen Digging through My old numb shadow [Verse 1] My shadow's shedding skin I've been picking scabs again I'm down, digging through My old muscles, looking for a clue [Pre-Chorus 1] I've been crawling on my belly Clearing out what could've been I've been wallowing in my own confused And insecure delusions For a piece to cross me over Or a word to guide me in I wanna feel the changes coming down I wanna know what I've been hiding [Chorus 1] In my shadow My shadow Change is coming through My shadow My shadow Shedding skin I've been picking My scabs again [Spoken] Join in my— Join in my child My shadow's Closer to meaning [Pre-Chorus 2] I've been crawling on my belly Clearing out what could've been I've been wallowing in my own chaotic Insecure delusions I wanna feel the change consume me Feel the outside turning in I wanna feel the metamorphosis and Cleansing I've endured in [Chorus 2] My shadow My shadow Change is coming Now is my time Listen to my muscle memory Contemplate what I've been clinging to Forty-six and two ahead of me [Bridge] I choose to live and to grow Take and give and to move Learn and love and to cry Kill and die and to be Paranoid and to lie Hate and fear and to do What it takes to move through I choose to live and to lie Kill and give and to die Learn and love and to do What it takes to step through [Interlude] [Outro] See my shadow changing Stretching up and over me Soften this old armor Hoping I can clear the way by Stepping through my shadow Coming out the other side Step into the shadow Forty six and two are just ahead of me