So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Watching terrible TV
It kills all thought
Getting spacier than
An astronaut
Making out with people
I hardly know or like
I can't believe what I do
Late at night
I want to know what it's like
On the inside of love
I'm standing at the gates
I see the beauty above
Only when we get to see
The aerial view
Will the patterns show
We'll know what to do
I know the last page so well
I can't read the first
So I just don't start
It's getting worse
I want to know what it's like
On the inside of love
I'm standing at the gates
I see the beauty above
I want to know what it's like
On the inside of love
I can't find my way in
I try again and again
I'm on the outside of love
Always under or above
I can't find my way in
I try again and again
I'm on the outside of love
Always under or above
Must be a different view
To be a me with a you
I want to know what it's like
On the inside of love
I'm standing at the gates
I see the beauty above
I want to know what it's like
On the inside of love
Of course I'll be all right
I just had a bad night
I had a bad night
It kills all thought
Getting spacier than
An astronaut
Making out with people
I hardly know or like
I can't believe what I do
Late at night
I want to know what it's like
On the inside of love
I'm standing at the gates
I see the beauty above
Only when we get to see
The aerial view
Will the patterns show
We'll know what to do
I know the last page so well
I can't read the first
So I just don't start
It's getting worse
I want to know what it's like
On the inside of love
I'm standing at the gates
I see the beauty above
I want to know what it's like
On the inside of love
I can't find my way in
I try again and again
I'm on the outside of love
Always under or above
I can't find my way in
I try again and again
I'm on the outside of love
Always under or above
Must be a different view
To be a me with a you
I want to know what it's like
On the inside of love
I'm standing at the gates
I see the beauty above
I want to know what it's like
On the inside of love
Of course I'll be all right
I just had a bad night
I had a bad night
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This morning I got up the bed and the chorus of this song was what I was thinking about. So I put this song on repeat and have been listening to it now for straight one hour or so. I am remembering my exes who are now engaged or married. I am here 25 years old learning music, poetry, songwriting and nothing actually seems to be working out. I made out with a friend last night and we laughed it off the next morning. Then went out to have breakfast and I saw my ex on the streets with a group of her friends who are not there in my friend list after we broke up. This song speaks volumes to me now, it always has. ofcourse I will be alright I just had a bad night . .