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.
Pretentious attention
Dismissive apprehension
Don't waste your time, on coffins today
When we decline, from the confines of our mind
Don't waste your time, on coffins today
Don't you see their bodies burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying of anticipation
Choking from intoxication
Don't you see their bodies burning?
I want you to be
Left behind those empty walls
Taunt you to see
From behind those empty walls
Those empty walls
When we decline, from the confines of our mind
Don't waste your time, on coffins today
Don't you see their bodies burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying of anticipation
Choking from intoxication
Don't you see their bodies burning?
I want you to be
Left behind those empty walls
Taunt you to see
From behind those empty walls
I want you to be
Left behind those empty walls
I taunt you to see from behind those empty walls
From behind those empty walls
I loved you (from behind those empty walls)
Yesterday, before (from behind those empty walls)
You killed my family (the walls)
Don't you see their bodies burn
Don't you see their bodies burn
I want you to be left behind those empty walls
Taunt you to see from behind those empty walls
I want you to be left behind those empty walls
Taunt you to see from behind those empty walls
From behind those empty walls
From behind those fucking walls
From behind those goddamn walls
Those walls, those walls
Dismissive apprehension
Don't waste your time, on coffins today
When we decline, from the confines of our mind
Don't waste your time, on coffins today
Don't you see their bodies burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying of anticipation
Choking from intoxication
Don't you see their bodies burning?
I want you to be
Left behind those empty walls
Taunt you to see
From behind those empty walls
Those empty walls
When we decline, from the confines of our mind
Don't waste your time, on coffins today
Don't you see their bodies burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying of anticipation
Choking from intoxication
Don't you see their bodies burning?
I want you to be
Left behind those empty walls
Taunt you to see
From behind those empty walls
I want you to be
Left behind those empty walls
I taunt you to see from behind those empty walls
From behind those empty walls
I loved you (from behind those empty walls)
Yesterday, before (from behind those empty walls)
You killed my family (the walls)
Don't you see their bodies burn
Don't you see their bodies burn
I want you to be left behind those empty walls
Taunt you to see from behind those empty walls
I want you to be left behind those empty walls
Taunt you to see from behind those empty walls
From behind those empty walls
From behind those fucking walls
From behind those goddamn walls
Those walls, those walls
Lyrics submitted by naeem9, edited by earthlybird
Empty Walls Lyrics as written by Serj Tankian
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
when rules change
Life in Your Way
Life in Your Way
High life
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
"From behind those empty walls"
Empty walls could be the televisions that the public sits behind to watch the war. Soldiers who are there, know how many people are dying and suffering, but the people at home can't see everything since they are sitting behind a TV and stations basically pick out what we get to see on TV and what we skip.
"Don't you see their bodies burning?" No, we are never/rarely shown the bodies of soldiers being tortured/burned/killed.
"I loved you yesterday, (From behind those empty walls...) Before you killed my family, (From behind those empty walls, the walls...)"
What the TV had told us (or didn't) had made us either like or just not mind the countries that we are in war with. Then the TV told us that they killed our families, making us hate them. But we killed their families in return, also. TV doesn't choose to tell us how cruel we are to others. This song isn't leaning towards any side, its showing that both of the sides have the same problems. The media takes over what we see which takes over what we feel.
"(Fuck your empty walls, fuck your empty walls)" Basically, don't listen to everything you are told. Have a little common sense and question whether what the government is showing you is the complete truth or just a half truth.