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.
If you go, they'll say you're following
If you don't, then you're too good for them
If you smile, you must be ignorant
If you don't, what's your problem
If you're down, so ungrateful
And if you're happy, why so selfish?
You can't win no, you can't win no
The one who doesn't quite fit in
Under dressed under your skin
Oh a walking disaster
Every time you try to fly you end up fallin'
Out of line
Oh you can't, you can't win no
If you're thin, call it a walkin' disease
If you're not, they're all screamin' obese
If you're straight, why aren't you married yet?
If you're gay, why aren't you waving a flag?
If it's wrong, you'll never hit
If it's right, you'll always miss
You can't win, no you can't win no
The one who doesn't quite fit in
Under dressed under your skin
Oh a walking disaster
Every time you try to fly you end up fallin'
Out of line
Oh you can't, you can't win no
And you try you try so hard
But I swear it on your heart
And you play you play the game
But you pay you pay for it
You can't win no, you can't win no
If you speak, you'll only piss them off
If you don't, you're another robot
If you stop, they'll just say you quit
If you don't, you might lose your shh
You can't win no, you can't win no
You can't win no
The one who doesn't quite fit in
Under dressed under your skin
Oh a walking disaster
Every time you try to fly you end up fallin'
Out of line
Oh you can't, you can't win no
I can't win
The one who doesn't quite fit in
Under dressed under your skin
Oh a walking disaster
Every time you try to fly you end up fallin'
Out of line
Oh you can't, you can't win no
If you don't, then you're too good for them
If you smile, you must be ignorant
If you don't, what's your problem
If you're down, so ungrateful
And if you're happy, why so selfish?
You can't win no, you can't win no
The one who doesn't quite fit in
Under dressed under your skin
Oh a walking disaster
Every time you try to fly you end up fallin'
Out of line
Oh you can't, you can't win no
If you're thin, call it a walkin' disease
If you're not, they're all screamin' obese
If you're straight, why aren't you married yet?
If you're gay, why aren't you waving a flag?
If it's wrong, you'll never hit
If it's right, you'll always miss
You can't win, no you can't win no
The one who doesn't quite fit in
Under dressed under your skin
Oh a walking disaster
Every time you try to fly you end up fallin'
Out of line
Oh you can't, you can't win no
And you try you try so hard
But I swear it on your heart
And you play you play the game
But you pay you pay for it
You can't win no, you can't win no
If you speak, you'll only piss them off
If you don't, you're another robot
If you stop, they'll just say you quit
If you don't, you might lose your shh
You can't win no, you can't win no
You can't win no
The one who doesn't quite fit in
Under dressed under your skin
Oh a walking disaster
Every time you try to fly you end up fallin'
Out of line
Oh you can't, you can't win no
I can't win
The one who doesn't quite fit in
Under dressed under your skin
Oh a walking disaster
Every time you try to fly you end up fallin'
Out of line
Oh you can't, you can't win no
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
Show Me a Little Shame
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
He certainly did earn that reputation.
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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Clarkson penned the song when she was touring her previous album, All I Ever Wanted. She explained the song's meaning to SameSame.com.au: "I wrote the song about having a really hard time with not even just people I was working with but just media, and the portrayal of All I Ever Wanted, fans and friends and family… everybody was like, you can't win. If you're the girl next door it's like 'boring', or if you're wild and crazy it's like 'oh you need to go to rehab'. Or people will be like 'Oh, you're gay, right?', and I'm like 'well, no', but then it's like 'if you're straight, why aren't you married?', so it's like I can't win either way! It's that whole thing of I'm never gonna please you, so I'm going to stop trying."
Clarkson wrote the song in Germany whilst her make up artist was trying to get her ready for one of her gigs. She recalled to SameSame.com.au: "I wrote it during hair and make-up, and so she was trying to do stuff and I was like 'I need to go to the bathroom and record this in Garageband or I'm gonna forget the melody!' so I had to go and do it; I always do that to her and she gets pissed off, but I can't help it! You get inspired when you get inspired!"