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.
Everyone's looking, everyone hides
Everyone's telling everyone lies
We're changing the subject, we're turning away
Away from the heart of it all
You say you are happy
Do you think this is fun?
Well it's only a firefly to the light of the sun
You say this is living, you feel so alive
Well you know everything dies
[Chorus]
Even my wonder, even my fear
Only amount to a couple of tears
There is a rhythm, it's near and it's far
It flows through the heart of us
Welcome to another day
It don't seem that different 'cause nothing has changed
I try to remember, try to remember
When we were just running in place
Reasons for living, never come cheap
But even your best ones can put me to sleep
What I am saying or trying to say
Is that there must be a better way
[Chorus]
It's already in you, it's already there
You may disagree, but I don't really care
Did you ever find out, did you ever find out
What's at the heart of us?
Did you ever find out
Did you ever find out what's at the heart?
Tell me all your wildest dreams
You don't really care, you don't know what they mean
Raiding in the closets, skeleton keys
You know it's easier than you think
[Chorus]
Reasons for living are all really fine,
Leaving me cold thought they're not really mine
Did you ever find out, did you ever find out
What's at the heart of us.
I don't know
I don't know
Everyone's telling everyone lies
We're changing the subject, we're turning away
Away from the heart of it all
You say you are happy
Do you think this is fun?
Well it's only a firefly to the light of the sun
You say this is living, you feel so alive
Well you know everything dies
[Chorus]
Even my wonder, even my fear
Only amount to a couple of tears
There is a rhythm, it's near and it's far
It flows through the heart of us
Welcome to another day
It don't seem that different 'cause nothing has changed
I try to remember, try to remember
When we were just running in place
Reasons for living, never come cheap
But even your best ones can put me to sleep
What I am saying or trying to say
Is that there must be a better way
[Chorus]
It's already in you, it's already there
You may disagree, but I don't really care
Did you ever find out, did you ever find out
What's at the heart of us?
Did you ever find out
Did you ever find out what's at the heart?
Tell me all your wildest dreams
You don't really care, you don't know what they mean
Raiding in the closets, skeleton keys
You know it's easier than you think
[Chorus]
Reasons for living are all really fine,
Leaving me cold thought they're not really mine
Did you ever find out, did you ever find out
What's at the heart of us.
I don't know
I don't know
Lyrics submitted by wellbutrin
Reasons for Living Lyrics as written by Duncan Sheik
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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wow.. I can't believe this song hasn't been commented on yet. It is probably one of the most amazing songs I've ever heard - imo. For the record:
"It's already in you, it's already there You may disagree, but I don't really care Did you ever find out, did you ever find out What's at the heart of us? Did you ever find out, did you ever find out.. What's at the heart? Tell me all you wildest dreams I don't really care if you don't know what they mean We're raiding the closets with skeleton keys You know it's easier than you think."
That's the greatest part, but the entire song, really, is great.