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.
She's a good girl, loves her mama
Loves Jesus and America too
She's a good girl, is crazy 'bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend too
And it's a long day livin' in Reseda
There's a freeway runnin' through the yard
And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart
And I'm free
Free fallin'
Yeah, I'm free
Free fallin'
And all the vampires walkin' through the valley
Move west down Ventura Boulevard (Ventura Boulevard)
And all the bad boys are standin' in the shadows
And the good girls are home with broken hearts
And I'm free
I'm free fallin'
Yeah, I'm free
Free fallin'
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
I wanna glide down over Mulholland (oh-ah)
I wanna write her name in the sky (oh-ah)
I'm gonna free fall out into nothin' (oh-ah)
Gonna leave this world for awhile (oh-ah)
And I'm free (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Free fallin' (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Yeah, I'm free (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Free fallin' (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
Yeah, I'm free
Free fallin'
Oh! (Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Free fallin' (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
And I'm free (free fallin', now I'm free fallin') oh! (Now I'm)
Free fallin' (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
Free fallin' (free fallin', now I'm free...)
Loves Jesus and America too
She's a good girl, is crazy 'bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend too
And it's a long day livin' in Reseda
There's a freeway runnin' through the yard
And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart
And I'm free
Free fallin'
Yeah, I'm free
Free fallin'
And all the vampires walkin' through the valley
Move west down Ventura Boulevard (Ventura Boulevard)
And all the bad boys are standin' in the shadows
And the good girls are home with broken hearts
And I'm free
I'm free fallin'
Yeah, I'm free
Free fallin'
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
I wanna glide down over Mulholland (oh-ah)
I wanna write her name in the sky (oh-ah)
I'm gonna free fall out into nothin' (oh-ah)
Gonna leave this world for awhile (oh-ah)
And I'm free (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Free fallin' (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Yeah, I'm free (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Free fallin' (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
Yeah, I'm free
Free fallin'
Oh! (Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Free fallin' (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
And I'm free (free fallin', now I'm free fallin') oh! (Now I'm)
Free fallin' (free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm)
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
Free fallin' (free fallin', now I'm free...)
Lyrics submitted by oofus, edited by NUGdunkster, floprete
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Dude..your last sentence sums it up....replace the word FREE-FALLING with FREEBASIN'....and it all falls into place.....if you were smashed out on drugs, you would, most likely lie down staring at the sky.."i'm gonna write her name in the sky". If you are a lyricist you will often start a lyric off with a certain word in a sentence then replace that word at a later date for another which disguises the sentence and throws the audience...a la Lady Gaga.."i'm on the edge of GLORY"...try replacing the GLORY with MADNESS(in my opinion..her original word) and you are halfway to understanding the REAL meaning of a song. Tom Petty could never put out a song about FREEBASING...it just wouldn't happen..but FREE-FALLING suggests FLYING....further proof in my humble lyricists opinion is the line "GONNA LEAVE THIS WORLD FOR A WHILE", which suggests either SLEEPING(as you come back) or something a little more "PRESCRIBED"..if you catch my meaning...i'd love to hear a version with FREEBASIN'.....and i can't stand drugs!!!..or what they do to the world.
Of course...this is only an opinion of a lyricist...happy to share one of my lyrics...google JASMINE "Littlebird" LAMPORT'S "" BREATHE "".....PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT!!!..tell me what you think BREATHE is about....it's a cracking little song by a lovely girl with a beautiful clear vox...diction is amazing.