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.
White Line fever
Takes me high
Another city
Another lie
Another town
Another face
Another woman to take your place
Catch the bullet
Ride the storm
Drive me crazy 'till the dawn
Like an eagle flying high
Look for freedom in the sky
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
Don't go breaking my heart
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
She's gonna tear me apart
Rollin' thunder
Movin' on
Another time
Another song
Another room
Another night
Another dream
Another fight
Keep on movin' down the line
Gypsy woman on my mind
Ask no questions tell no lies
See the answers in my eyes
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
Don't go breaking my heart
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
She's gonna tear me apart
(Hey gypsy, you're breakin' my heart,
Tear me apart)
White Line fever
Takes me high
Another city
Another lie
Another town
Another face
Another woman to take your place
Catch the bullet
Ride the storm
Drive me crazy 'till the dawn
Like an eagle flying high
Look for freedom in the sky
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
Don't go breaking my heart
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
She's gonna tear me apart
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
Don't go breaking my heart
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
Yeah
Takes me high
Another city
Another lie
Another town
Another face
Another woman to take your place
Catch the bullet
Ride the storm
Drive me crazy 'till the dawn
Like an eagle flying high
Look for freedom in the sky
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
Don't go breaking my heart
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
She's gonna tear me apart
Rollin' thunder
Movin' on
Another time
Another song
Another room
Another night
Another dream
Another fight
Keep on movin' down the line
Gypsy woman on my mind
Ask no questions tell no lies
See the answers in my eyes
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
Don't go breaking my heart
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
She's gonna tear me apart
(Hey gypsy, you're breakin' my heart,
Tear me apart)
White Line fever
Takes me high
Another city
Another lie
Another town
Another face
Another woman to take your place
Catch the bullet
Ride the storm
Drive me crazy 'till the dawn
Like an eagle flying high
Look for freedom in the sky
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
Don't go breaking my heart
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
She's gonna tear me apart
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
Don't go breaking my heart
She's a rock 'n roll gypsy
Yeah
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
The Spy
Doors, The
Doors, The
Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
Battle Royale
Word Alive, The
Word Alive, The
This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
A bit complicated to explain, but it's about the wild and thrilling lifestyle of musicians on the road. It describes the intoxicating effects of the touring lifestyle, where new cities, faces, and romantic encounters constantly surround the protagonist. It also describes a woman who embodies the rock 'n' roll spirit. The woman, the gypsy, represents the intense and unpredictable nature of relationships formed on the road. The protagonist is drawn to her but is also aware of the potential heartbreak that can come with this lifestyle. To put it short, it captures the intoxicating and relentless nature of a musician's life on tour, portraying the thrill of the road, the fleeting connections formed in different cities, and the intense desire for freedom and self-expression that characterizes the rock 'n' roll lifestyle.