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.
I read it in a magazine
I don't wanna see it again
I threw away the magazine
And looked for someone to explain
I don't wanna look back
I can't look 'round
I don't wanna see it coming 'round
Listen to the ups and downs
Listen to the sound they make
Don't be scared when it gets loud
When your skin begins to shake
'Cause you don't wanna look back
You gotta look tall
Gotta see those creeps crawl
I know you know
I know you know
Well I can see you've got the blues
In your alligator shoes
Me I'm all smiles
I've got my crocodiles
I don't wanna look back
I can't turn 'round
I don't wanna see it coming down
Met someone just the other day
He said wait until tomorrow
I said hey, whatcha doing today?
He said I'm gonna do it tomorrow
I don't wanna see it again
I threw away the magazine
And looked for someone to explain
I don't wanna look back
I can't look 'round
I don't wanna see it coming 'round
Listen to the ups and downs
Listen to the sound they make
Don't be scared when it gets loud
When your skin begins to shake
'Cause you don't wanna look back
You gotta look tall
Gotta see those creeps crawl
I know you know
I know you know
Well I can see you've got the blues
In your alligator shoes
Me I'm all smiles
I've got my crocodiles
I don't wanna look back
I can't turn 'round
I don't wanna see it coming down
Met someone just the other day
He said wait until tomorrow
I said hey, whatcha doing today?
He said I'm gonna do it tomorrow
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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.
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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.
@camelpimp As far as I can recall, it wasn't talked about or brought up during the Bunnymen's heyday. Though I recently read a 1981 interview where the interviewer said McCulloch could be rock's Howard Hughes as he was fixated on hotel cleanliness (for example, taking hours to inspect all the beds). So a bit of a clue on Mac's OCD tendencies way back in the day. After the 1997 comeback, Mac has talked about his OCD in interviews. Understandably, he doesn't go into a lot of details but it seems to be a substantial factor in his life. And yes, he still deals with it. Just speculating out of my ass here, but I think it may be why he's had the drink and drugs issues--maybe going down the self-medication route.
It never occurred to me as a kid in the 1980's that a cool rock star like Ian McCulloch would have OCD. Heck, I didn't even know the existence of OCD then. But looking back on it, it may explain McCulloch's behavior and battles with depression.
I agree with your last point--McCulloch's lyrics may have definite meanings to him, but overall he and the band were more into creating atmosphere and feelings rather getting a message across.