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.
Seventeen a nature's queen, know what I mean?
Twenty-one, a long one
You can see the numbers run
Now you look so peaceful, lyin' there asleep
With the wings of God above you
Before the spirits meet
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Shadow earth is closin' in above the lamps in your street
Lucifer goes walkin' down for you to meet
Minutes pass so slowly by the hands on your clock
Heaven's door, just no way in
You can knock
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
With all darkness closin' in
Will the light reveal your soul?
Just one sweet kiss on your clay cold lips
Long, long sleep you'll never know
Where do we go, where do we go
Where do we go from here?
Seventeen a nature's queen, know what I mean?
Twenty-one, a long one
You can see the numbers run
Now you look so peaceful, lyin' there asleep
With the wings of God above you
Before the spirits meet
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Twenty-one, a long one
You can see the numbers run
Now you look so peaceful, lyin' there asleep
With the wings of God above you
Before the spirits meet
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Shadow earth is closin' in above the lamps in your street
Lucifer goes walkin' down for you to meet
Minutes pass so slowly by the hands on your clock
Heaven's door, just no way in
You can knock
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
With all darkness closin' in
Will the light reveal your soul?
Just one sweet kiss on your clay cold lips
Long, long sleep you'll never know
Where do we go, where do we go
Where do we go from here?
Seventeen a nature's queen, know what I mean?
Twenty-one, a long one
You can see the numbers run
Now you look so peaceful, lyin' there asleep
With the wings of God above you
Before the spirits meet
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Lyrics submitted by Golgotha, edited by KillKiss, daddyouranos, MattCais
Rock Bottom Lyrics as written by Phillip John Mogg Michael Schenker
Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Probably my favorite from Strangers in the Night. That soloing, though! Shit just takes you on a musical journey. Feel like I just went through the five stages of grief or something. Tight tight tight!