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 had this perfect dream
Un sueño me envolvió
This dream was me and you
Tal vez estás aquí
I want all the world to see
Un instinto me guiaba
A miracle sensation
My guide and inspiration
Now my dream is slowly coming true
The wind is a gentle breeze
Él me habló de ti
The bells are ringing out
El canto vuela
They're calling us together
Guiding us forever
Wish my dream would never go away
Barcelona it was the first time that we met
Barcelona how can I forget
The moment that you stepped into the room you took my breath away
Barcelona la música vibró
Barcelona y ella nos unió
And if God willing we will meet again, someday
Let the songs begin
Déjalo nacer
Let the music play
Ah
Make the voices sing
Nace un gran amor
Start the celebration
Ven a mí
And cry
Grita
Come alive
Vive
And shake the foundations from the skies
Ah, ah, shaking all our lives
Barcelona such a beautiful horizon
Barcelona like a jewel in the sun
Por ti seré gaviota de tu bella mar
Barcelona suenan las campanas
Barcelona abre tus puertas al mundo
If God is willing
If God is willing
If God is willing
Friends until the end
Viva, Barcelona
Un sueño me envolvió
This dream was me and you
Tal vez estás aquí
I want all the world to see
Un instinto me guiaba
A miracle sensation
My guide and inspiration
Now my dream is slowly coming true
The wind is a gentle breeze
Él me habló de ti
The bells are ringing out
El canto vuela
They're calling us together
Guiding us forever
Wish my dream would never go away
Barcelona it was the first time that we met
Barcelona how can I forget
The moment that you stepped into the room you took my breath away
Barcelona la música vibró
Barcelona y ella nos unió
And if God willing we will meet again, someday
Let the songs begin
Déjalo nacer
Let the music play
Ah
Make the voices sing
Nace un gran amor
Start the celebration
Ven a mí
And cry
Grita
Come alive
Vive
And shake the foundations from the skies
Ah, ah, shaking all our lives
Barcelona such a beautiful horizon
Barcelona like a jewel in the sun
Por ti seré gaviota de tu bella mar
Barcelona suenan las campanas
Barcelona abre tus puertas al mundo
If God is willing
If God is willing
If God is willing
Friends until the end
Viva, Barcelona
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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?
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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.
I implore people to listen to the Barcelona album in its entirety. It's a series of songs that tell a simple love story between a Rock star and a fan which comes to nothing. It is an extraordinarily beautiful piece of work which gives us a tantilising glimpse of what may have been had this incredibly talented man lived.