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.
Yellow bird flying gets shot in the wing
Good year for hunters and Christmas parties
And I hate and I hate and I hate
And I hate elevator music
The way we fight
The way I'm left here silent
Oh these little earthquakes
Here we go again
These little earthquakes
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
We danced in graveyards with vampires 'till dawn
We laughed in the faces of king never afraid to burn
And I hate and I hate and I hate
And I hate disintegration
Watching us wither
Black winged roses that safely changed their color
Oh these little earthquakes
Here we go again
These little earthquakes
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
I can't reach you
I can't reach you
I can't reach you
I can't reach you
I can't reach you
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Oh these little earthquakes
Here we go again
These little earthquakes
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
Good year for hunters and Christmas parties
And I hate and I hate and I hate
And I hate elevator music
The way we fight
The way I'm left here silent
Oh these little earthquakes
Here we go again
These little earthquakes
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
We danced in graveyards with vampires 'till dawn
We laughed in the faces of king never afraid to burn
And I hate and I hate and I hate
And I hate disintegration
Watching us wither
Black winged roses that safely changed their color
Oh these little earthquakes
Here we go again
These little earthquakes
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
I can't reach you
I can't reach you
I can't reach you
I can't reach you
I can't reach you
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Oh these little earthquakes
Here we go again
These little earthquakes
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
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I had a girlfriend with chemical depression. The worst "Little Earthquakes". The smallest thing could blow her whole world apart - leaving her crying in a closet for days. There was nothing really wrong - but she'd be paralyzed with fear and sorrow. Finally, I was so terrified - I took her to a Doctor who put her on Anti-Depressants. Her moods leveled. She hated the numb feeling... along with the loss of true excitement.
It made her hate me... and she decided to toss out the AD's. She wanted life raw again. Good and bad. Highs and desperate lows. When I hear this song " Give me life. Give me pain. Give me myself again." I can't help but wonder if it was about Anti-Depresants or other pills... and breaking from them.