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.
Do you remember anyone here?
No you don't remember anything at all
I'm sleeping, I'm flat on my back
Never woke up, had no regrets
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
There's a party up there all the time
And they'll party till they drop
Other people can go home
Everybody else can split
I'll be here all the time
No, I can never quit
Take a walk through the land of shadows
Take a walk through the peaceful meadows
Don't look so disappointed
It isn't what you hoped for, is it?
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
I'm stuck here in this seat
I might not stand up
Other people can go home
Other people they will split
I'll be here all the time
No, I can never quit
Everything is very quiet
Everyone has gone to sleep
I'm wide awake on memories
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
No you don't remember anything at all
I'm sleeping, I'm flat on my back
Never woke up, had no regrets
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
There's a party up there all the time
And they'll party till they drop
Other people can go home
Everybody else can split
I'll be here all the time
No, I can never quit
Take a walk through the land of shadows
Take a walk through the peaceful meadows
Don't look so disappointed
It isn't what you hoped for, is it?
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
I'm stuck here in this seat
I might not stand up
Other people can go home
Other people they will split
I'll be here all the time
No, I can never quit
Everything is very quiet
Everyone has gone to sleep
I'm wide awake on memories
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
Lyrics submitted by Chris_Gough
Memories Can't Wait Lyrics as written by Jerry Harrison David Byrne
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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He certainly did earn that reputation.
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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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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.
I`ve read all your comments, they sound both convincing and rather depressing. Thank you for all of them. But, in my private opinion:
How come you are all wrong? :-)
This song is about the insatiable lust for life.
"There is a party in my mind" - I am alive and vital. "And I HOPE it never stops" - I consider it a good thing. I like it. I hope it stays this way.
"Other people can go home" - I don
t care if you feel the same. I know Im right."I
m wide awake on memories" - My experiences are important to me. Im eager to live my life fully. "These memories cant wait" - Its about the future that starts now. Life with its experiences and adventures awaits us. The author is eager to earn new experiences, to be later referred to as memories. If you dont live your life, you dont get many memories.And the music at the end of this song is rather uplifting. It cheers you up. The song is about the beauty of being alive.
Leszek
@leszy77 very interesting interpretation! :)