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 seen my old lady's boyfriend.
He don't look nothing like me,
'Cept for a bit of confusion;
Same kind she laid on me.
You don't know what you're getting into;
She's gonna tear you apart.
You're going places I've been to;
Take a look at my heart.
Take a look at my heart.
You're pro'bly sending her flowers
And talking to her on the phone.
You're gonna get it together
And find yourself all alone.
Do you think you can be her lover
And not become her fool?
Do you think that you are the exception to the rule?
You're gonna hate all her girlfriends
And everything that they say.
You ask me how do I know this?
They come around every day.
He don't look nothing like me,
'Cept for a bit of confusion;
Same kind she laid on me.
You don't know what you're getting into;
She's gonna tear you apart.
You're going places I've been to;
Take a look at my heart.
Take a look at my heart.
You're pro'bly sending her flowers
And talking to her on the phone.
You're gonna get it together
And find yourself all alone.
Do you think you can be her lover
And not become her fool?
Do you think that you are the exception to the rule?
You're gonna hate all her girlfriends
And everything that they say.
You ask me how do I know this?
They come around every day.
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
Every time I see my ex-wife and the guy she cheated with, I think of this song. Just brings me a great big smile.
Why this song was not a huge hit, I can’t figure out.