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.
Every year is the same
And I feel it again
I'm a loser, no chance to win
Leaves start fallin'
Come down is callin'
Loneliness starts sinking in
But I'm one
I am one
And I can see
That this is me
And I will be
You'll all see
I'm the one
Where do you get
Those blue, blue jeans
Faded, patched secret so tight?
Where do you get
That walk oh so lean?
Your shoes and your shirt's all just right
I'm one
I am one
And I can see
That this is me
And I will be
You'll all see
I'm the one
I got a Gibson
Without a case
But I can't get that even tanned look on my face
Ill fitting clothes
And I blend in the crowd
Fingers so clumsy
Voice too loud
But I'm one
I am one
And I can see
That this is me
And I will be
You'll all see
I'm the one
I'm the one
I'm the one
And I feel it again
I'm a loser, no chance to win
Leaves start fallin'
Come down is callin'
Loneliness starts sinking in
But I'm one
I am one
And I can see
That this is me
And I will be
You'll all see
I'm the one
Where do you get
Those blue, blue jeans
Faded, patched secret so tight?
Where do you get
That walk oh so lean?
Your shoes and your shirt's all just right
I'm one
I am one
And I can see
That this is me
And I will be
You'll all see
I'm the one
I got a Gibson
Without a case
But I can't get that even tanned look on my face
Ill fitting clothes
And I blend in the crowd
Fingers so clumsy
Voice too loud
But I'm one
I am one
And I can see
That this is me
And I will be
You'll all see
I'm the one
I'm the one
I'm the one
Lyrics submitted by Chris_Gough
I'm One Lyrics as written by Peter Dennis Blandfor Townshend
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Abkco Music Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
I love this song so much, I covered it back in the day when I used to play coffee houses. Accepting one's faults is empowering. Singing those lyrics (especially the chorus) into a microphone in front of a crowd is pretty cool too!
Jimmy knows he has four personalities, but he's in denial. He's trying to convince himself that he is okay, he can control all four and he can ultimately be one, even though it can never happen.
Every year is the same And I feel it again, I'm a loser - no chance to win. Leaves start falling, Come down is calling, Loneliness starts sinking in.
But I'm one. I am one. And I can see That this is me,
Change the lyrics from "year" to "week" and thats what i feel in my life now. a few months back i was the life of the pub/club/party, "Mikey'll get the atmosphere goin". Now outta desperation i've made a few fuck up's and been made a cast out by all these people,....
But I'm one. I am one. And I can see That this is me, AND I WILL BE, YOU'LL ALL SEE I'M THE ONE!!.
Because if i get knocked down I always bounce back, This time i'm gonna bounce back bigger than ever!! (just thought i'd share that with you lol)
Its partly about Pete Townsend and his beginnings as a Mod. Of course, it translates to Jimmy. "Where did you get those blue blue jeans" refers to Levi's 501's, a must-have for the casual mod look. So yep. Mods. Ill-fitting clothes, and I blend in the crowd.
This song is the ongoing story of my life. I'm a loser / and/but / I'm one... I'm really One... just you wait.
I don't know how common this combination of opposite self-estimations is. I used to think it was just me... but judging from how this song has been received and reviewed here, I think that, as Bob Dylan says, "in this I am not so unique."
Like Jimmy, nothing ever seems to go just right... how do those perfect/lucky people do it? But never give up on that Gibson. Its still all going to come together one day. You'll all see.
this man knows that he has his faults, he is not like everybody else. he has come to the conclusion that he is crazy, nervous, unfashionable, etc. but he is himself, and as long as he remains a free spirit, he can accept it.
I love this song, it relates to me so much because I am kind of the kid that everyone thinks is weird. It makes me cry a lot, it's such a great song. Every song on Quadrophenia is so touching for me.
This song is AMAZING. I absolutely love it. The beginning starts out so quiet and then it gets louder...and plus the message will always be one that people can relate to.
One of the best songs I've ever heard.
Even though anyone at any age can relate to this, I think it's mainly about teenage fears and self-doubt.
I feel like this most days and theres no chance of things changing, and the feeling of lonely ness