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.
It's not enough you passed it for a while,
You can't afford the amass of denial.
Don't explain, you can't arcane it too.
Your lies surpassed your doubt.
Don't do something you'll regret
It's not enough you passed it for a while,
The time you take,
Your minds mistake,
Time worth throwing all away.
It's not enough attention,
Though you're too proud to mention,
I can't go on pretending,
That it's still the same
You can't afford the amass of denial.
Don't explain, you can't arcane it too.
Your lies surpassed your doubt.
Don't do something you'll regret
It's not enough you passed it for a while,
The time you take,
Your minds mistake,
Time worth throwing all away.
It's not enough attention,
Though you're too proud to mention,
I can't go on pretending,
That it's still the same
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No strong leads as to what this song is about... The max headroom thing is a hint but haven't tied it in yet.
Seems like it's about a girl or a friend who is making really bad choices and playing ignorant about them.
The last part of the song he's giving up on the person somewhat.
--So maybe the title (Second Chance for Max Headroom) parallels to Max Headroom getting a second chance but failing (I'm not sure how popular he was when he re-emerged)... but maybe this person got a second chance and just flat out blew it.
The punky part might be the intermission between the first and second chances.
Just some wild, frantic guesses/suggestions.