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.
Ah, don't you know, I've been on my own
But I'm coming home.
And I'd like you to be there,
I feel a little cold in the air,
And you're not anywhere.
You're just another face, I used to know.
But there is still a chance to hold on to our love,
'Cos I gave you everything, everything I had.
Ooh, like it or not
You have done it this time
And like it or not, I've had enough.
Ooh, like it or not
There's a lot I could say
'Cos I've got a lot on my mind.
It won't be very long
You're just another face
That I once used to know
And I gave you everything,
But what have I got to show? Oh Oh
Oh, like it or not
You are out on the street
And like it or not
That's where you will stay.
Oh, like it or not
There's another thing darling,
Well I just could not stand another day
'Cos if you want to know,
That there is still a chance to hold on to our love
'Cos I gave you everything
Everything I had - Everything I had.
It's been a long, been a long long time
Since I held anybody, since I loved anyone.
Oh it's been a long, been a long long long time
But if I'm right or if I'm wrong, does it matter anyway?
It's been a long long long long time
Since I held anybody, since I loved anyone.
Ooh it's been a long long long long time
But if I'm right or if I'm wrong, does it matter anyway?
Ooh it's been a long long long long time
Since I held anybody, since I loved anyone.
Oh it's been a long, been a long long long time
I'm right, if I'm wrong, does it matter anyway?
It's been a long long, long long long time
Since I held anybody, since I held anyone.
But I'm coming home.
And I'd like you to be there,
I feel a little cold in the air,
And you're not anywhere.
You're just another face, I used to know.
But there is still a chance to hold on to our love,
'Cos I gave you everything, everything I had.
Ooh, like it or not
You have done it this time
And like it or not, I've had enough.
Ooh, like it or not
There's a lot I could say
'Cos I've got a lot on my mind.
It won't be very long
You're just another face
That I once used to know
And I gave you everything,
But what have I got to show? Oh Oh
Oh, like it or not
You are out on the street
And like it or not
That's where you will stay.
Oh, like it or not
There's another thing darling,
Well I just could not stand another day
'Cos if you want to know,
That there is still a chance to hold on to our love
'Cos I gave you everything
Everything I had - Everything I had.
It's been a long, been a long long time
Since I held anybody, since I loved anyone.
Oh it's been a long, been a long long long time
But if I'm right or if I'm wrong, does it matter anyway?
It's been a long long long long time
Since I held anybody, since I loved anyone.
Ooh it's been a long long long long time
But if I'm right or if I'm wrong, does it matter anyway?
Ooh it's been a long long long long time
Since I held anybody, since I loved anyone.
Oh it's been a long, been a long long long time
I'm right, if I'm wrong, does it matter anyway?
It's been a long long, long long long time
Since I held anybody, since I held anyone.
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Like It or Not Lyrics as written by Mike Rutherford (gb)
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Gotta be about Phil's wife. The year after, a quarter of the songs on his solo album were about slamming his wife and another quarter were about making up w/her.
Doh! I just realized that Phil didn't even write it! Well, maybe Mike was inspired by his story.
Except it was written separately by Mike Rutherford, not Phil Collins.
@Angus No...Mike Rutherford wrote it so. Its a Love song about hating the situation of not being able to see his love whenever he wants to. Like what the last guy said above.