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.
Was Ridin' along side the highway rollin' up the country side.
Thinkin' I'm the devil's heatwave what you burn in your crazy mind?
Saw a slight distraction standin' by the road;
She was smilin' there yellow in her hair;
Do you wanna I was thinkin' would you care.
CHORUS:
Sweet Hitch a Hiker
We could make music at the Greasy King.
Sweet Hitch a Hiker
Won't you ride on my fast machine?
Cruisin' on thru the junction, I'm flyin' 'bout the speed of sound,
Noticin' peculiar function, I ain't no roller coaster show me down.
I turned away to see her, Woa! she caught my eye,
But I was rollin' down, movin' too fast;
Do you wanna, She was thinkin' can it last.
CHORUS
Was busted up along the highway, I'm the saddest ridin' fool alive.
Wond'ring if you're goin' in my way, won't you give a poor boy a ride?
Here she comes a ridin', Lord, She's flyin' high.
But she was rollin' down, movin' too fast;
Do you wanna, She was thinkin' can I last.
CHORUS
CHORUS
CHORUS
Thinkin' I'm the devil's heatwave what you burn in your crazy mind?
Saw a slight distraction standin' by the road;
She was smilin' there yellow in her hair;
Do you wanna I was thinkin' would you care.
CHORUS:
Sweet Hitch a Hiker
We could make music at the Greasy King.
Sweet Hitch a Hiker
Won't you ride on my fast machine?
Cruisin' on thru the junction, I'm flyin' 'bout the speed of sound,
Noticin' peculiar function, I ain't no roller coaster show me down.
I turned away to see her, Woa! she caught my eye,
But I was rollin' down, movin' too fast;
Do you wanna, She was thinkin' can it last.
CHORUS
Was busted up along the highway, I'm the saddest ridin' fool alive.
Wond'ring if you're goin' in my way, won't you give a poor boy a ride?
Here she comes a ridin', Lord, She's flyin' high.
But she was rollin' down, movin' too fast;
Do you wanna, She was thinkin' can I last.
CHORUS
CHORUS
CHORUS
Lyrics submitted by 3ssence
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In this song, John Fogerty shows, that making music and riding a motorcycle are things that fit together perfectly. It's pure rock, a song about riding on the highway with a kind person on pillion, feeling the freedom.
The original video clip of the song is also great!