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 can't get out the bed, I've been fucked up all in my head
In my cup, yeah, you know it's the red
Two redheads like Johnny Test
She said B5 do it the best
Off the shrooms, now I'm asking whats next
Yeah, my heart, it been pounding, I'm hurt you can feel that weed all in my chest
I do not kiss up and no I don't threat
This is a promise, I aim for your head
You can't come around
If them little niggas play, we gon' gun them down
Sorry I wasn't up front, gave a run around
If that boy play, he gon' die
His mama can't do nothin' but sit back and cry
Cry, cry, cry
Cry, cry, cry
Jumped up and got out the bed
Now I'm up and I only see red
I think I'm finna take off his head
Where the mask at, we goin' fast
If they talkin' on my side they playin'
But we take off his head
Playboi, she a Whole Lotta Red
I got a queen now they callin' me Shrek
Like I'm a king, like I did it in chess
I tried to sleep but I can't get no rest
No, I don't hate you, I wish you the best
But don't call my phone if its just for the sex
What the fuck, you think you some type of threat
I pay the pape' and I get that boy dead
Or I'm just gon' do it and go to his head
In my cup, yeah, you know it's the red
Two redheads like Johnny Test
She said B5 do it the best
Off the shrooms, now I'm asking whats next
Yeah, my heart, it been pounding, I'm hurt you can feel that weed all in my chest
I do not kiss up and no I don't threat
This is a promise, I aim for your head
You can't come around
If them little niggas play, we gon' gun them down
Sorry I wasn't up front, gave a run around
If that boy play, he gon' die
His mama can't do nothin' but sit back and cry
Cry, cry, cry
Cry, cry, cry
Jumped up and got out the bed
Now I'm up and I only see red
I think I'm finna take off his head
Where the mask at, we goin' fast
If they talkin' on my side they playin'
But we take off his head
Playboi, she a Whole Lotta Red
I got a queen now they callin' me Shrek
Like I'm a king, like I did it in chess
I tried to sleep but I can't get no rest
No, I don't hate you, I wish you the best
But don't call my phone if its just for the sex
What the fuck, you think you some type of threat
I pay the pape' and I get that boy dead
Or I'm just gon' do it and go to his head
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No one yet?
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I love Bolan's slight lisp, but it's second best to that fuzzed out solo at the end.