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've got my head, but my head is unraveling
Can't keep control, can't keep track of where it's traveling
I've got my heart, but my heart's no good
And you're the only one that's understood
I'd come along, but I don't know where you're taking me
I shouldn't go, but you're reaching, dragging, shaking me
Turn off the sun, pull the stars from the sky
The more I give to you, the more I die
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You make me hard when I'm all soft inside
I see the truth when I'm all stupid-eyed
The arrow goes straight through my heart
Without you, everything just falls apart
My blood wants to say hello to you
My fears want to get inside of you
My soul is so afraid to realize
How very little good is left of me
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
Take me with you
Take me with you
Take me with you
Take me with you
(Take me) Without you
(With you) Without you, everything falls apart
(Take me) Without you
(With you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
(Take me) Without you
(With you) Without you, everything falls apart
(Take me) Without you
(With you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
(Take me with you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
(Take me with you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
Without you, without you, everything falls apart
Without you, it's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
Can't keep control, can't keep track of where it's traveling
I've got my heart, but my heart's no good
And you're the only one that's understood
I'd come along, but I don't know where you're taking me
I shouldn't go, but you're reaching, dragging, shaking me
Turn off the sun, pull the stars from the sky
The more I give to you, the more I die
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You make me hard when I'm all soft inside
I see the truth when I'm all stupid-eyed
The arrow goes straight through my heart
Without you, everything just falls apart
My blood wants to say hello to you
My fears want to get inside of you
My soul is so afraid to realize
How very little good is left of me
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
You are the perfect drug
The perfect drug, the perfect drug
Take me with you
Take me with you
Take me with you
Take me with you
(Take me) Without you
(With you) Without you, everything falls apart
(Take me) Without you
(With you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
(Take me) Without you
(With you) Without you, everything falls apart
(Take me) Without you
(With you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
(Take me with you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
(Take me with you) It's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
Without you, without you, everything falls apart
Without you, it's not as much fun to pick up the pieces
Lyrics submitted by TwiggysFuckDoll, edited by NINja94, Lyssavirus, tryptych
The Perfect Drug Lyrics as written by Chris Alan Vrenna Charles Clouser
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
The Perfect Drug is about a girl who Trent's character loved or was close to. This girl died (take me with you), and Trent's character now feels lost and depressed (Without you everything just falls apart). The girl is the Perfect Drug because not only does he crave her (And I want you), but she is the only person who understands him (And you're the only one that's understood).