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.
Been trying to be cool ever since high school
Cool like the stars and sexy people in bars
The stars will fall they'll line up in the hall
May sound nice, but it's ugly inside
I lost all my pride
Taken apart
One more false start
How do you think we're gonna do this time around
You're the queen of sound
Been trying to hear something complete
No microtones and no backbeat
Been trying to be cool ever since high school
Cool like the stars and sexy people in bars
Cool like the stars and sexy people in bars
The stars will fall they'll line up in the hall
May sound nice, but it's ugly inside
I lost all my pride
Taken apart
One more false start
How do you think we're gonna do this time around
You're the queen of sound
Been trying to hear something complete
No microtones and no backbeat
Been trying to be cool ever since high school
Cool like the stars and sexy people in bars
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I have the exact same fear right now too. Im just going to try and stay positive and see how long that lasts. Its great how songs like this can help though, Nada Surf are amazing.