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.
Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I'll be watching you
Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I'll be watching you
Oh, can't you see?
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take
Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you
Since you've gone I've been lost without a trace
I dream at night I can only see your face
I look around but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying, baby, baby, please
Oh, can't you see?
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take
Every move you make
And every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you
Every move you make
Every step you take
I'll be watching you (I'll be watching you)
I'll be watching you
I'll be watching you
Watching you
I'll be watching you
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break)
You take (every step you take)
I'll be watching you (every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay) I'll be watching you
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break)
Every smile you fake (every step you take)
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play) every breath you take (every night you stay)
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break) every move you make
(Every step you take)
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play) every vow you break (every night you stay)
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break) every move you make (every step you take)
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play) every breath
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I'll be watching you
Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I'll be watching you
Oh, can't you see?
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take
Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you
Since you've gone I've been lost without a trace
I dream at night I can only see your face
I look around but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying, baby, baby, please
Oh, can't you see?
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take
Every move you make
And every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you
Every move you make
Every step you take
I'll be watching you (I'll be watching you)
I'll be watching you
I'll be watching you
Watching you
I'll be watching you
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break)
You take (every step you take)
I'll be watching you (every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay) I'll be watching you
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break)
Every smile you fake (every step you take)
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play) every breath you take (every night you stay)
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break) every move you make
(Every step you take)
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play) every vow you break (every night you stay)
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break) every move you make (every step you take)
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play) every breath
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
Jesse with the long hair....
Robert Earl Keen, Jr.
Robert Earl Keen, Jr.
Classic love story true to his western tx roots. One of my favorites as a story, but I think there are alot of songs that are amazing not even listed on this site. I guess I should figure out how to add them, because I have about 8 REK cd's.
Show Me a Little Shame
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
He certainly did earn that reputation.
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
I thought it was pretty much accepted that the song is a spiteful rant aimed at an ex-lover by someone who feels bitter and aggrieved about the break-up. The narrator is threatening to make her new life a misrey with his jealousy and clinginess. Sting later said he regretted it and wrote "If you love somebody set them free" to make amends.
The best example of this kind of sarcastic and bitter outpouring is of course Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone". Sting is a pussycat by comparison.