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.
7 a.m.
The garbage truck beeps as it backs up
And I start my day thinking about what I've thrown away
Could I push rewind?
The credits traverse signifying the end
But I missed the best part, could we please go back to start?
Forgive my indecision
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, babe
11 a.m.
By now you would think that I would be up
But my bed sheets shade the heat of choices I've made
And what did I find?
I never thought I could want someone so much
'Cause now you're not here and I'm knee deep in that old fear
Forgive my indecision
I am only a man
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, baby
12 p.m. and my dusty telephone rings
Heavy head up from my pillow, who could it be?
I hope it's you
It's you
Oh, oh-oh-oh
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, the day has come and I want off that ride, babe
The garbage truck beeps as it backs up
And I start my day thinking about what I've thrown away
Could I push rewind?
The credits traverse signifying the end
But I missed the best part, could we please go back to start?
Forgive my indecision
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, babe
11 a.m.
By now you would think that I would be up
But my bed sheets shade the heat of choices I've made
And what did I find?
I never thought I could want someone so much
'Cause now you're not here and I'm knee deep in that old fear
Forgive my indecision
I am only a man
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, baby
12 p.m. and my dusty telephone rings
Heavy head up from my pillow, who could it be?
I hope it's you
It's you
Oh, oh-oh-oh
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, the day has come and I want off that ride, babe
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
![Album art](../../../images/art-default.png)
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
![Album art](../../../images/art-default.png)
when rules change
Life in Your Way
Life in Your Way
High life
![Album art](../../../images/art-default.png)
Grand Theft Auto
Insane Ian
Insane Ian
The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
![Album art](../../../images/art-default.png)
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
![Album art](../../../images/art-default.png)
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Vocal solo at 3:19 phrygian modality. Kind of cool really because of the key changes.
The lyrics are really sophomoric. I had a friend who was a huge Indie guy but he dug Incubus, good lyricist really puts himself out there not scared to do that. And anyways he was talking about the song "Wish you Were Here" and he was saying his sister said "it's so poetic" when it came out and he was laughing about that. Obviously a little more advanced than that lyrically.