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.
Oh Mario, sit here by the window
Stay here till we reach Idaho
And when we go, hold my hand on take off
Tell me what I already know
That we can't talk about it
No, we can't talk about it
[Chorus]
Because nobody knows that's how I nearly fell
Trading clothes and ringing Pavlov's bell
History shows there's not a chance in hell
But, oh, Mario, we're only to Ohio
It's kind of getting harder to breath
I won't let it show, I'm all about denial
But can't deny all that need belief
That we could talk about it
But we can't talk about it
[Chorus]
Oh Mario, why if this is nothing
I'm finding it so hard to dismiss
If you're what I need then only you can save me
So come on baby give me the fix
And let's just talk about it
I've got to talk about it
[Chorus]
That's how I nearly fell
By ringing Pavlov's bell
So baby show and tell
Oh Mario, Mario
Stay here till we reach Idaho
And when we go, hold my hand on take off
Tell me what I already know
That we can't talk about it
No, we can't talk about it
[Chorus]
Because nobody knows that's how I nearly fell
Trading clothes and ringing Pavlov's bell
History shows there's not a chance in hell
But, oh, Mario, we're only to Ohio
It's kind of getting harder to breath
I won't let it show, I'm all about denial
But can't deny all that need belief
That we could talk about it
But we can't talk about it
[Chorus]
Oh Mario, why if this is nothing
I'm finding it so hard to dismiss
If you're what I need then only you can save me
So come on baby give me the fix
And let's just talk about it
I've got to talk about it
[Chorus]
That's how I nearly fell
By ringing Pavlov's bell
So baby show and tell
Oh Mario, Mario
Lyrics submitted by AgathaKavka, edited by ShootTheM14
Pavlov's Bell Lyrics as written by Aimee Mann
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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wow. these lyrics are totally incorrect.
1.) Because nobody knows That'S HOW I nearly fell
2.) ALL of the Mariels should be MARIOs.
3.) I won't let it show I'm all about denial But can't DENIAL let me believe
4.) If you're what I need then only you can save me So come on baby give me the FIX
("give me the fist?" are you kidding me?)
5.) History shows LIKE IT WAS SHOW AND TELL
6.) and this: So tell me/ That someone nearly fell/ By ringing Pavlov's bell/ So then they sure as hell/ Oh Mariel is just laughable. it doesn't even exist in the song. the actual lyrics are:
SO TELL ME/ THAT'S HOW I NEARLY FELL/ BY RINGING PAVLOV'S BELL/ SO BABY, SHOW AND TELL/ OH MARIO, MARIO
please correct this comedy of errors.