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.
Can't pretend that you're nothing special
You've got to look at all of your options
You can't decide what to go for
When it's all about trust
You see yourself on the tv
You read your magazine
You can't explain how it's come to be this
Stop and think...
When it's all about trust
This coverage, your centre spread
Your neon light daydream will
Shatter and break
And if you think I'm thinking of
You're value here
You're the one who's losing control
This eventual stop, this break in the mould
I scream down this hotline
Just to feel something
This situation isn't getting any better
I see that look in your eyes (the look in your eyes)
You want to see a pretty face?
There isn't anything wrong with giving up
And for what it's worth
I still hate you
You've got to look at all of your options
You can't decide what to go for
When it's all about trust
You see yourself on the tv
You read your magazine
You can't explain how it's come to be this
Stop and think...
When it's all about trust
This coverage, your centre spread
Your neon light daydream will
Shatter and break
And if you think I'm thinking of
You're value here
You're the one who's losing control
This eventual stop, this break in the mould
I scream down this hotline
Just to feel something
This situation isn't getting any better
I see that look in your eyes (the look in your eyes)
You want to see a pretty face?
There isn't anything wrong with giving up
And for what it's worth
I still hate you
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Funeral For a Friend is great, I just wish he would tone the screaming down a bit. The screaming works good on a lot of great bands like UNDEROATH and ATREYU but this dude's voice is too nice to cover up with too much screaming.