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.
Kidnapped!
I was kidnapped.
I dreamed I was kidnapped.
By a guy with a moustache
And a chick with an eyepatch
Who though they could trade me back
For some quick cash.
But when they relayed the bargain
My family said,
"we'll pay half that"
the haggling went on for days,
The days went on for weeks
And weeks for years.
Riding in the trunk was never fun
But soon I plum ran out of tears.
They camped us in the woods
We cooked canned goods
They never threatened me with pain.
They treated cops politely
Driving nightly
Always using coded names.
So if slowly I could trust them
Dare I say it even love them
Who's to blame.
I learned my alphabet
And letterset while setting up
My latest ransom note.
They got me correspondence classes,
Got me glasses,
Gave me dropcloths in the cold.
My fondest memories
Are from my hostage crises
I know it's strange.
Although we got so close
You know they never even
Told me their real names.
I was kidnapped.
I dreamed I was kidnapped.
By a guy with a moustache
And a chick with an eyepatch
Who though they could trade me back
For some quick cash.
But when they relayed the bargain
My family said,
"we'll pay half that"
the haggling went on for days,
The days went on for weeks
And weeks for years.
Riding in the trunk was never fun
But soon I plum ran out of tears.
They camped us in the woods
We cooked canned goods
They never threatened me with pain.
They treated cops politely
Driving nightly
Always using coded names.
So if slowly I could trust them
Dare I say it even love them
Who's to blame.
I learned my alphabet
And letterset while setting up
My latest ransom note.
They got me correspondence classes,
Got me glasses,
Gave me dropcloths in the cold.
My fondest memories
Are from my hostage crises
I know it's strange.
Although we got so close
You know they never even
Told me their real names.
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This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
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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.
My favourite Les Savy Fav song. From memory i think this song was based on a dream harrington had one night. Whether or not this holds any real truth to harringtons relationship with his parents, i think people out there can definately relate to these lyrics.
PS - Aren't his play of words, phrases and rhymes just outstanding! (this goes for all LSF songs)