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.
I. In The Flesh (Pink Floyd cover)
So 'ya
Thought 'ya
Might like to
Go to the show
To feel the warm thrill of confusion
That space cadet glow
Tell me is something eluding you sunshine?
Is this not what you expected to see?
If you wanna find out what's behind this cold eyes?
You'll just have to claw your way through this disguise
Lights...
Roll the sound effects...
Action...
Shout out! (shout out)
Shout out! (shout out)
Shout out! (shout out)
II. Carry on Wayward Son (Kansas cover) ~excerpt
[instrumental]
III. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen cover) ~excerpt
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye
So you think you can love me and leave me to die
Oh, baby
Can't do this to me, baby
Just gotta get out
Just gotta get right outta here
IV. Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin (Journey cover)
You make me weep
And wanna die
Just when
You said we'd try
Lovin', touchin', squeezin'
Each other
When I'm alone
Oh by myself
You're out
With someone else
Lovin', touchin', squeezin'
Each other
You're tearin' me apart
Every day, every day
You're tearin' me apart
Oh what can I say?
You're tearin' me apart
It won't be long, no
Until you're alone
When you're lover
Oh he hasn't come home
'Cause he's lovin', oh he's touchin', he's squeezin'
Another
He's tearin' you apart
Every day, every day
He's tearin' you apart
Oh girl what can you say?
'Cause he's lovin', touchin', another
Now it's your turn, girl, to cry
V. Cruise Control (Dixie Dregs cover) ~excerpt
[instrumental]
VI. Turn it on Again (Gensis cover) ~excerpt
Turn it on
Turn it on, turn it on again
Turn it on
Turn it on, turn it on again
Turn it on
Turn it on, turn it on again
Turn it on
Turn it on, turn it on again
So 'ya
Thought 'ya
Might like to
Go to the show
To feel the warm thrill of confusion
That space cadet glow
Tell me is something eluding you sunshine?
Is this not what you expected to see?
If you wanna find out what's behind this cold eyes?
You'll just have to claw your way through this disguise
Lights...
Roll the sound effects...
Action...
Shout out! (shout out)
Shout out! (shout out)
Shout out! (shout out)
II. Carry on Wayward Son (Kansas cover) ~excerpt
[instrumental]
III. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen cover) ~excerpt
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye
So you think you can love me and leave me to die
Oh, baby
Can't do this to me, baby
Just gotta get out
Just gotta get right outta here
IV. Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin (Journey cover)
You make me weep
And wanna die
Just when
You said we'd try
Lovin', touchin', squeezin'
Each other
When I'm alone
Oh by myself
You're out
With someone else
Lovin', touchin', squeezin'
Each other
You're tearin' me apart
Every day, every day
You're tearin' me apart
Oh what can I say?
You're tearin' me apart
It won't be long, no
Until you're alone
When you're lover
Oh he hasn't come home
'Cause he's lovin', oh he's touchin', he's squeezin'
Another
He's tearin' you apart
Every day, every day
He's tearin' you apart
Oh girl what can you say?
'Cause he's lovin', touchin', another
Now it's your turn, girl, to cry
V. Cruise Control (Dixie Dregs cover) ~excerpt
[instrumental]
VI. Turn it on Again (Gensis cover) ~excerpt
Turn it on
Turn it on, turn it on again
Turn it on
Turn it on, turn it on again
Turn it on
Turn it on, turn it on again
Turn it on
Turn it on, turn it on again
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For those that don't know who originally sang which parts:
In The Flesh - Pink Floyd Carry On Weyward Son - Kansas Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen Lovin', touchin', squeezin' - Journey Cruise Control - Dixie Dregs Turn It On Again - Genesis