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.
Little Mona Lisa laying by my side
"Crimson and Clover" pullin' overtime
I feel too close to be losin' touch
By givin' in, what am I givin' up
Am I losin' way too much
Hey
California waiting
Every little thing's gotta be just right
Say
While you're tryin' to save me
Can't I get back my lonely life
I'm goin' so fast that I can't slow down
It's hard to get up when you're spinnin' round and round
I'd give you the the news but nothin's changed
I'd sing you a song but they blew it away
All wrapped up in this stupid ass game
Hey
California waiting
Every little thing's gotta be just right
Say
While you're tryin' to save me
Can't I get back my lonely life
Hey
California waiting
Every little thing's gotta be just right
Say
While you're tryin' to save me
Can't I get back my lonely life
Hey
California waiting
Every little thing's gotta be just right
Say
While you're tryin' to save me
Can't I get back my lonely life
Can't I get back my lonely life
Can't I get back my lonely life
"Crimson and Clover" pullin' overtime
I feel too close to be losin' touch
By givin' in, what am I givin' up
Am I losin' way too much
Hey
California waiting
Every little thing's gotta be just right
Say
While you're tryin' to save me
Can't I get back my lonely life
I'm goin' so fast that I can't slow down
It's hard to get up when you're spinnin' round and round
I'd give you the the news but nothin's changed
I'd sing you a song but they blew it away
All wrapped up in this stupid ass game
Hey
California waiting
Every little thing's gotta be just right
Say
While you're tryin' to save me
Can't I get back my lonely life
Hey
California waiting
Every little thing's gotta be just right
Say
While you're tryin' to save me
Can't I get back my lonely life
Hey
California waiting
Every little thing's gotta be just right
Say
While you're tryin' to save me
Can't I get back my lonely life
Can't I get back my lonely life
Can't I get back my lonely life
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i agree muuchh moree with your theory. it's much more profund than a matter of loosing his virginity or not, a guy would never regret that foor suree. yet i think the "can't i get back my lonely life" part means, in his head, even breaking up with her won't give him his single/lonely life back because (even though the relationship isn't working) he'd still miss the company or have some kind of regret for letting her go (that's why they are trapped in a "stupid ass game" because he has feelings for her, but sometimes even caring about someone is not enough to make things work).. california is maybe his image of good-single times