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.
Now Little Johnny Jewel,
Oh, he's so cool,
He has no decision,
He's just trying to tell a vision.
Some thought that this was sad,
And others thought it mad,
They just scratching the surface,
JJ can do the floor kiss.
Was he on display?
No, no, not today.
All that guy ever said,
He said, "I want my little wing-head."
He half-asleep at night
Over his head, sensation of flight.
And he wake up dreaming,
Dreaming...
And he run down to the airport,
The rush, the roar,
And he crouched down behind a fence,
With a chest full of lights,
Then,
He loses his senses...
Oh Little Johnny Jewel,
He's so cool,
But if you see him looking lost
You ain't gotta come on so boss!
And you know what he's paid,
You know that he's paid the price,
All you gotta do for that guy
Is wink your eye.
Oh, he's so cool,
He has no decision,
He's just trying to tell a vision.
Some thought that this was sad,
And others thought it mad,
They just scratching the surface,
JJ can do the floor kiss.
Was he on display?
No, no, not today.
All that guy ever said,
He said, "I want my little wing-head."
He half-asleep at night
Over his head, sensation of flight.
And he wake up dreaming,
Dreaming...
And he run down to the airport,
The rush, the roar,
And he crouched down behind a fence,
With a chest full of lights,
Then,
He loses his senses...
Oh Little Johnny Jewel,
He's so cool,
But if you see him looking lost
You ain't gotta come on so boss!
And you know what he's paid,
You know that he's paid the price,
All you gotta do for that guy
Is wink your eye.
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Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
when rules change
Life in Your Way
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
One of my favourites... I read it as a story, or hypothetical anecdote, relating to a guy who has removed himself from the usual flow of life in search of his own ideal (his 'vision'), and his dedication to representing this in some way. The final verse is like a secret understanding of this guy, like Tom knows that there is something more profound or worthwhile in what Johnny is doing/thinking. IMFO.
I like that interpretation. The epiphany at the airport, to me is echoed in the guitar solo. It builds before we even begin the story; like water trickling into as glass. The sound builds like the roar of the engines and then when it finally burst in to the guitar solo it is like a dam breaking . The emotion, ideas, imagination released; no boundaries , seemingly no sense of direction. It squeals and screams, desperate at finally getting out ;it is truly beautiful as it soars above. And just like Verlaine at the end of the song we understand to. I had a similar experience with this songs as rbenyakov. I had it on my mp3 and I was waiting outside and the wind was crazy that day it made the grass and trees seem to dance to the song. It worked because the music comes from an organic place. Easily my favourite song.
How Cool is this song!? With this song, I cannot describe Televsion - Psychedelic Rock, Jazz Punk, Avant-Garde Anti Pop - difficult classification defines a great band. Love that Riff - doo, doo, doo.....doo, doo, doo!
I love the guitar solo. The first time I really listened to it I had it on an mp3 player and I wasn't really paying attention. Then the solo came on and I burst into tears, it reminded me of whale songs. There is just something really sad about that series of notes.
so cool
Also best riff ever and best improvisation ever. The bit with the reggae twangs, you know - after the riff quiets a little at around 4 mins in, "doo doo doo DUH-DUH x DUH-DUH x DUH-DUH doo doo doo", that's awesome.
I heard somewhere that this song was about Iggy Pop (real name James Jewel Osterberg). No idea if that's true, but the apparent drug references would make sense in that context... ;-)
I always thought this was about a Vietnam vet who suffered from PTSD and eventually succumbed to madness.
The best version of this is on "Live At The Old Waldof', IMHO.
May have been inspired by Tom’s twin brother John, who was a drug addict
“Wing-head” was Patti Smith’s nickname when she was in school.