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.
Pretty girls
You're too good for this
How you break my heart
In this cold waiting room
Oh my pretty girls
You're too good for this
Don't let them tell you you're nothing
Don't let them break your hearts too
The TV is blaring and angry
As if you don't know why you're here
Those who walk without sin are so hungry
Don't let the wolves in pretty girls
Your hearts are so tried and so innocent
Wind your flimsy blue gowns tight around you
Around curves so comely and sinister
They blame it on you pretty girls
Oh pretty girls
You're too good for this
How you break my heart
In this cold waiting room
Oh my pretty girls
You're too good for this
Don't let them tell you you're nothing
Don't let them break your hearts too
My girls you're just like the heavens
Not a soul to take your hand in theirs
Your tears and wild constellations
Broad limbs and hard folding chairs
But there's millions to count you and keep you
And lovers that don't understand
Don't let them tell you you're nothing
'Cause you'll change the world pretty girls
Come chain yourself 'round my ankle
You'll see the world like a bird
Diving down low
Flying up high
Through all of these saccharine gutters
We'll ride and I
Won't say that I told you so
Won't say that I told you so
Won't say that I told you so
Won't say that I told you so
You're too good for this
How you break my heart
In this cold waiting room
Oh my pretty girls
You're too good for this
Don't let them tell you you're nothing
Don't let them break your hearts too
The TV is blaring and angry
As if you don't know why you're here
Those who walk without sin are so hungry
Don't let the wolves in pretty girls
Your hearts are so tried and so innocent
Wind your flimsy blue gowns tight around you
Around curves so comely and sinister
They blame it on you pretty girls
Oh pretty girls
You're too good for this
How you break my heart
In this cold waiting room
Oh my pretty girls
You're too good for this
Don't let them tell you you're nothing
Don't let them break your hearts too
My girls you're just like the heavens
Not a soul to take your hand in theirs
Your tears and wild constellations
Broad limbs and hard folding chairs
But there's millions to count you and keep you
And lovers that don't understand
Don't let them tell you you're nothing
'Cause you'll change the world pretty girls
Come chain yourself 'round my ankle
You'll see the world like a bird
Diving down low
Flying up high
Through all of these saccharine gutters
We'll ride and I
Won't say that I told you so
Won't say that I told you so
Won't say that I told you so
Won't say that I told you so
Lyrics submitted by _scandalous
Pretty Girls Lyrics as written by Tom Ray Neko Case
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think is about calendar girls, pin-ups, and how their humanity is lost in the perception of the big public.
But there's millions to count you and keep you
I recently realized this line could refer to collecting pin-ups photos or playboy centerfolds.
and also:
Don't let them tell you you're nothing 'Cause you'll change the world pretty girls
could be a reference to those girls seen only as sexual objects but that end up being a symbol of a whole decade or generation.