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.
Are you ugly?
A liar like me?
A user, a lost soul?
Someone you don't know?
Money, it's no cure
A sickness so pure
Are you like me?
Are you ugly?
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
We are fake
We are afraid
You know it's far from over
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
Look closer
Are you like me?
Are you ugly?
Turn a blind eye
Why do I deny?
Medicate me
So I die happy
A strain of cancer
Chokes the answers
Are you like me?
A liar like me?
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
We are fake
We are afraid
You know it's far from over
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
Look closer
Are you like me?
Are you ugly?
I don't care
You don't care
I do know
You're angry
You don't care
I don't care
Who are you?
Just like me?
Am I you?
You are me
I do know
You're angry
You don't care
I don't care
Who are you?
Like me?
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
We are fake
We are afraid
You know it's far from over
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
Look closer
Are you like me?
Are you ugly?
A liar like me?
A user, a lost soul?
Someone you don't know?
Money, it's no cure
A sickness so pure
Are you like me?
Are you ugly?
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
We are fake
We are afraid
You know it's far from over
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
Look closer
Are you like me?
Are you ugly?
Turn a blind eye
Why do I deny?
Medicate me
So I die happy
A strain of cancer
Chokes the answers
Are you like me?
A liar like me?
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
We are fake
We are afraid
You know it's far from over
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
Look closer
Are you like me?
Are you ugly?
I don't care
You don't care
I do know
You're angry
You don't care
I don't care
Who are you?
Just like me?
Am I you?
You are me
I do know
You're angry
You don't care
I don't care
Who are you?
Like me?
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
We are fake
We are afraid
You know it's far from over
We are dirt
We are alone
You know we're far from ?sober?
Look closer
Are you like me?
Are you ugly?
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its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
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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?
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Techno Ted may be a person who caused Chris incredible emotional pain & trepidation as well as moments of peace & happiness but now is removed and awaiting his fate. Darling may be a different person who is also free of him and can live her life free of Ted's tyranny. "In between all the laughing, and daydreams ... lies: a desert of truth" Lies are like a desert or the omission of Truth: Where there were Lies then Truth was absent. The song, "Techno Ted", may be a cathartic celebration of the downfall of this person.
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
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.
i pretty much agree with everyone on this one... i think it could be more talking just about him tho, like hes describing how hes feeling to us, he feels depressed and all those thing he says.. a liar, dirt, fake, afraid, alone. he talks about being on medication, prob anti-depressants, and that he uses beer or w/e to get away from it "you know i'm far from sober".
Oh and i think it might be "A user of a lost soul" ... but im not sure.
I don't want to sound like an asshole, but I cannot believe that no one got the true meaning of this song! Mainly because the lyrics got messed up. "We are far from SOBER" is one of the most crucial lines!!
This song is talking about drug addiction. The singer is a drug addict, and he looks deep into his world of drugs and drinking and sees how ugly it is. To see how everyone is either in denial (turn a blind eye, why do I deny?), depressed (medicate me so I die happy), or the other things that this song said. It's pretty self-explanatory.
I've only really heard 2 songs from this band...and i am trying to find somewhere or someone to sample their cd but it just isn't working...lol...but they seem to be good lol
The song is about someone feeling ugly and depressed searching for a soul that feels the same way to share anguish with.
ok yea I found the cd, this is by far the best song on it. None of the others come close, and there are only 2 others that I rly like.
this song is more about what's ugly on the inside instead of on the outside. xXx KITTEE xXx
Yeah, I have to agree on that, Michael879, on this being the best song on their album...but I do love a lot of their songs. I think they rock!
great song got that breaking benjamin sound to it sample their stuff at the-exies.com/audiovideo.html
This band is for real and i telling all of you to get there cd they are so much better then all those gimmick bands out there.........and this song if it only caught on more could be this decades "smiles like teen spirit"... Such a good meaning and everyone should listen and take it for what it is and its a reality check. Any ways pick up Head for the Doors by the Exies
i met these guys in lock haven, PA when they opened for everclear. they signed their first CD and some stickers for me and i got to talk to them. i feel really happy for them that they've gone on to release a second album and have an even bigger hit than off their first one. these guys are going places for sure. seems to me like their not done climbing.