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.
We drove down Reseda, in the car as I drove you home, listened to love songs on the radio, I bought all those records, just so I’ll remember you, in the arms of someone new
Tell me that you felt it too, tell me that you felt it too
It’s nights like this I feel alive, when every sentence we make is a promise, holding arms up to this sky, like every breath that we’re taking is perfect
We woke up to feelings, painted grass, and ringing phones, and a brand new song on the radio, spinning worn out records, every word pertains to you, believing every line is true
It’s nights like this I feel alive, when ever word that I say comes out perfect, watch my fingers touch my smile, and ever breath that we take was well worth it
And I've lived out my whole life, to feel the way I did that night
These arms are so open tonight
It’s nights like this we are alive, when every breath that take is a promise, a million stars light up this sky, and every day of our lives are now worth it, we’re so worth it
Tell me that you felt it too, tell me that you felt it too
It’s nights like this I feel alive, when every sentence we make is a promise, holding arms up to this sky, like every breath that we’re taking is perfect
We woke up to feelings, painted grass, and ringing phones, and a brand new song on the radio, spinning worn out records, every word pertains to you, believing every line is true
It’s nights like this I feel alive, when ever word that I say comes out perfect, watch my fingers touch my smile, and ever breath that we take was well worth it
And I've lived out my whole life, to feel the way I did that night
These arms are so open tonight
It’s nights like this we are alive, when every breath that take is a promise, a million stars light up this sky, and every day of our lives are now worth it, we’re so worth it
Lyrics submitted by Blaupunked
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