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.
Don't be so scared
We will not lead you on like you've been doing for weeks
So you're selfish, and I'm sorry
When I'm gone you'll be going nowhere fast
Nowhere fast, nowhere fast
Would you believe me if I said I didn't need you
'Cause I wouldn't believe you if you said the same to me
And near death, last breath, and barely hanging on
Would you believe me if I said I didn't need you?
Don't be so scared to take a second for reflection,
To take a leave of absence, see what you're made of
So I'm selfish, and you're sorry
When I'm gone you'll be going nowhere fast
So who's selfish, and who's sorry?
Someone, somewhere
Said some things that may have sparked some sympathy
But don't believe
Don't believe a word you've heard about me
Don't be so scared It's harder for me
Don't be so scared
Don't be so scared, It's harder for me
Don't be so scared, It's harder for me
Don't be so scared, It's harder for me
Don't be so scared
Someone, somewhere
Said some things that may have sparked some sympathy
But don't believe
Don't believe a word you've heard about me
Would you believe me if I said I didn't need you?
'Cause I wouldn't believe you
Wouldn't believe you now
Would you believe me if I said I didn't need you?
'Cause I wouldn't believe you
Wouldn't believe you now
We will not lead you on like you've been doing for weeks
So you're selfish, and I'm sorry
When I'm gone you'll be going nowhere fast
Nowhere fast, nowhere fast
Would you believe me if I said I didn't need you
'Cause I wouldn't believe you if you said the same to me
And near death, last breath, and barely hanging on
Would you believe me if I said I didn't need you?
Don't be so scared to take a second for reflection,
To take a leave of absence, see what you're made of
So I'm selfish, and you're sorry
When I'm gone you'll be going nowhere fast
So who's selfish, and who's sorry?
Someone, somewhere
Said some things that may have sparked some sympathy
But don't believe
Don't believe a word you've heard about me
Don't be so scared It's harder for me
Don't be so scared
Don't be so scared, It's harder for me
Don't be so scared, It's harder for me
Don't be so scared, It's harder for me
Don't be so scared
Someone, somewhere
Said some things that may have sparked some sympathy
But don't believe
Don't believe a word you've heard about me
Would you believe me if I said I didn't need you?
'Cause I wouldn't believe you
Wouldn't believe you now
Would you believe me if I said I didn't need you?
'Cause I wouldn't believe you
Wouldn't believe you now
Lyrics submitted by ADimeADexter
Skeptics And True Believers Lyrics as written by William Beckett Michael Carden
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think if you look closer this is a very clever song. The title refers to Rene Descartes' Meditations, specifically Meditation number One. In the Meditations, Descartes attempts to use foundationalism, an architecture analogy to indicate that all knowlege we have, and in the case of this song, all relationships are based on a hierarchy of experience from a more basic source. We must ensure that the foundation of what we hold dear is strong before attempting to build knowledge and relationships off it. Descartes used methods of doubt to construct the foundation. He said we should doubt EVERYTHING and that which stands the test of doubt is certain and everything else must be cast aside. Those that remain dubious of all knowledge and relationships are called skeptics. Those that have faith in things, such as self and knowledge become the true believers. This whole song is a series of doubts about the relationship followed by a reassuring voice "Don't be so scarred to take a second for reflection, see what you're made of" The point of the song is that he's trying to find out if the relationship is worthy of being a foundation of life or not through philosophical skepticism. Pretty awesome song.