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.
I'm coming over but I won't be long
I'm coming over
I'm making a new song
I pick a car and it's a fifteen minutes drive
Rock Classics on the radio
To clear my mind
Sometimes in the weekends
We meet up at our favorite café
I'll order a chai tea
And you will have the usual au lait
And when the place gets crowded
Then they freak out
And they play the music louder
Here comes another day in isolation
Hold out your hand, feel my brain burns
You suck and lick but you still don't know why
I could fuck your brains out
But I'm not interested in that life
I'm coming over
I'm making a new song
I pick a car and it's a fifteen minutes drive
Rock Classics on the radio
To clear my mind
Sometimes in the weekends
We meet up at our favorite café
I'll order a chai tea
And you will have the usual au lait
And when the place gets crowded
Then they freak out
And they play the music louder
Here comes another day in isolation
Hold out your hand, feel my brain burns
You suck and lick but you still don't know why
I could fuck your brains out
But I'm not interested in that life
Lyrics submitted by Elin, edited by seriousputty
Rock Classics Lyrics as written by Olof Bjorn Dreijer Karin Elizabeth Dreijer Andersson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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Ok just one correction...I believe the drive she takes is 50 minutes, not 15. Hard to clear your mind to rock classics on a 15 minutes drive.
Now for the interp... I think the deep voice Karin uses and her passion for distorting gender lines suggests the song is sung from a male perspective. Like chrissbliss alluded to, it sort of sounds like a half retarded, pretentious rock star's life style...hence the name "Rock Classics." It's a "classic" look at a typical rock star mentality. Not even interested in fucking this girl's brains out, just wants his almighty golden cock sucked and licked by this girl who doesn't even know why she is doing it other than the fact this dude is a rock n roll hero.
Regardess, what a brilliant electronic dip into old school american blues spliced with coffee shop beatnik! Karin's creativity, talent, and dynamic approach to music is unrivaled in today's music scene. No artist I've ever heard has resonated with me on so many levels: intellectually, morally, musically, sexually...this woman is on fire!!
I wish The Knife would get back to their more coherent and artfully crafted masteries as seen on deep cuts and the self-titled album. This new age bouncy-ass meth music shit must cease! You can't tell me, after listening to the Fever Ray album, that Karin is out of material. Hey lady! I realize you've got two kids and you're tired, but the world is tired of garbage ass mtv posers making it want to vomit into its own eardrums. Please blow my fuckin mind like I know you can;)