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.
On a perfect day, I know that I can count on you
When that's not possible
Tell me can you weather the storm?
'Cause I need somebody who will stand by me
Through the good times and bad times
She will always, always be right there
Sunny days, everybody loves them
Tell me baby can you stand the rain?
Storms will come
This we know for sure (This we know for sure)
Can you stand the rain?
Love unconditional, I'm not asking just of you
And girl to make it last
I'll do whatever needs to be done
But I need somebody who will stand by me
When it's tough she won't run
She will always, be right there for me
Sunny days, everybody loves them, tell me, baby
Can you stand the rain? (Can you stand it?)
Storms will come (I know, I know all the days won't be perfect)
This we know for sure (But tell me can you stand it)
Can you stand the rain? (Can you stand the rain?)
Can you stand the rain
(Can you stand the rain?)
(No pressure, no pressure from me, baby)
This we know for sure
Can you stand the rain ('Cause I want you, and I need you, and I love you, girl)
(Tell me, baby)
Can you stand the rain
(Will you be there for me?)
(Come on, baby, let's go get wet)
Can you stand the rain
(Can you stand the rain?)
Can you stand the rain
(Will you be there, girl?)
Can you stand the rain
(Storms will come for sure)
Can you stand the rain
(Can you stand the rain?)
Can you stand the rain
(This we know for sure)
Can you stand the rain
Can you stand the rain
(This we know for sure)
Can you stand the rain
Can you stand the rain
(This we know for sure)
Can you stand the rain
Can you stand the rain
Yeah, it's gonna but I know, I know I'll be right there
(Can you stand the rain)
When that's not possible
Tell me can you weather the storm?
'Cause I need somebody who will stand by me
Through the good times and bad times
She will always, always be right there
Sunny days, everybody loves them
Tell me baby can you stand the rain?
Storms will come
This we know for sure (This we know for sure)
Can you stand the rain?
Love unconditional, I'm not asking just of you
And girl to make it last
I'll do whatever needs to be done
But I need somebody who will stand by me
When it's tough she won't run
She will always, be right there for me
Sunny days, everybody loves them, tell me, baby
Can you stand the rain? (Can you stand it?)
Storms will come (I know, I know all the days won't be perfect)
This we know for sure (But tell me can you stand it)
Can you stand the rain? (Can you stand the rain?)
Can you stand the rain
(Can you stand the rain?)
(No pressure, no pressure from me, baby)
This we know for sure
Can you stand the rain ('Cause I want you, and I need you, and I love you, girl)
(Tell me, baby)
Can you stand the rain
(Will you be there for me?)
(Come on, baby, let's go get wet)
Can you stand the rain
(Can you stand the rain?)
Can you stand the rain
(Will you be there, girl?)
Can you stand the rain
(Storms will come for sure)
Can you stand the rain
(Can you stand the rain?)
Can you stand the rain
(This we know for sure)
Can you stand the rain
Can you stand the rain
(This we know for sure)
Can you stand the rain
Can you stand the rain
(This we know for sure)
Can you stand the rain
Can you stand the rain
Yeah, it's gonna but I know, I know I'll be right there
(Can you stand the rain)
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This is a song with someone wanting depth of character in a relationship partner.
People can be just fine in a relationship (and life) when everything is going fine ("Sunny days / Everybody loves them"). However, the true test of someone's character is how s/he reacts when things go bad around them ("Storms will come/ This we know for sure"): Loss of a job and not having much money to spend, and/or cancer striking are possibilities. Can you stand the rain?