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.
Back me down from backing up
Hold your breath now it's stacking up
Etched with marks, of my disdain
And you're the problem and you can't feel
Try this on, straight jacket feeling
so maybe I won't be alone
Take back now, my life you're stealing
Yesterday was hell
But today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all I ever thought you'd be
That face is tearing holes in me again
Trust you is just one defense
off a list of others, you don't make sense
Beg me time and time again
to take you back now, but you can't win
Take back now, my life you're stealing
Yesterday was hell
But today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all I ever thought you'd be
That face is tearing holes in me again,
but today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all the things you put me through
I'm holding on by letting go of you
And when that memory slips away
There will be a better view from here
And only lonesome you remains
and just the thought of you I fear
it falls away
Yesterday was hell
Today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all I ever thought you'd be
That face is tearing holes in me again,
but today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all the things you put me through
I'm holding on by letting go of you
Hold your breath now it's stacking up
Etched with marks, of my disdain
And you're the problem and you can't feel
Try this on, straight jacket feeling
so maybe I won't be alone
Take back now, my life you're stealing
Yesterday was hell
But today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all I ever thought you'd be
That face is tearing holes in me again
Trust you is just one defense
off a list of others, you don't make sense
Beg me time and time again
to take you back now, but you can't win
Take back now, my life you're stealing
Yesterday was hell
But today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all I ever thought you'd be
That face is tearing holes in me again,
but today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all the things you put me through
I'm holding on by letting go of you
And when that memory slips away
There will be a better view from here
And only lonesome you remains
and just the thought of you I fear
it falls away
Yesterday was hell
Today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all I ever thought you'd be
That face is tearing holes in me again,
but today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all the things you put me through
I'm holding on by letting go of you
Lyrics submitted by BrandNew1208, edited by LyricalSymphony
Straitjacket Feeling Lyrics as written by Tyson Ritter Nick Wheeler
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Hey, why does the grammer have to be correct? I listened to this song very closely on headphones, and it is DEFINITELY "yesterday WAS over..." The lyrics are correct. He's saying yesterday WAS....but this is today and I'm moving on. I have to admit I absolutely love this song. Best all-american rejects song ever. The violin (i guess it's violin) makes it so sad/inspirational/hopeful at the same time, which perfectly captures the mood, and which is really how you feel when you're trying to survive a rough breakup. The words are so perfect, and I think a lot of ppl can relate to it when they are going through bad breakups, like you want to go back, just thinking of them hurts (that face is tearing holes in me again) but you have to let go because once you move on (the memory slips away) things are much better (there'll be a better view from here).
I especially like the line "I'm holding on by letting go of you." And it's true.