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.
Wanting you the way I do
I only wanna be with you
And I would go
To the ends of the earth
'Cause, darling
To me that's what you're worth
Where you lead, I will follow
Anywhere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow where you lead
If you're out on the road
Feeling lonely, and so cold
All you have to do is call my name
And I'll be there on the next train
Where you lead, I will follow
Anywhere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow where you lead
I always wanted a real home with flowers on the window sill
But if you wanna live in New York City, honey, you know I will
(Yes I will, yes I will)
I never thought I could get satisfaction from just one man
But if anyone can keep me happy, you're the one who can
Where you lead, I will follow
Anywhere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow, oh
Where you lead, I will follow
Any-anywhere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow where you lead
Oh, baby, ooh
I'm gonna follow where you lead
(I'm gonna follow where you lead)
Oh, baby, yeah, yeah
I'm gonna follow where you lead
(I'm gonna follow where you lead)
Ooh, sugar, uh-huh
I'm gonna follow where you lead
(I'm gonna follow where you lead)
Oh, baby, yeah
I'm gonna follow where you lead
(I'm gonna follow where you lead)
I only wanna be with you
And I would go
To the ends of the earth
'Cause, darling
To me that's what you're worth
Where you lead, I will follow
Anywhere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow where you lead
If you're out on the road
Feeling lonely, and so cold
All you have to do is call my name
And I'll be there on the next train
Where you lead, I will follow
Anywhere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow where you lead
I always wanted a real home with flowers on the window sill
But if you wanna live in New York City, honey, you know I will
(Yes I will, yes I will)
I never thought I could get satisfaction from just one man
But if anyone can keep me happy, you're the one who can
Where you lead, I will follow
Anywhere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow, oh
Where you lead, I will follow
Any-anywhere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow where you lead
Oh, baby, ooh
I'm gonna follow where you lead
(I'm gonna follow where you lead)
Oh, baby, yeah, yeah
I'm gonna follow where you lead
(I'm gonna follow where you lead)
Ooh, sugar, uh-huh
I'm gonna follow where you lead
(I'm gonna follow where you lead)
Oh, baby, yeah
I'm gonna follow where you lead
(I'm gonna follow where you lead)
Lyrics submitted by Mickeyjr3000
Where You Lead Lyrics as written by Toni Stern Carole King
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
I decided to post this separately because this version is different from the original one that Carole King wrote and sung. An interesting fact: Originally, when Amy Sherman (creator of GG) asked Carole King to re-record the song for the show, Carole King refused...but when Amy Sherman told her what the show was all about (the close relationship between a teenage daughter and not-so-young mom), Carole King liked the idea and decided to re-record the song, partly because Carole has a close relationship with her daughter, Louise Goffin. So apperently, she changed the lyrics to the song, and recorded it with her daughter, specially for the show.
Some things that are different: The original song was about a woman following her guy wherever he went. Now, the meaning of the song is about the tight (mother-daughter-friends) relationship two people can have, how they have the 'It's us against the world" attitude, which is really amazing. Changed lyrics: "Loving you the way I do, I only wanna be with you" --> "Loving you the way I do, I know we're gonna make it through"
Also the last verse "You never know how it's all gonna turn out, But that's okay. Just as long as we're together, We can find a way" was never in the original song. I love the end of the song, where Carole and Lori start 'echoing' eachother singing "I will follow"-"Where you lead"..."I will follow"-Where you lead." I think this adds to the real mother-daughter closeness in the song's meaning.
I like it. I like the positive message this song brings and, of course, how it adds to the show's message and feel.
P.S. I found some of this information on TWOP forums about Gilmore Girls...so it's not all my knowledge.
@Mickeyjr3000 Hey there! I know it’s electronically 1000 years after your post, but I recently had this song in my head and was surprised to hear the different lyrics. I grew up in the USA and left 40 years ago. So Carole King was one of my singing role models. This information is really interesting to me, because I have a great relationship with my daughter, too. ????<br /> Regards Lisa
@Mickeyjr3000 Hey there! I know it’s electronically 1000 years after your post, but I recently had this song in my head and was surprised to hear the different lyrics. I grew up in the USA and left 40 years ago. So Carole King was one of my singing role models. This information is really interesting to me, because I have a great relationship with my daughter, too. ????<br /> Regards Lisa