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.
Come see a living, breathing spectacle
Only seen right here
It's your last chance in this lifetime
The line forms to the rear
You won't believe your eyes
Your eyes will not believe you're ears
Get your money out, get ready
Step right up, yeah you, come here
You ain't seen nothing like him
the last one of the breed
You better hold on to your honey
Honeys, don't forget to breathe
Enter at your own risk, mister
It might change the way you think
There's no dancers, there's no diamonds
No this boy he don't lip-synch
[Chorus:]
Here's the last man standing
Step right up, he's the real thing
The last chance of a lifetime
Come and see, hear, feel, the real thing
See those real live calloused fingers
Wrapped around those guitar strings
Kiss the lips where hurt has lingered
It breaks the hart to hear him sing
The songs were more than music
They were pictures from the soul
Se keep your pseudo-punk, hip-hop, pop-rock junk
And your digital downloads
[Chorus]
Take your seats now, folks. It's showtime
Hey, Patrick - hit the lights
There's something in the air
There's magic in the night
Now here's the band, they really play
I'll count the first one in
I don't know where it's gone
Well all know where it's been
[Chorus]
The last man standing
Step right up, he's the real thing
The last chance of a lifetime
Come see, hear, feel, the real thing.
Only seen right here
It's your last chance in this lifetime
The line forms to the rear
You won't believe your eyes
Your eyes will not believe you're ears
Get your money out, get ready
Step right up, yeah you, come here
You ain't seen nothing like him
the last one of the breed
You better hold on to your honey
Honeys, don't forget to breathe
Enter at your own risk, mister
It might change the way you think
There's no dancers, there's no diamonds
No this boy he don't lip-synch
[Chorus:]
Here's the last man standing
Step right up, he's the real thing
The last chance of a lifetime
Come and see, hear, feel, the real thing
See those real live calloused fingers
Wrapped around those guitar strings
Kiss the lips where hurt has lingered
It breaks the hart to hear him sing
The songs were more than music
They were pictures from the soul
Se keep your pseudo-punk, hip-hop, pop-rock junk
And your digital downloads
[Chorus]
Take your seats now, folks. It's showtime
Hey, Patrick - hit the lights
There's something in the air
There's magic in the night
Now here's the band, they really play
I'll count the first one in
I don't know where it's gone
Well all know where it's been
[Chorus]
The last man standing
Step right up, he's the real thing
The last chance of a lifetime
Come see, hear, feel, the real thing.
Lyrics submitted by K-nuxXx, edited by Dropkick11
Last Man Standing Lyrics as written by Jon Bon Jovi Billy Falcon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think about all the living legends at the moment who are still going strong: bob dylan, paul mccartney, eric clapton to name a few. It reminds us who are the inspiring artists that we have left in this world. Jon's right that when johnny cash died, who do we have left that will inspire a new generation of musician? Strong message and a fantastic tempo. Pure class!