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.
Days long gone
And lost hot nights
No crowded streets to walk tonight
Still the stars shine so bright
Don't need a coat I'll be alright
Then you walked into my life
Halo bright with dark brown eyes
Just standing in her light
Remembered love again that night
Bitter apple take a bite
(It's kind of wonderful)
Fallen star you're mine tonight
(Strange but beautiful)
Bitter apple take my life
(It's kind of wonderful)
If I close my eyes you're mine tonight
Tonight
We laughed so hard it caused some pain
Two strangers standing in the rain
We smoked our cigarettes
(It's kind of wonderful)
Exchanging our regrets
(Strange but beautiful)
And lost hot nights
No crowded streets to walk tonight
Still the stars shine so bright
Don't need a coat I'll be alright
Then you walked into my life
Halo bright with dark brown eyes
Just standing in her light
Remembered love again that night
Bitter apple take a bite
(It's kind of wonderful)
Fallen star you're mine tonight
(Strange but beautiful)
Bitter apple take my life
(It's kind of wonderful)
If I close my eyes you're mine tonight
Tonight
We laughed so hard it caused some pain
Two strangers standing in the rain
We smoked our cigarettes
(It's kind of wonderful)
Exchanging our regrets
(Strange but beautiful)
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This song is beautiful, and only Dave Gahan could have done it right. It conjures images of a metropolitan city at night, being all alone with the lights of nearby windows. It's somber, but at the same time, romantic. There's nothing quite like it.