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.
He's towing the line
he's gendered defined
it's the magic of America
we're always so American
the truth of it is
that he just wants to kiss
that boy that she's talking to
the one that seems to own the room
the way that he dances
the touch of his hands
and the unapologetic way his tiny clothes stick to his frame
with blood alcohol and the drugs in the stall
he feels like he's getting weak
he grabs his coat and starts to leave
with one look back he accepts the fact
it's the magic of America
we're always so American
She's towing the line
she's gendered defined
it's the magic of America
we're always so American
if she had her way
she would know what to say
to that girl that comes into her store
by herself but not alone
it's her confident charm
and the curve of her arms
that tightly bends her circuitry
into a twisted mess of interesting
the girl's outside
and she offers a ride
but she says I think I'll take my bike
it is such a lovely night
with one look back
she accepts the fact
it's the magic of America
we're always so American
By some off chance
they both crossed paths
and found a certain ratio
that pleased them both and made them whole
he likes wearing her clothes
she likes watching him dress
and through all this back and forth
grew a certain innocence
he's not a boy
and she's not a girl
just two individuals
who made their place inside this world
they're destroying the line
t's gender refined
it's the battle for America
Both of them American
he's gendered defined
it's the magic of America
we're always so American
the truth of it is
that he just wants to kiss
that boy that she's talking to
the one that seems to own the room
the way that he dances
the touch of his hands
and the unapologetic way his tiny clothes stick to his frame
with blood alcohol and the drugs in the stall
he feels like he's getting weak
he grabs his coat and starts to leave
with one look back he accepts the fact
it's the magic of America
we're always so American
She's towing the line
she's gendered defined
it's the magic of America
we're always so American
if she had her way
she would know what to say
to that girl that comes into her store
by herself but not alone
it's her confident charm
and the curve of her arms
that tightly bends her circuitry
into a twisted mess of interesting
the girl's outside
and she offers a ride
but she says I think I'll take my bike
it is such a lovely night
with one look back
she accepts the fact
it's the magic of America
we're always so American
By some off chance
they both crossed paths
and found a certain ratio
that pleased them both and made them whole
he likes wearing her clothes
she likes watching him dress
and through all this back and forth
grew a certain innocence
he's not a boy
and she's not a girl
just two individuals
who made their place inside this world
they're destroying the line
t's gender refined
it's the battle for America
Both of them American
Lyrics submitted by Rachondaloose, edited by v2.7
Match Made In Texas Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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More Featured Meanings
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
Love in a Vacuum
'Til Tuesday
'Til Tuesday
Well, in my opinion this song is about being a young & maybe a little naive &/or introverted girl and finding yourself loving a man who is at first very charming, carefree & outgoing, and seems at first to be without limits, as in
"There was a time
you opened up every doorway
you didn't mind if everything
wasn't your way"
then that man starts to gradually become more introverted & shows their more possessive/obsessive side to you as the relationship progresses, even while they keep up the appearance of being carefree & outgoing to everyone else,
"Don't pull away
that goes against what you told me
I look in your eyes
I realize what you've sold me
is love in a vacuum"
so you confront them about the way they're acting and of course they deny it,
"I think you've changed
but you insist that
that's not true"
quite possibly they are an addict of some sort, my guess would be cocaine, &/or showing very obsessive behavior towards you (early on in the video for this song we see the man hanging a picture up, it is a very large portrait of Aimee & it is prominently displayed in his/their apartment for the duration of the song), thus their "love in a vacuum",
"You look so strange, so distant
that you're hardly you
Now I can see
how you have been acting different
You say it's me
but I know
that it isn't
it's love in a vacuum"
but still you are in love with them and don't want to leave them and you know that they are truly in love with you and they don't want you to leave them either, maybe they are convinced you can save them from themself, maybe they are so broken that the possibility of an overdose &/or suicide attempt is very real and you want to get through to them that their behavior not only dangerous but it is also just pissing you off and if they don't wise up they run the risk of loosing you, as in the lines
"You will be lonely
if you leave me alone", so you want to save them but can't get through to them due to the addiction &/or emotional problems they have,
"Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
love in a vacuum
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
You will be lonely
if you leave me alone
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough"
you want them to understand that the love they are giving you is not enough when it is filtered through the vacuum of their drug addiction &/or emotional impairment,
"You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough
and just wait
you will be lonely
Love in a vacuum
Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
Love in a vacuum".
'Love In A Vacuum' for me is a hauntingly truthful acute argument on the loneliness of obsession and almost inevitable loss of love that follows people who are broken in some way or another; the obsessives, the coke heads, the drunks, addicts or the just-plain-old emotionally broken; a razor sharp, lyrically driven, deceptively poppy, yet ultimately-depressing-in-the-best-way song.
Quintessential Aimee Mann.
Battle Royale
Word Alive, The
Word Alive, The
This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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.
pps. i didnt mean to comment twice (:-( ) but i did want to add that though the HSH site says "towing" the line (and it kinda makes sense) but the first time i thought it said doing the line (as in drugs) and then i thought its said "toeing" same word. but toeing as in walking rite on the line which i like better
@Rachondaloose "Towing the line" is an idiom meaning doing what is expected of you, even if you disagree, or your heart isn't into it. He is referencing he's pretending to be straight and interested in the girls at the bar, but "the truth of it is that he just wants to kiss that boy."
@Rachondaloose "Towing the line" is an idiom meaning doing what is expected of you, even if you disagree, or your heart isn't into it. He is referencing he's pretending to be straight and interested in the girls at the bar, but "the truth of it is that he just wants to kiss that boy."