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.
Start up the engine
Let's get out by heading away from here
And there's no next year for me here
Take hits and pass it
And let all the ashes fall to the floor
Once you have it all you still want more
Take my innocence away
Would they even notice either way?
My visions blurred
Can you tell that I'm a kid that was not into going to church?
The stars are burning out tonight
Do you think we'll stay this high?
And watch our favorite ones outside
Before this turns to black
Let's burn away our past
And set this cruise control for crash
Start up the fire
Let's burn this place straight down, down to the ground
If no one makes a sound then I say
Let's use my lighter
In life we're the writers to our own books
I've written mine on lies and catchy hooks
Let's dance around the mess we've made
Call someone up, let's score an eighth
To sit and relax
There's nothing we can do about the past
The stars are burning out tonight
Do you think we'll stay this high?
And watch our favorite ones outside
Before this turns to black
Let's burn away our past
And set this cruise control for crash
Someone sees smoke, call 911
Let's let this burn until it's done
Don't walk away
Let's let them see the mess that we became
Sirens flashing, here's the cops
Don't blame this on not having jobs
But dreams, and I see things
Cause I'm not afraid to think outside the box
And now I'm shaking
I hope I'm making perfect sense
So place your bets to see where I end up
And oh my god this place is so messed up
And rip me apart to see my insides
Compose myself, I'm not secure
And don't believe (don't believe) a single thing that you have heard
And throw my pride into this fire
My confidence is dead, I'm tired
Who's giving up? (I'm giving up)
I won't burn out, I'll just burn up
And I was raised on excellence
Always taught to look my best
I don't wanna be just anybody
I don't wanna be anything you forget
Villians die and heroes live forever
Tragic endings get remembered
I don't wanna be just anybody
I don't wanna be anything you forget...
And I won't be someone you forget
So don't forget
Just don't forget
And I won't be someone you forget
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
Let's get out by heading away from here
And there's no next year for me here
Take hits and pass it
And let all the ashes fall to the floor
Once you have it all you still want more
Take my innocence away
Would they even notice either way?
My visions blurred
Can you tell that I'm a kid that was not into going to church?
The stars are burning out tonight
Do you think we'll stay this high?
And watch our favorite ones outside
Before this turns to black
Let's burn away our past
And set this cruise control for crash
Start up the fire
Let's burn this place straight down, down to the ground
If no one makes a sound then I say
Let's use my lighter
In life we're the writers to our own books
I've written mine on lies and catchy hooks
Let's dance around the mess we've made
Call someone up, let's score an eighth
To sit and relax
There's nothing we can do about the past
The stars are burning out tonight
Do you think we'll stay this high?
And watch our favorite ones outside
Before this turns to black
Let's burn away our past
And set this cruise control for crash
Someone sees smoke, call 911
Let's let this burn until it's done
Don't walk away
Let's let them see the mess that we became
Sirens flashing, here's the cops
Don't blame this on not having jobs
But dreams, and I see things
Cause I'm not afraid to think outside the box
And now I'm shaking
I hope I'm making perfect sense
So place your bets to see where I end up
And oh my god this place is so messed up
And rip me apart to see my insides
Compose myself, I'm not secure
And don't believe (don't believe) a single thing that you have heard
And throw my pride into this fire
My confidence is dead, I'm tired
Who's giving up? (I'm giving up)
I won't burn out, I'll just burn up
And I was raised on excellence
Always taught to look my best
I don't wanna be just anybody
I don't wanna be anything you forget
Villians die and heroes live forever
Tragic endings get remembered
I don't wanna be just anybody
I don't wanna be anything you forget...
And I won't be someone you forget
So don't forget
Just don't forget
And I won't be someone you forget
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
They won't forget you in the end
Lyrics submitted by fedorov1fan
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Let's burn away our past And set this cruise control for crash
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