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.
I don't want to work all night and day
On writing songs that make the young girls cry
Or playing little solos on the keyboard
So the kids will ask me how and why
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
And maybe for a little
Get to where I find it really hard to hate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I don't want to stare at stacks of paper all the while
While the world goes by
Tradin' out the weather for a clever lyric
Written by an IKEA light
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
And maybe for a little
Get to where I find it really hard to hate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to get up off the shelf
I don't want to be a part of all the quality that falls apart these days
I'd rather make an honest sound
And watch it fly around
And then be on my way
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
And maybe for a little
Get to where I find it really hard to hate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
On writing songs that make the young girls cry
Or playing little solos on the keyboard
So the kids will ask me how and why
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
And maybe for a little
Get to where I find it really hard to hate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I don't want to stare at stacks of paper all the while
While the world goes by
Tradin' out the weather for a clever lyric
Written by an IKEA light
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
And maybe for a little
Get to where I find it really hard to hate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to get up off the shelf
I don't want to be a part of all the quality that falls apart these days
I'd rather make an honest sound
And watch it fly around
And then be on my way
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
And maybe for a little
Get to where I find it really hard to hate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
Lyrics submitted by skttrbrain
Elevate Myself Lyrics as written by Jason Lytle
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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well I agree with all that stuffabout moving to something else, but I think he's also talking about simple but great music,to make music that satisfies himself, and elevates him, as you may agree music is a wonderful drug, it can make you fly high, but he also says his music is just for him and whoever wants to enjoy it, he doesn't make music to sell, "to make the young girls cry" like backstreet boys or something, he just makes music for the pleasure music brings and to "get to where I find it really hard to hate myself", where you feel so good listening to music that you forget everything else, and you forget your problems. Great band, too bad they had to split, is hard to make relly good music this days and succed, companies won't allow you unless you sell yourself.