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.
"It’s scary to watch someone you love go into the centre of himself and confront his fears...
Fear of failure, fear of death, fear of going insane
You have to fail a little, die a little, go insane a little to come out the other side."
Break my heart slowly
Dora Maar said to me
She came to me in a dream
Reaching out full up with fear
She said:
"Hold on, hold on, hold on to your gun"
It was cold, the night was black
You could feel her freezing hands
Exiting a life of chance
Painted dead a million times
She said:
"Hold on, hold on, hold on to your gun"
She said:
"If your life has changed
If it makes no sense
You can carry on if you still belong
If your life has changed
If it makes no sense
You can carry on
If you still belong
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
Break my heart slowly
Break my heart slowly
So come one now etc
Break my heart slowly
Fear of failure, fear of death, fear of going insane
You have to fail a little, die a little, go insane a little to come out the other side."
Break my heart slowly
Dora Maar said to me
She came to me in a dream
Reaching out full up with fear
She said:
"Hold on, hold on, hold on to your gun"
It was cold, the night was black
You could feel her freezing hands
Exiting a life of chance
Painted dead a million times
She said:
"Hold on, hold on, hold on to your gun"
She said:
"If your life has changed
If it makes no sense
You can carry on if you still belong
If your life has changed
If it makes no sense
You can carry on
If you still belong
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
Break my heart slowly
Break my heart slowly
So come one now etc
Break my heart slowly
Lyrics submitted by Songmeaningsuser
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I think this is a brilliant song and an excellent choice of single. I think the quote at the beginning says it all. I believe it's Dora Maar talking about Pablo Picasso
In Nicky's own words on 6Music refering to the sample at the beginning (you can download the interview from nickywire.co.uk) "It's Francis Ford Capola's wife, on the documentary of making Apocalypse Now"
I've got to agree with Kurtz - a fuller quote is "“Francis is making a film which is a metaphor for a journey into self He has made that journey and is still making it. It’s scary to watch someone you love go into the centre of himself and confront his fears: fear of failure, fear of death, fear of going insane. You have to fail a little; die a little; go insane a little.”
I feel realy sad every time I listen to nickies albums.
I think that they just make me think of my secret crush.
I wish i knew how to tell him.
XOXO
OK! i know what 2 say!!!! yepeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
on tuesday (when i go back 2 school), im gonna go right up 2 ........ and say....
.......weve been m8s for ages now and i think i am starting to like you!.............
understatement of the sentury!!!!!!
(sorry bout the spellingz!!!)
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO