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.
Six o'clock in the morning
Still sitting here pouring
The drinks till they're gone
We did everything together
Would have done it forever
How did we go wrong
I know that what goes up comes down
I didn't know you hit the ground
Why'd you have to give it up (fly high, Michelle)
Ooh you were just a little girl (fly high, Michelle)
I'll never look into your blue eyes (fly high, Michelle)
Fly high, Michelle
We did it just for a good time
A misunderstood time
We lived with a fear
I wish we still could have done things
And not overhung things
I wish you were here
And know I'll live a life of could have beens
Until new life begins
Why'd you have to give it up (fly high, Michelle)
Ooh you were just a little girl (fly high, Michelle)
I'll never look into your blue eyes (fly high, Michelle)
Fly high, Michelle
I'll say another prayer tonight
And I'll see you in the light
You have to give it up (fly high, Michelle)
Ooh you were just a little girl (fly high, Michelle)
I'll never look into your blue eyes (fly high, Michelle)
Fly high, Michelle (fly high, Michelle)
You have to give it up (fly high, Michelle)
Ooh you were just a little girl (fly high, Michelle)
I'll never look into your blue eyes (fly high, Michelle)
Fly high, Michelle (fly high, Michelle)
(Fly high Michelle)
Fly high, Michelle
Fly high, Michelle
Fly high, Michelle
Still sitting here pouring
The drinks till they're gone
We did everything together
Would have done it forever
How did we go wrong
I know that what goes up comes down
I didn't know you hit the ground
Why'd you have to give it up (fly high, Michelle)
Ooh you were just a little girl (fly high, Michelle)
I'll never look into your blue eyes (fly high, Michelle)
Fly high, Michelle
We did it just for a good time
A misunderstood time
We lived with a fear
I wish we still could have done things
And not overhung things
I wish you were here
And know I'll live a life of could have beens
Until new life begins
Why'd you have to give it up (fly high, Michelle)
Ooh you were just a little girl (fly high, Michelle)
I'll never look into your blue eyes (fly high, Michelle)
Fly high, Michelle
I'll say another prayer tonight
And I'll see you in the light
You have to give it up (fly high, Michelle)
Ooh you were just a little girl (fly high, Michelle)
I'll never look into your blue eyes (fly high, Michelle)
Fly high, Michelle (fly high, Michelle)
You have to give it up (fly high, Michelle)
Ooh you were just a little girl (fly high, Michelle)
I'll never look into your blue eyes (fly high, Michelle)
Fly high, Michelle (fly high, Michelle)
(Fly high Michelle)
Fly high, Michelle
Fly high, Michelle
Fly high, Michelle
Lyrics submitted by Tidalcloud, edited by 2005FILMS
Fly High Michelle Lyrics as written by Donald E. Vandevelde
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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I'm listening to this song right now. It's definitely about a girl's suicide written from the perspective of her ex-boyfriend who is drunk, reminiscing and grieving that he'll never see her again and that she shouldn't have given up her struggle with life.
He's wishing they could have done more together, and that it may have swayed her from suicide, midway through the song the lyrics change to "You had to give it up" meaning he's realized there's nothing that could have swayed from her suicide