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.
Did you ever have to do the thing you swore you’d never do
Something filthy and impatient
Something churlish, bold and shrewd
Sit down my boy and I’ll tell you exactly how I crawled right through
Gathering your confidence and hear the story of a man who came undone
First you weigh up your commitments, where your loyalties really lie
And if you bump into Jesus, you just look him in the eye
Tell him that you’re fine, silently return to sharpening your knife
And finally when the time comes, think of who you really need
And close your eyes so tightly think they’ll bleed
Never drop your guard or let them know, the thoughts inside your head
Just do what you've always done, they'll all wish you were dead
Or crush your heart, your spirit and your soul but keep your eyes ahead
Remember when the time comes, there'll be nowhere you can hide
It'll just be you, your heart and your bruised pride
Never break the line, never click your heels in time
If your heart's anything like mine that's not the way
Don’t get comfortable down there
Don’t pretend that it's always fair
And your fingers crossed
And it's not your loss
So if you really want to you can stay
You can stay
Never drop your guard and let them, know the thoughts inside your head
Just do what you’ve always done, they'll all wish you were dead
They’ll crush your heart, the spirit and your soul but keep your eyes ahead
Then someday when your bones break, and you dont know gifts from theft
Drink yourself away one to my left
Never break the line, never click your heels in time
If your heart's anything like mine that's not the way
Don’t get comfortable down there
Don’t pretend that it's always fair
And your fingers crossed
And it’s not your loss
So if you really want to you can stay
You can stay
Something filthy and impatient
Something churlish, bold and shrewd
Sit down my boy and I’ll tell you exactly how I crawled right through
Gathering your confidence and hear the story of a man who came undone
First you weigh up your commitments, where your loyalties really lie
And if you bump into Jesus, you just look him in the eye
Tell him that you’re fine, silently return to sharpening your knife
And finally when the time comes, think of who you really need
And close your eyes so tightly think they’ll bleed
Never drop your guard or let them know, the thoughts inside your head
Just do what you've always done, they'll all wish you were dead
Or crush your heart, your spirit and your soul but keep your eyes ahead
Remember when the time comes, there'll be nowhere you can hide
It'll just be you, your heart and your bruised pride
Never break the line, never click your heels in time
If your heart's anything like mine that's not the way
Don’t get comfortable down there
Don’t pretend that it's always fair
And your fingers crossed
And it's not your loss
So if you really want to you can stay
You can stay
Never drop your guard and let them, know the thoughts inside your head
Just do what you’ve always done, they'll all wish you were dead
They’ll crush your heart, the spirit and your soul but keep your eyes ahead
Then someday when your bones break, and you dont know gifts from theft
Drink yourself away one to my left
Never break the line, never click your heels in time
If your heart's anything like mine that's not the way
Don’t get comfortable down there
Don’t pretend that it's always fair
And your fingers crossed
And it’s not your loss
So if you really want to you can stay
You can stay
Lyrics submitted by dillygirl
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
"Don't get comfortable down there, don't pretend that it's always fair."
Gorgeous....and I love Anthony playing trumpet. A lot.