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.
Nobody ever had a dream 'round here
But I don't really mind that it's starting to get to me
Nobody ever pulls the seams 'round here
But I don't really mind that it's starting to get to me
I've got this energy beneath my feet
Like something underground's gonna come up and carry me
I've got this sentimental heart that beats
But I don't really mind that it's starting to get to me
Now, why do you waste my time?
Is the answer to the question on your mind
And I'm sick of all my judges
So scared of what they'll find
But I know that I can make it
As long as somebody takes me home
Every now and then
Oh, have you ever seen the lights?
Have you ever seen the lights?
I took the shuttle on a shock wave ride
Where people on the pen pulled a trigger for accolades
I took a bullet, and I looked inside
And it's running through my veins
An American masquerade
I still remember grandma Ditzy's wake
I've never really known anybody to die before
Red, white and blue upon a birthday cake
And my brother - he was born on the fourth of the July, and that's all
So why do you waste my time?
Is the answer to the question on your mind
And I'm sick of all my judges
So scared of letting me shine
But I know that I can make it
As long as somebody takes me home
Woo!
(Every now and then)
(Every now and then)
You know I see London; I see Sam's Town
Pulls my hand, and let's my hair down
Rolls that world right off my shoulder
I see London; I see Sam's Town now
But I don't really mind that it's starting to get to me
Nobody ever pulls the seams 'round here
But I don't really mind that it's starting to get to me
I've got this energy beneath my feet
Like something underground's gonna come up and carry me
I've got this sentimental heart that beats
But I don't really mind that it's starting to get to me
Now, why do you waste my time?
Is the answer to the question on your mind
And I'm sick of all my judges
So scared of what they'll find
But I know that I can make it
As long as somebody takes me home
Every now and then
Oh, have you ever seen the lights?
Have you ever seen the lights?
I took the shuttle on a shock wave ride
Where people on the pen pulled a trigger for accolades
I took a bullet, and I looked inside
And it's running through my veins
An American masquerade
I still remember grandma Ditzy's wake
I've never really known anybody to die before
Red, white and blue upon a birthday cake
And my brother - he was born on the fourth of the July, and that's all
So why do you waste my time?
Is the answer to the question on your mind
And I'm sick of all my judges
So scared of letting me shine
But I know that I can make it
As long as somebody takes me home
Woo!
(Every now and then)
(Every now and then)
You know I see London; I see Sam's Town
Pulls my hand, and let's my hair down
Rolls that world right off my shoulder
I see London; I see Sam's Town now
Lyrics submitted by foldsbaldwin, edited by phoebe9261, YSoSidious
Sam's Town Lyrics as written by Dave Brent Keuning Brandon Flowers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
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Sam's Town is an actual casino and it is away from the Strip and in a more residential neighborhood of Vegas.
The casino is mostly frequented by Vegas locals, and Brandon Flowers said that this was his favorite casino because it was all Vegas families every Friday night, kids at the giant multiplex theater or bowling alley, mom and dad up hitting the tables and the slots.
I'm not from Vegas, but I loved this casino just for this real Americana atmosphere you don't get on the Strip.