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 haven't thought of you
For years, you know?
Your memory seems to come and go
Our time meant so much to me
Now you can't be found
You were the first to want me
The first to love me
The first to need me
Who was the last to know you
The last to love you
The last to hold you?
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
Such a wonderful, wonderful life
I thought of you again today
Reminded me how with time I've changed
If you only knew what you gave to me
Now you can't be found
And you were the first I trusted
I learned what love is
When we were just kids
When did you get so lost
And how could you think you'd be better off?
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
Why'd you have to say goodbye?
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
Such a wonderful, wonderful life
Thank you for those special moments
You will always be here, in my mind
Did you know you changed my life?
I'm thankful for that time
I'm thankful for that time
I'm thankful for that time
It's a wonderful, wonderful life
Why'd you have to say goodbye?
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
I'm asking why, but I'll never know
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
Why'd you have to say goodbye?
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
Such a wonderful, wonderful life
It's a wonderful, wonderful life
Such a wonderful, wonderful life
For years, you know?
Your memory seems to come and go
Our time meant so much to me
Now you can't be found
You were the first to want me
The first to love me
The first to need me
Who was the last to know you
The last to love you
The last to hold you?
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
Such a wonderful, wonderful life
I thought of you again today
Reminded me how with time I've changed
If you only knew what you gave to me
Now you can't be found
And you were the first I trusted
I learned what love is
When we were just kids
When did you get so lost
And how could you think you'd be better off?
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
Why'd you have to say goodbye?
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
Such a wonderful, wonderful life
Thank you for those special moments
You will always be here, in my mind
Did you know you changed my life?
I'm thankful for that time
I'm thankful for that time
I'm thankful for that time
It's a wonderful, wonderful life
Why'd you have to say goodbye?
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
I'm asking why, but I'll never know
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
Why'd you have to say goodbye?
It's a wonderful, wonderful life (so wonderful)
Such a wonderful, wonderful life
It's a wonderful, wonderful life
Such a wonderful, wonderful life
Lyrics submitted by nodoubter90
Wonderful Life Lyrics as written by Linda Perry Gwen Stefani
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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OMG.
I LOVE THIS SONG. I hope Gwen releases a video for it.
To me, this song is just about how we have people that come and go in our lives, in Gwen's case, someone who, I think, died.. Someone that was such an impact on us in any part of our lives, and then suddenly, their not there any more, for whatever reason, and it has kind of shaped us to become what we are today.
I really hope she releases this as a single.