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 got something on my mind
I'm just a little bit depressed
I tried to blame it on the rain
But it was in my heart, I guess
I was feeling like a stranger
As I drove through my hometown
Past the sign that reads the boyhood home
Of a place that's long gone now
I realize ain't nothing what it used to be
Till I heard a song that takes me to my memories
The radio saved my life tonight
Old song that the DJ played made me feel all right
I made it home by my dashboard light
The radio saved my life tonight
It was just this side of morning
Just this side of dawn
I walked so soft into my bedroom
Saw my wife sleeping alone
She whispered "baby are you okay? have you been gone for long?"
I just kicked off my jeans and I held her close
I held her all night long
I tried to sleep
But in my mind I heard that song
Like a friend in need
The melody keeps me hanging on
The radio saved my life tonight
That old that the DJ played made me feel all right
I made it home by my dashboard light
The radio saved my life tonight
The radio--saved my life tonight
That sad song that the DJ played made me feel all right
As I drove down that lonesome highway, just me and my dashboard light
The radio saved my life tonight
The radio saved my life tonight
Old song that the DJ played made me feel all right
Made it home by my dashboard light
The radio saved my life tonight
The radio saved my life tonight
The radio saved my life tonight
I'm just a little bit depressed
I tried to blame it on the rain
But it was in my heart, I guess
I was feeling like a stranger
As I drove through my hometown
Past the sign that reads the boyhood home
Of a place that's long gone now
I realize ain't nothing what it used to be
Till I heard a song that takes me to my memories
The radio saved my life tonight
Old song that the DJ played made me feel all right
I made it home by my dashboard light
The radio saved my life tonight
It was just this side of morning
Just this side of dawn
I walked so soft into my bedroom
Saw my wife sleeping alone
She whispered "baby are you okay? have you been gone for long?"
I just kicked off my jeans and I held her close
I held her all night long
I tried to sleep
But in my mind I heard that song
Like a friend in need
The melody keeps me hanging on
The radio saved my life tonight
That old that the DJ played made me feel all right
I made it home by my dashboard light
The radio saved my life tonight
The radio--saved my life tonight
That sad song that the DJ played made me feel all right
As I drove down that lonesome highway, just me and my dashboard light
The radio saved my life tonight
The radio saved my life tonight
Old song that the DJ played made me feel all right
Made it home by my dashboard light
The radio saved my life tonight
The radio saved my life tonight
The radio saved my life tonight
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Oh my gosh.... this song like almost describes me. The firrst verse is so true, I always do that. I say i'm just feeling down because of the rain, but I have realized I can't lie to myself. When I hear a certain song (many of those have been by Bon Jovi), I feel like a whole new person, I feel strong, invincable. This is a great song