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'm hypnotized and helpless
Beneath the pale full moon
My body is your sacrifice
Your spirit's coming soon
I stare up at a squalid night
It's been so cold and smooth
Turns tender kisses into bites
As you begin to move
You look so weak and fragile
You seem to drip and sway
But you swept me up into your arms
And carried me away
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
This nightmare's coming true
You led me to temptation
Delivered me to pain
I walked upon your hallowed ground
My soul is yours to gain
Your passion drains my energy
Fear starts running deep
I'm falling in slow motion
Into eternal sleep
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
This nightmare's coming true
Passion drains my energy
Fear starts running deep
Falling in slow motion
Into eternal sleep
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
There's nothing I can do
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
This nightmare's coming true
I'm living bad dreams
Oh, oh, ooh
I don't want bad dreams
Living bad dreams
Beneath the pale full moon
My body is your sacrifice
Your spirit's coming soon
I stare up at a squalid night
It's been so cold and smooth
Turns tender kisses into bites
As you begin to move
You look so weak and fragile
You seem to drip and sway
But you swept me up into your arms
And carried me away
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
This nightmare's coming true
You led me to temptation
Delivered me to pain
I walked upon your hallowed ground
My soul is yours to gain
Your passion drains my energy
Fear starts running deep
I'm falling in slow motion
Into eternal sleep
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
This nightmare's coming true
Passion drains my energy
Fear starts running deep
Falling in slow motion
Into eternal sleep
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
There's nothing I can do
I'm living bad dreams
I can't run from you
I'm living bad dreams
This nightmare's coming true
I'm living bad dreams
Oh, oh, ooh
I don't want bad dreams
Living bad dreams
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amazing vocal perfomance!