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.
She was more like a beauty queen from a movie screen
Said "don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one?"
Who will dance on the floor in the round?
She says I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round
She said her name was Billie Jean, and she caused a scene
Every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round?
People always told me be careful what you do
Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
Mother always told me be careful who you love
Be careful what you do before the lie becomes the truth
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who said that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one
But the kid is not my son
For forty days and forty nights the law was on her side
Who could can stand when she's in demand
Her schemes and her plans
'Cause we danced on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice
And remember to always think twice, do think twice
She told my baby that we danced till three
And she looked at me, showed a photo of my baby crying
His eyes were like mine
'Cause we dance on the floor in the round
People always told me be careful what you do
Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
Then she stood right by me, the smell of sweet perfume
This happened much too soon, but she called me to her room
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one
But the kid is not my son
So take my strong advice
And remember to always think twice
Do think twice
Said "don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one?"
Who will dance on the floor in the round?
She says I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round
She said her name was Billie Jean, and she caused a scene
Every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round?
People always told me be careful what you do
Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
Mother always told me be careful who you love
Be careful what you do before the lie becomes the truth
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who said that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one
But the kid is not my son
For forty days and forty nights the law was on her side
Who could can stand when she's in demand
Her schemes and her plans
'Cause we danced on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice
And remember to always think twice, do think twice
She told my baby that we danced till three
And she looked at me, showed a photo of my baby crying
His eyes were like mine
'Cause we dance on the floor in the round
People always told me be careful what you do
Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
Then she stood right by me, the smell of sweet perfume
This happened much too soon, but she called me to her room
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one
But the kid is not my son
So take my strong advice
And remember to always think twice
Do think twice
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