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 took a picture of a girl I once knew
I kept it here in case I'd run into you
The look on your face could light up a room
But instead you left
And now I'm sitting with my head on the dashboard
Push the seat back and close my eyes
I had this dream that I was on an airplane
Afraid to fly
So I tipped my head to the side and I whispered
To this man that was in the aisle
I said "Do you know how long it takes before we die?"
And then I rolled awake
Take me back to the person I used to be
When you were there for me
I know it seems like forever
But do me this favor please
Way back when we were stupid
Held grudges just to help us sleep
Oh my God, how ridiculous were we?
I stop your breathin’ every time I'm around, girl
Your body's sweatin’ and your hands start to shake
I know you can't control your eyes
But I know that your looks, they are fake
So tease me once and I swear I’ll forget
How it feels when you’ve got nothing left
We’ll take it slow and only work at it sometimes
Oh yeah
Take me back to the person I used to be
When you were there for me
I know it seems like forever
But do me this favor please
Way back when we were stupid
Held grudges just to help us sleep
Oh my God, how ridiculous were we?
Woah, woah
I took a picture of a girl I once knew
I kept it here in case I'd run into you
The look on your face could light up a room
But instead you left
And oh you left
Take me back to the person I used to be
When you were there for me
I know it seems like forever
But do me this favor please
Way back when we were stupid
Held grudges just to help us sleep
Oh my God, how ridiculous were we?
Woah, woah
I kept it here in case I'd run into you
The look on your face could light up a room
But instead you left
And now I'm sitting with my head on the dashboard
Push the seat back and close my eyes
I had this dream that I was on an airplane
Afraid to fly
So I tipped my head to the side and I whispered
To this man that was in the aisle
I said "Do you know how long it takes before we die?"
And then I rolled awake
Take me back to the person I used to be
When you were there for me
I know it seems like forever
But do me this favor please
Way back when we were stupid
Held grudges just to help us sleep
Oh my God, how ridiculous were we?
I stop your breathin’ every time I'm around, girl
Your body's sweatin’ and your hands start to shake
I know you can't control your eyes
But I know that your looks, they are fake
So tease me once and I swear I’ll forget
How it feels when you’ve got nothing left
We’ll take it slow and only work at it sometimes
Oh yeah
Take me back to the person I used to be
When you were there for me
I know it seems like forever
But do me this favor please
Way back when we were stupid
Held grudges just to help us sleep
Oh my God, how ridiculous were we?
Woah, woah
I took a picture of a girl I once knew
I kept it here in case I'd run into you
The look on your face could light up a room
But instead you left
And oh you left
Take me back to the person I used to be
When you were there for me
I know it seems like forever
But do me this favor please
Way back when we were stupid
Held grudges just to help us sleep
Oh my God, how ridiculous were we?
Woah, woah
Lyrics submitted by TChandliee, edited by smexybak
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I read all the other comments and I can't help but feel that everyone has it backwards.
I don't think its about a girl he knew that changed. I think he was the one who changed, and he knows it. The girl probably stopped being his friend because of the way he changed. I think he is seeking help to change back, so obviously he changed for the worse. And he can tell that because he changed, he is different in the girl's eyes, who he seems to love. He can also tell that he makes her nervous when hes around now, so I'm guessing he is on drugs or something. And when he says he's 'afraid to fly' I think it is his fear to change back, probably because he is getting off the drugs or w/e he is on.