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.
Every sentiment hangs around
No longer than a minute or two
I find I keep falling for love
But I can’t seem to follow it through
So run, little rabbit, run
I leave one good hand on the wheel
Been counting mile markers for days
Everything falls further behind
I can disappear in several ways
So run, little rabbit, run
Sleep through the morning
Don’t wake me up
Sleep through the morning
One little man to one mighty sun
Try to break away from yourself
Throw your broken bones in a heap
All the blood and guts are exposed
Your spirit has been begging to leave
No longer than a minute or two
I find I keep falling for love
But I can’t seem to follow it through
So run, little rabbit, run
I leave one good hand on the wheel
Been counting mile markers for days
Everything falls further behind
I can disappear in several ways
So run, little rabbit, run
Sleep through the morning
Don’t wake me up
Sleep through the morning
One little man to one mighty sun
Try to break away from yourself
Throw your broken bones in a heap
All the blood and guts are exposed
Your spirit has been begging to leave
Lyrics submitted by Relient_Girl
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
I felt the song may have a more direct message, I think he could be referring to the loss of a child due to illness (cancer?)... the refrain:
Sleep through the morning Don’t wake me up Sleep through the morning One little man to one mighty sun
could be read as a double entendre
Sleep through the mourning (to mourn the dead) Don’t wake me up Sleep through the mourning One little man to one mighty son (child... also "little man" as a possible child reference.)
The closing seems pretty direct as well,
Try to break away from yourself Throw your broken bones in a heap All the blood and guts are exposed Your spirit has been begging to leave
A somewhat positive view on the death of a terminally ill child, at least the pain is over, and his spirit has been begging to leave.
Listen to it again thinking this and see if the emotion in his voice doesn't make you believe.