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 live a life of the simple kind
A lie it only covers
Either way
You do it every other day
Giving love is essential
Whenever we come undone
So believe what you want to
Whenever you come undone
Someone to love me
Somebody to talk to
I wanna be like everybody else
Someone to love me
Somebody to talk to
I wanna be like everybody else
Nobody can hurt me
Unless I allow them
For it is I
It is I that is in control
Even includes myself
Too much and I fall
Too much and I fall
That includes myself man
Cos ya too idle
You won't survive because you're idle
Come ride with me on a wave that's tidal
Forced to stand down and brave the winter
If you reveal the cracks
Then you will splinter
Someone to love me
Somebody to talk to
I wanna be like everybody else
Someone to love me
Somebody to talk to
I wanna be like everybody else
A lie it only covers
Either way
You do it every other day
Giving love is essential
Whenever we come undone
So believe what you want to
Whenever you come undone
Someone to love me
Somebody to talk to
I wanna be like everybody else
Someone to love me
Somebody to talk to
I wanna be like everybody else
Nobody can hurt me
Unless I allow them
For it is I
It is I that is in control
Even includes myself
Too much and I fall
Too much and I fall
That includes myself man
Cos ya too idle
You won't survive because you're idle
Come ride with me on a wave that's tidal
Forced to stand down and brave the winter
If you reveal the cracks
Then you will splinter
Someone to love me
Somebody to talk to
I wanna be like everybody else
Someone to love me
Somebody to talk to
I wanna be like everybody else
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I love the deep tribal feel to the song, sounds very trip-hop/massive attack. Lyrically its pretty obvious that song is about getting out of a rut and doing something productive with yourself.