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.
His two handed handshake
Says he's so glad to meet you
His one silver earring
Says he parties on weekends
He churns through the channels
When he's watching the TV
He recites lines from movies
When he's trying to be funny
Guys, it's like we're not even trying
Yeah, she danced with that one guy
She must know we're watching
It seems like less people
Than were here just last weekend
She's still pretty pissed
About her ex's new trick
There were stares
And glares and names
Girls, you know you're not really helping
I don't think that you'll find love
In some bathroom at some club
I know some kids who didn't come back
We had First Ave. on Fridays
We're pirates at port
We go in and we get high,
Two at a time
We get drunk on the sports
We're falling into bed
With our television sets
We're watching movies
That we've already seen
Guys, it's like we're not even trying
You dress like contestants
At some desparate paegent
You fall asleep in your makeup
You wake up with a blemish
You're making up your mind
About the drinks after work
It's such a gossipy office
Girls, you're gonna find someone
You don't have to rush it
You're too young to force your crushes
You don't have to rush it
You're too young to fake your crushes
Oooh
Guys, I'm pretty sure that we can put it back together
And girls, you gotta try to be nice to one another
Guys, I'm pretty sure that we can put it back together
And girls, you gotta try to be nice to one another
I don't think we'll get the truth
From kids with stickers on their boots
I know some kids who didn't come back
From the plywood painted black
We gotta try a little harder
We gotta be a little better
We gotta pull it back together
Says he's so glad to meet you
His one silver earring
Says he parties on weekends
He churns through the channels
When he's watching the TV
He recites lines from movies
When he's trying to be funny
Guys, it's like we're not even trying
Yeah, she danced with that one guy
She must know we're watching
It seems like less people
Than were here just last weekend
She's still pretty pissed
About her ex's new trick
There were stares
And glares and names
Girls, you know you're not really helping
I don't think that you'll find love
In some bathroom at some club
I know some kids who didn't come back
We had First Ave. on Fridays
We're pirates at port
We go in and we get high,
Two at a time
We get drunk on the sports
We're falling into bed
With our television sets
We're watching movies
That we've already seen
Guys, it's like we're not even trying
You dress like contestants
At some desparate paegent
You fall asleep in your makeup
You wake up with a blemish
You're making up your mind
About the drinks after work
It's such a gossipy office
Girls, you're gonna find someone
You don't have to rush it
You're too young to force your crushes
You don't have to rush it
You're too young to fake your crushes
Oooh
Guys, I'm pretty sure that we can put it back together
And girls, you gotta try to be nice to one another
Guys, I'm pretty sure that we can put it back together
And girls, you gotta try to be nice to one another
I don't think we'll get the truth
From kids with stickers on their boots
I know some kids who didn't come back
From the plywood painted black
We gotta try a little harder
We gotta be a little better
We gotta pull it back together
Lyrics submitted by shrodes
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One of my two favorites from Stay Positive. The other being Ask Her for Some Adderol. Both bonus tracks... don't know why.