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.
Shot through with new and now
The thrill of loving someone
That you shouldn't love
But it's moving at the pace of the clouds
So pull your little crystal from the boulevard
I can beat the day away
Suck the water straight out from the stone
We've got omens that are tailor made
For ever situation that you're conjuring
Out
Out
Of
Reaches out
Gail force into my sea
Every time I get some
I feel oh so near
There's no more running gags to attract
But drowzy blonde carousers on the avenue
I can see you hiding out
Shrinking like the daisy
That you're born to be
You did your thing
And now you deserve
The voltage was the best thing
That I ever knew
Out
Out
Of
Reaches out
Out of scenery
Chew the scenery
Well I know the tide will turn
I know the tide will turn
I know the tide will turn
I know the tide will turn
I know the tide will turn
The thrill of loving someone
That you shouldn't love
But it's moving at the pace of the clouds
So pull your little crystal from the boulevard
I can beat the day away
Suck the water straight out from the stone
We've got omens that are tailor made
For ever situation that you're conjuring
Out
Out
Of
Reaches out
Gail force into my sea
Every time I get some
I feel oh so near
There's no more running gags to attract
But drowzy blonde carousers on the avenue
I can see you hiding out
Shrinking like the daisy
That you're born to be
You did your thing
And now you deserve
The voltage was the best thing
That I ever knew
Out
Out
Of
Reaches out
Out of scenery
Chew the scenery
Well I know the tide will turn
I know the tide will turn
I know the tide will turn
I know the tide will turn
I know the tide will turn
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i don't really really know what it means.. but somehow i totally relate, and this song completely breaks my heart at the moment.
Wow... I thought malkmus was losing it till i heard this song... Right between the eyes....
Why would anyone think Malkmus was losing it? This is his fourth great record since going solo. This is the song that turned me onto him. Absolutely haunting. The voltage was the best thing that I ever knew.
Obviously something is out of reach which he wants. The thrill of loving someone that you shouldn't love. However, he knows the tide will turn his way eventually to end this song optimistically.
The first line is "Shot through with new and now."
I love how the chorus is two thoughts made into one:
Out of reach
and
Reaches out
@dollylectric I've listened to this a hundred times and that obvious fact never once occurred to me. Thanks.
unrequited love. not in the classic sense of unrecognized love or lust. this is more or less love that has been tasted and not offered again.