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.
Your love is nothing I can't fight
Can't sleep with the man who dims my shine
I'm in the bedroom
With tissues and when
I know you're outside banging that I won't let you in
'Cause it's a hard life, with love in the world
And I'm a hard girl
Loving me is like chewing on pearls
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
Won't go without my fix tonight
It's a little too rough
Prom girl wipes her tears with silver lines
And she can't get enough
I'm in the bedroom
With tissues and when
I know you're outside banging that I won't let you in
'Cause it's a hard life, with love in the world
And I'm a hard girl
Loving me is like straightening curls
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
I'm shiny and I know it
Don't know why you wanna blow it
Need a man who likes it rough, likes it rough, likes it rough
I'm shiny and I know it
Don't know why you wanna blow it
Need a man who likes it rough, likes it rough, likes it rough
Is it 'cause you don't mean it?
Or because I don't feel it?
Unless it's rough
Is it 'cause you don't mean it?
Or because I don't feel it?
Unless it's rough
(Lady Gaga)
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
Can't sleep with the man who dims my shine
I'm in the bedroom
With tissues and when
I know you're outside banging that I won't let you in
'Cause it's a hard life, with love in the world
And I'm a hard girl
Loving me is like chewing on pearls
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
Won't go without my fix tonight
It's a little too rough
Prom girl wipes her tears with silver lines
And she can't get enough
I'm in the bedroom
With tissues and when
I know you're outside banging that I won't let you in
'Cause it's a hard life, with love in the world
And I'm a hard girl
Loving me is like straightening curls
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
I'm shiny and I know it
Don't know why you wanna blow it
Need a man who likes it rough, likes it rough, likes it rough
I'm shiny and I know it
Don't know why you wanna blow it
Need a man who likes it rough, likes it rough, likes it rough
Is it 'cause you don't mean it?
Or because I don't feel it?
Unless it's rough
Is it 'cause you don't mean it?
Or because I don't feel it?
Unless it's rough
(Lady Gaga)
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
Lyrics submitted by Technophobia
I Like It Rough Lyrics as written by Martin Kierszenbaum, Stefani J. Germanotta
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Obviously the phrase 'I like it rough' has sexual connotations but I think it's also about her almost self destructive approach to relationships. She needs there to be some form of 'pain' or 'angst' or 'frustration' at least, within her relationships so she knows it's real. As an artist, her suffering fuels her work, her art. It's also tied in with her use of cocaine before she really made it in the industry. The prom girl who makes herself feel better (wipes her tears) with silver lines, never getting enough, is obviously a reference to her past addiction to cocaine. The more you find out about the artist, the more the songs begin to make sense :) X