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've been roaming around
Always looking down at all I see
Painted faces, fill the places I can't reach
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you, and all you know, and how you speak
Countless lovers under cover of the street
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
(Oh, oh)
(Oh, oh)
(Oh, oh)
(Oh, oh)
Off in the night, while you live it up, I'm off to sleep
Waging wars to shape the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I hope it's gonna make you notice
Someone like me
(Oh, oh)
Someone like me
(Oh, oh)
Someone like me (oh), somebody (oh)
(Oh, oh)
I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now
I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now
(Oh, oh)
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
I've been roaming around
Always looking down at all I see
Always looking down at all I see
Painted faces, fill the places I can't reach
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you, and all you know, and how you speak
Countless lovers under cover of the street
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
(Oh, oh)
(Oh, oh)
(Oh, oh)
(Oh, oh)
Off in the night, while you live it up, I'm off to sleep
Waging wars to shape the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I hope it's gonna make you notice
Someone like me
(Oh, oh)
Someone like me
(Oh, oh)
Someone like me (oh), somebody (oh)
(Oh, oh)
I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now
I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now
(Oh, oh)
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
I've been roaming around
Always looking down at all I see
Lyrics submitted by secondary spine, edited by kingofworld
Use Somebody Lyrics as written by Ivan Nathan Followill Anthony Caleb Followill
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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This is a fantastic song.
I think it's sorta obvious what it's about.. He's on tour and he sees the crowds and he gets lonely. I think the whole "lonely while everyone sees you" scenario is definitely plausible.