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.
We can remember swimming in December
Heading for the city lights in 1975
We share in each other
Nearer than father
The scent of a lemon drips from your eyes
We are the people that rule the world
A force running in every boy and girl
All rejoicing in the world
Take me now, we can try
We lived an adventure
Love in the Summer
I followed the sun 'til night
Reminiscing other times of life
For each every other
The feeling was stronger
The shock hit eleven
I got lost in your eyes
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
Can you remember and humanize?
It was still where we'd energized
Lie in the sand and visualize
Like it's '75 again
We are the people that rule the world
A force running in every boy and girl
All rejoicing in the world
Take me now, we can try
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I know everything about you
know everything about me
Know everything about us
I know everything about you
know everything about me
Know everything about us
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I can't do well when I-
Heading for the city lights in 1975
We share in each other
Nearer than father
The scent of a lemon drips from your eyes
We are the people that rule the world
A force running in every boy and girl
All rejoicing in the world
Take me now, we can try
We lived an adventure
Love in the Summer
I followed the sun 'til night
Reminiscing other times of life
For each every other
The feeling was stronger
The shock hit eleven
I got lost in your eyes
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
Can you remember and humanize?
It was still where we'd energized
Lie in the sand and visualize
Like it's '75 again
We are the people that rule the world
A force running in every boy and girl
All rejoicing in the world
Take me now, we can try
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I know everything about you
know everything about me
Know everything about us
I know everything about you
know everything about me
Know everything about us
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
I can't do well when I-
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Just lots of old meso-american mythological references. The natives didn't fear death or see it as the ultimate punishment or the dreaded fate or the end of all things, that's it party over, world of suck, no. They saw it as just another part of life, funny enough. Just the other side, and all things have an "other" side.
Although the lyrics' meaning could have something to do with soulmates, the video goes even deeper, for a meaning of its own, I think.
I keep thinking Nick and Luke are both supposed to be different sides of the same person. Or they're spiritual travelers or something. When they meet the woman (is this death?), then they use their powers(water is life) transforming the moment into that oasis. Plus dig that cool "gash" across Nick's midsection. This video is so full of imagery and symbols it's my favorite.