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.
You can wear your new white shoes
In the muddy afternoon
Walking past the "stay-drunk-stoop"
They whistle with their hands
But I could be your catcall too
Anything you wanna do
Anything you wanna do
You can take your slide trombone
Play it in in the catacombs
Find a town that moves real slow
And turn it on its head
And I could be your Pharaoh's tomb
Anything you wanna do
Lover, anything you wanna do
If you want to be common
I can claim that I tamed you
A demigod in a bonnet
They're gonna know it ain't true
You can paint your nails lime green
Rent yourself a limousine
Kidnap the professor's niece
Just tell them that she's dead
We'll party in a hotel room
Anything you wanna do
Sister, anything you wanna do
You can get your hair all wet
Sleeping on the riverbed
Kiss a frog and then dissect
Gotta find out what's inside
But you can have my bad side too
Anything you wanna do
Sugar, anything you wanna do
And if you want to be common
I can claim that I tamed you
A demigod in a bonnet
They're gonna know it ain't true
And yes, you are king David's star
And the crescent moon, and the crescent moon
You must sweep the Bodhi tree
I sit beneath, oh I sit beneath
You can wear your new white shoes
In the dirty afternoon
Walking through the traffic fumes
A flower in your hair
And I will swing upon your moods
Anytime you want me to
Just tell me what you wanna do
Anything you wanna do
Lover, anything you wanna do
Lover, anything you wanna do
In the muddy afternoon
Walking past the "stay-drunk-stoop"
They whistle with their hands
But I could be your catcall too
Anything you wanna do
Anything you wanna do
You can take your slide trombone
Play it in in the catacombs
Find a town that moves real slow
And turn it on its head
And I could be your Pharaoh's tomb
Anything you wanna do
Lover, anything you wanna do
If you want to be common
I can claim that I tamed you
A demigod in a bonnet
They're gonna know it ain't true
You can paint your nails lime green
Rent yourself a limousine
Kidnap the professor's niece
Just tell them that she's dead
We'll party in a hotel room
Anything you wanna do
Sister, anything you wanna do
You can get your hair all wet
Sleeping on the riverbed
Kiss a frog and then dissect
Gotta find out what's inside
But you can have my bad side too
Anything you wanna do
Sugar, anything you wanna do
And if you want to be common
I can claim that I tamed you
A demigod in a bonnet
They're gonna know it ain't true
And yes, you are king David's star
And the crescent moon, and the crescent moon
You must sweep the Bodhi tree
I sit beneath, oh I sit beneath
You can wear your new white shoes
In the dirty afternoon
Walking through the traffic fumes
A flower in your hair
And I will swing upon your moods
Anytime you want me to
Just tell me what you wanna do
Anything you wanna do
Lover, anything you wanna do
Lover, anything you wanna do
Lyrics submitted by jethrothekid, edited by minuette
White Shoes Lyrics as written by Conor M Oberst
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
this song stands out on the album, one of the softest, most sincere, relaxed & heartfelt songs i have heard... it is deeply romantic to the point that it is just a mood- timeless
What album is this on? I have just come across it on Youtube as a live recording. I have all his albums (I thought) and have not heard this on an album.
What album is this on? I have just come across it on Youtube as a live recording. I have all his albums (I thought) and have not heard this on an album.