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.
Foolin' on the human population
I know my mind's on the front line
But when I'm lovin' on the human population
Thank God my heart's playin' its part
One day, one day at a time
One day, one day at a time
Love is the birth of a nation
Born from the good womb of humankind
All these stories of creation
Came from the same flame of the most high
One song, one song at a time
One song, one song at a time
Fearing oh I'm sure gettin' better
With every morn a new fear is born
But when I'm trusting trusting trusting
Knowing that we're in it together
Free to face unknown, free to overcome
One day, one day at a time
One day, one day at a time
I know my mind's on the front line
But when I'm lovin' on the human population
Thank God my heart's playin' its part
One day, one day at a time
One day, one day at a time
Love is the birth of a nation
Born from the good womb of humankind
All these stories of creation
Came from the same flame of the most high
One song, one song at a time
One song, one song at a time
Fearing oh I'm sure gettin' better
With every morn a new fear is born
But when I'm trusting trusting trusting
Knowing that we're in it together
Free to face unknown, free to overcome
One day, one day at a time
One day, one day at a time
Lyrics submitted by MichelleBerger
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After watching the video I was quite intrigued as to the meaning of this.. so let's see.
It seems to relate to the general themes of religion and love 'one step at a time'. On the other hand the title is foolin', specifically 'on the human population'. So putting these together I'm guessing it's about having faith in religion, love and humanity, while the very same faith and religion is used for creating fear and the opposite of love, 'Fearing oh I'm sure gettin' better; With every morn a new fear is born'.
While he continues to love, "trusting trusting trusting Knowing that we're in it together Free to face unknown, free to overcome" he's conflicted by others who are "foolin'" the population by negatively interpreting religion, which causes him to fear he's also foolin others. In the end, he still has hope and continues to have faith.
While watching the video he reminded me of Jesus, with the flagellation, lack of clothing, skinnyness.. haha and at the beginning when the man opens the door saying "Do you?", Devendra answers by opening his jacket a little to reveal the tattoo on his chest reading 'FE' which means faith in spanish. Therefore, he begins the video by saying he has faith.
Maybe a greater theme/message to the song/video is to stay positive a day at a time, and to do good with what you know- even if others aren't.
Although... he deliberately knocked on the door, so maybe he was aware of what would come but wanted to go through it to learn more through experience? Harder experiences and life situations can lead to the most growth.
"Harder experiences and life situations can lead to the most growth." That's not necessarily true. When the results are what we want (we as in humans), we see no reason to change/grow. We are getting what we want/need so there's no reason to up the anty, so to speak...why fix it if it ain't broke, as the saying goes. Not sure why you "ha ha"ed about Jesus and the flagellation; I'm thinkin' lightning might strike you today:-)