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.
Why'd you call me today with nothing new to say?
You pretend it's just hello,
But you know what it does to me
To see your number on the phone.
Now tell me, what do you want?
What do you want? What do you want from me?
Are you tryin' to bring back the tears or just the memories?
You keep takin' me back, takin' me back, where I've already been.
When we hang up it's almost like I'm losing you again.
Can't you see?
So what do you want, what do you want from me?
I get so tired, of living like this.
I don't have the time, neither do my friends,
To stay up at night, to pull me through,
And to find the things to keep my mind off of you.
So, now tell me, what do you want?
What do you want? What do you want from me?
Did you call to say you've find someone and I'm a used-to-be.
You keep takin' me back, takin' me back, where I've already been.
If you've moved on, why does it feel like I'm losing you again?
Can't you see?
So what do you want, what do you want from me?
What do you want me to say?
That I'm content?
That I'm on the fence?
That I wish you would've stayed?
Oh baby what do you want,
What do you want, what do you want from me?
To come here and make love tonight, 'cause you're feelin' lonely.
You keep takin' me back, takin' me back, where I've already been.
When we wake up and say goodbye, it's like I'm losing you again.
Can't you see?
So what do you want, what do you want from me?
What do you want, what do you want from me?
You pretend it's just hello,
But you know what it does to me
To see your number on the phone.
Now tell me, what do you want?
What do you want? What do you want from me?
Are you tryin' to bring back the tears or just the memories?
You keep takin' me back, takin' me back, where I've already been.
When we hang up it's almost like I'm losing you again.
Can't you see?
So what do you want, what do you want from me?
I get so tired, of living like this.
I don't have the time, neither do my friends,
To stay up at night, to pull me through,
And to find the things to keep my mind off of you.
So, now tell me, what do you want?
What do you want? What do you want from me?
Did you call to say you've find someone and I'm a used-to-be.
You keep takin' me back, takin' me back, where I've already been.
If you've moved on, why does it feel like I'm losing you again?
Can't you see?
So what do you want, what do you want from me?
What do you want me to say?
That I'm content?
That I'm on the fence?
That I wish you would've stayed?
Oh baby what do you want,
What do you want, what do you want from me?
To come here and make love tonight, 'cause you're feelin' lonely.
You keep takin' me back, takin' me back, where I've already been.
When we wake up and say goodbye, it's like I'm losing you again.
Can't you see?
So what do you want, what do you want from me?
What do you want, what do you want from me?
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The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
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Word Alive, The
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This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I think the first comment already explained it. Self explanatory.
I adore this song and I think it explains that as much as we love someone, it's too hard to speak to them. If you've figured out there will never be a future, why keep making us go through the motions when you're choice is clear. Yet at the same time you still crave to feel the pain from it because it's the closest you'll have to them again.