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.
That's a pretty big trunk on my Lincoln town car, ain't it?
Big enough to take these broken hearts and put 'em in it
Now I'm driving 'round on the boulevard, trunk bleeding
And every time the cops pull me over, they don't never see them
They never see them (ow)
And I've got this black suit on
Roaming around like I'm ready for a funeral
Five more miles 'til the road runs out
I'm about to drive in the ocean
I'ma try to swim from something bigger than me
Kick off my shoes and swim good and swim good
Take off this suit and swim good and swim good, good
Got some pretty good beats on this 808 CD, yeah
Memory seats I'm sitting on stay heated (yeah)
I woulda put tints on my windows but what's the difference (no, no)
If I feel like a Ghost (no Swayze) ever since I lost my baby?
I've had this black suit on (ow)
Roaming around like I'm ready for a funeral (ow)
One more mile 'til the road runs out, out
I'm about to drive in the ocean
I'ma try to swim from something bigger than me
Kick off my shoes and swim good and swim good
Take off this suit and swim good and swim good, good
I'm going off (oh my pretty love), don't try stopping me
I'm going off (throw me a line), don't try saving (oh my)
No flares (oh my), no vest (but you're my love), and no fear
Waves are washing me (out)
I'm about to drive (drive) in the ocean (ocean, yeah)
I'ma try to swim from something bigger than me (bigger than me)
Kick off my shoes (good) and swim good (good), and swim good
Take off this suit (take off this suit)
And swim good, and swim good, good
Big enough to take these broken hearts and put 'em in it
Now I'm driving 'round on the boulevard, trunk bleeding
And every time the cops pull me over, they don't never see them
They never see them (ow)
And I've got this black suit on
Roaming around like I'm ready for a funeral
Five more miles 'til the road runs out
I'm about to drive in the ocean
I'ma try to swim from something bigger than me
Kick off my shoes and swim good and swim good
Take off this suit and swim good and swim good, good
Got some pretty good beats on this 808 CD, yeah
Memory seats I'm sitting on stay heated (yeah)
I woulda put tints on my windows but what's the difference (no, no)
If I feel like a Ghost (no Swayze) ever since I lost my baby?
I've had this black suit on (ow)
Roaming around like I'm ready for a funeral (ow)
One more mile 'til the road runs out, out
I'm about to drive in the ocean
I'ma try to swim from something bigger than me
Kick off my shoes and swim good and swim good
Take off this suit and swim good and swim good, good
I'm going off (oh my pretty love), don't try stopping me
I'm going off (throw me a line), don't try saving (oh my)
No flares (oh my), no vest (but you're my love), and no fear
Waves are washing me (out)
I'm about to drive (drive) in the ocean (ocean, yeah)
I'ma try to swim from something bigger than me (bigger than me)
Kick off my shoes (good) and swim good (good), and swim good
Take off this suit (take off this suit)
And swim good, and swim good, good
Lyrics submitted by thatoneguy82101, edited by v8pluver
Swim Good Lyrics as written by Christopher Breaux Charles Gambetta
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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