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.
I'm just setting, I'm just setting a trap
And I'm not pulling, no
I'm not pulling for you, you're just pulling at me
I'm not a betting man but this is a sure thing
I've been to Tokyo and to South Africa
So many places that you might say I've seen it all
But my favorite place is the warm embrace
Of holding your hair back in a bathroom stall
Everything I do is bittersweet
You could tell me secrets that I'll probably repeat
I'm not trying to hurt you, I just love to speak
It feels like we're pulling teeth
So bittersweet
I guess thats how its gotta be
I guess thats how its gotta be
All that hate is gonna burn you up
It keeps me warm at night
Warmer than anyone
I think how many drinks I've had
No more in either hand
I'm slurring on purpose
And it's certainly worth it
Everything I do is bittersweet
You could tell me secrets that I'll probably repeat
I'm not trying to hurt you, I just love to speak
It feels like we're pulling teeth
So bittersweet
I guess thats how its gotta be
I guess thats how its gotta be
I guess thats how its gotta be
You and me
Another puppetry
It's such a mystery why you're here
And you became as clear as cellophane
My voice of reasoning
I don't think I can take the way you make me out to be
I'm just setting, I'm just setting a trap
And I'm not pulling, no
I'm not pulling for ya
Everything I do is bittersweet
You could tell me secrets that I'll probably repeat
I'm not trying to hurt you, I just love to speak
It feels like we're pulling teeth
So bittersweet
It feels like we're pulling teeth
So bittersweet
It feels like we're pulling teeth
So bittersweet
And I'm not pulling, no
I'm not pulling for you, you're just pulling at me
I'm not a betting man but this is a sure thing
I've been to Tokyo and to South Africa
So many places that you might say I've seen it all
But my favorite place is the warm embrace
Of holding your hair back in a bathroom stall
Everything I do is bittersweet
You could tell me secrets that I'll probably repeat
I'm not trying to hurt you, I just love to speak
It feels like we're pulling teeth
So bittersweet
I guess thats how its gotta be
I guess thats how its gotta be
All that hate is gonna burn you up
It keeps me warm at night
Warmer than anyone
I think how many drinks I've had
No more in either hand
I'm slurring on purpose
And it's certainly worth it
Everything I do is bittersweet
You could tell me secrets that I'll probably repeat
I'm not trying to hurt you, I just love to speak
It feels like we're pulling teeth
So bittersweet
I guess thats how its gotta be
I guess thats how its gotta be
I guess thats how its gotta be
You and me
Another puppetry
It's such a mystery why you're here
And you became as clear as cellophane
My voice of reasoning
I don't think I can take the way you make me out to be
I'm just setting, I'm just setting a trap
And I'm not pulling, no
I'm not pulling for ya
Everything I do is bittersweet
You could tell me secrets that I'll probably repeat
I'm not trying to hurt you, I just love to speak
It feels like we're pulling teeth
So bittersweet
It feels like we're pulling teeth
So bittersweet
It feels like we're pulling teeth
So bittersweet
Lyrics submitted by Lillien
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I try to listen to the songs off of Vices & Virtues with an unbiased perspective, but a huge part of me can't help but to think half of the songs are about Ryan. To me, this sounds like Brendon is talking about the split and how he and Ryan don't talk much anymore and how Brendon might be coming off as hostile in the interviews when all he really is doing is not watching what he says.
Also, "I'm slurring on purpose and it's certainly worth it" makes me think he's talking about a specific line in Hurricane. The lyrics are printed "Oh I confess, I confess to the room where I'm blessed" but it sounds like he's saying "Oh I confess, I confess to the rumor of us" and maybe Brendon slurs that line on purpose.