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.
When it hits me what she's gone
I think I'll run for president
Get my face put on the million dollar bill
So when these rich men that she wants
Show her ways they can take care of her
I'll have found a way to be there with her still
When it hits me that she's gone
I think I'll be an astronaut
Make the moon my home and leave the earth behind
So when eh steps out into the night
She'll be facing me every time she shines
When it hits me that she's left me alone
When I finally move on with my life
Her goodbye written into stone
And her shadow grown into a night
When it hits me that she's gone
I think I'll be a movie star
Play the finest men the world has ever seen
So when these lovers that she's found
Show her ways they learned to talk to her
Behind each perfect word there'll be a little bit of me
I think I'll run for president
Get my face put on the million dollar bill
So when these rich men that she wants
Show her ways they can take care of her
I'll have found a way to be there with her still
When it hits me that she's gone
I think I'll be an astronaut
Make the moon my home and leave the earth behind
So when eh steps out into the night
She'll be facing me every time she shines
When it hits me that she's left me alone
When I finally move on with my life
Her goodbye written into stone
And her shadow grown into a night
When it hits me that she's gone
I think I'll be a movie star
Play the finest men the world has ever seen
So when these lovers that she's found
Show her ways they learned to talk to her
Behind each perfect word there'll be a little bit of me
Lyrics submitted by matthewconte
Million Dollar Bill Lyrics as written by Taylor Goldsmith
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I got these straight from the liner notes, although there were some clear mistakes in the liner notes, so maybe that's not the best source. Anyway, I think these are accurate, not to mention that there is a lot of beauty in what Taylor is saying with this song. Just a few different verses basically saying "Yeah you left me, but I still really want to be a part of your life" and so he says it in these ridiculous but very poetic ways like "I'm going to fly to the moon so when you look out on it you'll be seeing me." I like it.