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.
Moving in and out of the shadow
It's no easy mission, holding on to how I picture you
Showing only bits and pieces
'Til the light betray you and your empty elocution
Searching your eyes for a hint or a trace of humility
Searching your eyes for the saint is an act of futility
Searching your eyes for a hint or a trace
I've been searching your eyes for humility
Searching your eyes for a hint or a trace
I'm still searching, searching
Showing only bits and pieces
'Til the tide betrays you and your empty elocution
Float the Piper by and down the river
Carcass crippled underneath the pounding waves of adoration
Pied Piper, float on down the river
Bloated carcass crippled 'neath the weight of adoration
Moving in and out of the shadow
It's no easy mission, holding on to how I picture you
It's no easy mission, holding on to how I picture you
Showing only bits and pieces
'Til the light betray you and your empty elocution
Searching your eyes for a hint or a trace of humility
Searching your eyes for the saint is an act of futility
Searching your eyes for a hint or a trace
I've been searching your eyes for humility
Searching your eyes for a hint or a trace
I'm still searching, searching
Showing only bits and pieces
'Til the tide betrays you and your empty elocution
Float the Piper by and down the river
Carcass crippled underneath the pounding waves of adoration
Pied Piper, float on down the river
Bloated carcass crippled 'neath the weight of adoration
Moving in and out of the shadow
It's no easy mission, holding on to how I picture you
Lyrics submitted by Punkfunkbuzz, edited by projectdnz, NoL, abunaiYo!, BlanketEffect
By and Down Lyrics as written by Maynard James Keenan Billy Howerdel
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
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Glassjaw
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its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
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Gadjits, The
Gadjits, The
He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.
The Spy
Doors, The
Doors, The
Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
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Bee Gees
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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.
There is a kind of rapture that surpasses the outside world when experiencing live music that's had an impact on our inner world, and it's true, but transient, but also it isn't...
While performing, an adoring fan calls out over the crowd. When the show is over, the lights go on, pipes begin to play, and he watches her leave with the crowd. He feels insulted and objectified what was proclaimed because the fan doesn't stay behind to express how much of an impact the artist has had on them personally, she goes with the tide... the show is over and this is all quickly dropped: the allocation of adoration is empty, but it filled him up. While he's trying to hold onto the image of this adoration from a person he thought was genuine, or from fans who claim his art has added meaning to their lives, they go back to their lives, so really, how truly do they mean it?
Then off to the next show.