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.
You aint alone, so why you lonely?
there you go on the dark end of the street
are you scared to tell somebody how you feel about
somebody? are you scared what somebody's gon think?
or...
are you scared to wear your heart out on your sleeve?
are you scared me?
cause i'm scared the bomb gonna take me away...
oh, but i really don't know what i got to say...
alright!
1-2-3, are you to scared to dance for me?
bite the bullet or tug my sleeve?
or are you scared out on your own two feet?
we really aint that different, you and me.
cause I'm scared the storm gonna take me away..
but i really don't know what i got to say...
hold on....hold on...
cry, if you gonna cry
come on, cry wit me.
you ain't alone,
just let me be your ticket home....
there you go on the dark end of the street
are you scared to tell somebody how you feel about
somebody? are you scared what somebody's gon think?
or...
are you scared to wear your heart out on your sleeve?
are you scared me?
cause i'm scared the bomb gonna take me away...
oh, but i really don't know what i got to say...
alright!
1-2-3, are you to scared to dance for me?
bite the bullet or tug my sleeve?
or are you scared out on your own two feet?
we really aint that different, you and me.
cause I'm scared the storm gonna take me away..
but i really don't know what i got to say...
hold on....hold on...
cry, if you gonna cry
come on, cry wit me.
you ain't alone,
just let me be your ticket home....
Lyrics submitted by delial
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One of their best songs so far, in my opinion. I've seen this group twice now, and let me tell you, they're on to something good...I'm talking new stuff that didn't make it onto Boys and Girls. Trust me, as the Alabama Shakes continue to perfect their sound, they're going to be spitting some hot fire much sooner than later. Brittany seems to be coming into her own on stage, although she is still a tad bit inside of her shell, it seems. Even so, these guys put on a helluva live show. Check them out and track 'em down when they roll into your town.
same thoughts exactly. Saw them in Portland couple weekends ago. Holy shit is her energy amazing. Made me cry a few times. Excited to see them again in Vegas this July!
I love that line :1-2-3, are you to scared to dance for me? it's so beautiful.
This song to me speaks on a fear to try for a relationship because your scared to tell someone how you feel about them, and the speaker announces when she says 'we ain't really that different, you and me."
This song is about a transgender female (genetically male) telling the straight young man who has fallen in love with her that he seems scared to be in love with her. "Are you scared what somebody's gonna think? Are you scared to wear your heart out on your sleeve?"