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.
Laugh and say I'm green
I've seen things you'll never see
Talk behind my back
I'm off the beaten track
I'll take on anyone
Ain't scared of a bloody nose
Drink 'til I drop down
With one eye on my clothes
What is it?
I'll take it
Who is she?
I'll rape it
Got a bet there?
I'll meet it
Getting high?
You can't beat it
Doctor Jimmy and mister Jim
When I'm pilled you don't notice him
He only comes out when I drink my gin
You say she's a virgin
But I'm gonna be the first in
Her fellah's gonna kill me?
Oh fucking will he
I'm seeing double
But don't miss me if you can
There's gonna be trouble
When she chooses her man
What is it?
I'll take it
Who is she?
I'll rape it
Got a bet there?
I'll meet it
Getting high?
You can't beat it
Doctor Jimmy and mister Jim
When I'm pilled you don't notice him
He only comes out when I drink my gin
Is it me?
For a moment
The stars are falling
The heat is rising
The past is calling
Is it me?
For a moment
The stars are falling
The heat is rising
The past is calling
I'm going back soon
Home to get the baboon
Who cut up my eye
Tore up my Levis
I'm feeling restless
Bring another score around
Maybe something stronger
Could really hold me down
What is it?
I'll take it
Who is she?
I'll rape it
Got a bet there?
I'll meet it
Getting high?
You can't beat it
What is it?
I'll take it
Who is she?
I'll rape it
Doctor Jimmy and mister Jim
When I'm pilled you don't notice him
He only comes out when I drink my gin
Is it me?
For a moment
The stars are falling
The heat is rising
The past is calling
Is it me?
For a moment
The stars are falling
The heat is rising
The past is calling
I've seen things you'll never see
Talk behind my back
I'm off the beaten track
I'll take on anyone
Ain't scared of a bloody nose
Drink 'til I drop down
With one eye on my clothes
What is it?
I'll take it
Who is she?
I'll rape it
Got a bet there?
I'll meet it
Getting high?
You can't beat it
Doctor Jimmy and mister Jim
When I'm pilled you don't notice him
He only comes out when I drink my gin
You say she's a virgin
But I'm gonna be the first in
Her fellah's gonna kill me?
Oh fucking will he
I'm seeing double
But don't miss me if you can
There's gonna be trouble
When she chooses her man
What is it?
I'll take it
Who is she?
I'll rape it
Got a bet there?
I'll meet it
Getting high?
You can't beat it
Doctor Jimmy and mister Jim
When I'm pilled you don't notice him
He only comes out when I drink my gin
Is it me?
For a moment
The stars are falling
The heat is rising
The past is calling
Is it me?
For a moment
The stars are falling
The heat is rising
The past is calling
I'm going back soon
Home to get the baboon
Who cut up my eye
Tore up my Levis
I'm feeling restless
Bring another score around
Maybe something stronger
Could really hold me down
What is it?
I'll take it
Who is she?
I'll rape it
Got a bet there?
I'll meet it
Getting high?
You can't beat it
What is it?
I'll take it
Who is she?
I'll rape it
Doctor Jimmy and mister Jim
When I'm pilled you don't notice him
He only comes out when I drink my gin
Is it me?
For a moment
The stars are falling
The heat is rising
The past is calling
Is it me?
For a moment
The stars are falling
The heat is rising
The past is calling
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Doctor Jimmy Lyrics as written by Peter Dennis Blandfor Townshend
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Abkco Music Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
It's odd that I should be the first person to comment on this song, but it's just about a masterpiece, so complex and so thrilling.