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.
"Give us a break.
We know you want to see him,
But let's not give him the feeling, uh
That all we are is curiosity seekers.
If you could fall back a little bit,
Give him a break, he's got a big job to do today."
Well I was born a little apple seed.
No one seemed to notice me.
Stealing kisses in the dark,
From two sisters hard to tell apart.
I was the monkey in the middle
But I never get caught.
From the pump and dump to the bait and switch,
I could do 'em all with the flip of a wrist.
Even as a pup down on the farm,
I never met a beast I couldn't charm.
I was the monkey in the middle
And I never get caught.
Yeah, I was the monkey in the middle
And I never get caught.
Well St. Petersburg's a funky town.
There's money to be made if you ask around.
Microfilm, discotheques,
Cash in hand and traveler's checks.
I was the monkey in the middle
And I never got caught.
Yeah, I was the monkey in the middle
And I never got caught.
Alright.
And I never got caught.
And I never got caught.
Ah watch me now!
Cleopatra ruled the Nile with an iron fist.
Some folks they just couldn't handle it.
They hunted down my river queen,
Nobody laid a hand on me.
I was the monkey in the middle
But I never got caught.
She owned the heart of Egypt land.
They say she died by her own hand.
There was a harmless game of truth or dare,
She grabbed that snake and held it there.
I was the monkey in the middle
And I never got caught.
Yeah, I was the monkey in the middle
And I never got caught.
Alright.
And I never got caught.
And I never got caught.
Ah watch me now!
Well, I came into this world unknown.
I've seen so many good people come and go.
But I got no gray hairs upon my head,
And I kept my cool to the bitter end.
I am the monkey in the middle
And I never get caught.
You let Jesus make your dyin' bed,
Tell him I've got other plans instead.
Take the Reaper off his rounds,
I can shut my own light out.
I'm the monkey in the middle
And I never get caught.
Yeah, I'm the monkey in the middle
And I never get caught.
Mr. guitar player!
"I guess it just be that way sometimes
I guess it just be that way sometimes
Ooh I guess it just be that way sometimes"
We know you want to see him,
But let's not give him the feeling, uh
That all we are is curiosity seekers.
If you could fall back a little bit,
Give him a break, he's got a big job to do today."
Well I was born a little apple seed.
No one seemed to notice me.
Stealing kisses in the dark,
From two sisters hard to tell apart.
I was the monkey in the middle
But I never get caught.
From the pump and dump to the bait and switch,
I could do 'em all with the flip of a wrist.
Even as a pup down on the farm,
I never met a beast I couldn't charm.
I was the monkey in the middle
And I never get caught.
Yeah, I was the monkey in the middle
And I never get caught.
Well St. Petersburg's a funky town.
There's money to be made if you ask around.
Microfilm, discotheques,
Cash in hand and traveler's checks.
I was the monkey in the middle
And I never got caught.
Yeah, I was the monkey in the middle
And I never got caught.
Alright.
And I never got caught.
And I never got caught.
Ah watch me now!
Cleopatra ruled the Nile with an iron fist.
Some folks they just couldn't handle it.
They hunted down my river queen,
Nobody laid a hand on me.
I was the monkey in the middle
But I never got caught.
She owned the heart of Egypt land.
They say she died by her own hand.
There was a harmless game of truth or dare,
She grabbed that snake and held it there.
I was the monkey in the middle
And I never got caught.
Yeah, I was the monkey in the middle
And I never got caught.
Alright.
And I never got caught.
And I never got caught.
Ah watch me now!
Well, I came into this world unknown.
I've seen so many good people come and go.
But I got no gray hairs upon my head,
And I kept my cool to the bitter end.
I am the monkey in the middle
And I never get caught.
You let Jesus make your dyin' bed,
Tell him I've got other plans instead.
Take the Reaper off his rounds,
I can shut my own light out.
I'm the monkey in the middle
And I never get caught.
Yeah, I'm the monkey in the middle
And I never get caught.
Mr. guitar player!
"I guess it just be that way sometimes
I guess it just be that way sometimes
Ooh I guess it just be that way sometimes"
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Monkey in the Middle Lyrics as written by Charles Prophet
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.