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.
I'm in reverse running
Doesn't mean anything
Hurling headlong
Why would you even ask
I forgot who I am
Snakes uncoiling
Pressed up to the glass
All things you shouldn't ask
But you see through me
It doesn't mean anything
A meaningless plaything
Reverse running
Running contrary-ways
Pulling off the anyways
I'm messing up
Messing up the balance
Breaking my trajectory
All the toys in the factory
While you all lie down
While you all lie down
I'm skipping back through the tapes.
Skipping through the ad breaks.
God in heaven
If it makes you feel energized
All hands are sanitized
And with such joy
Running contrary-ways
Pulling off the anyways
I jump back around
I'm reversing
I'm reverse running
Falling in the horses feet
All the feelings that you shouldn't see
Animal are burned
Animal are burned
Moving in slow motion
This shit is gonna mess me up
Doesn't mean anything
Hurling headlong
Why would you even ask
I forgot who I am
Snakes uncoiling
Pressed up to the glass
All things you shouldn't ask
But you see through me
It doesn't mean anything
A meaningless plaything
Reverse running
Running contrary-ways
Pulling off the anyways
I'm messing up
Messing up the balance
Breaking my trajectory
All the toys in the factory
While you all lie down
While you all lie down
I'm skipping back through the tapes.
Skipping through the ad breaks.
God in heaven
If it makes you feel energized
All hands are sanitized
And with such joy
Running contrary-ways
Pulling off the anyways
I jump back around
I'm reversing
I'm reverse running
Falling in the horses feet
All the feelings that you shouldn't see
Animal are burned
Animal are burned
Moving in slow motion
This shit is gonna mess me up
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by antihexe, CaliFortune, tkol88
Reverse Running Lyrics as written by Thomas Edward Yorke Michael Balzary
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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Some of these lyrics are wrong. Somebody listen more closely and repost. The end of this song is awesome