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 know
You've fallen again
The way I fell before
'Cause I'm a bad loser
When you get your way
And I know that I'll change
I'm chained again
You've lost your way
There's nothing I want today
'Cause I'm a bad habit
One you cannot shake
And I hope that I change
Don't follow me
Don't follow me
So I wont
let the flowers grow
Into the deep below
Oh, would you forget me now?
Still small
Small voice of calm
It's the blame into my arms
'Cause I'm a bad habit
One you cannot shake
Oh, Mary, mercy!
Would you pray for me?
Would you pray for me?
So I wont
Let the flowers grow
Into the deep below
Oh, would you forget me now?
And if I could
Make the days of pain
Wash the stains away
Oh, would you forget me now?
Ah!
'Cause I made my mistakes
And I feel something's changed
And I know what's at stake
Wash the stains away
So I won't
Let the flowers grow
Into the deep below
Oh, would you forget me now?
And if I could
Take the pain away
Wash the stains away
Oh, would you forgive me now?
I made my mistakes
And I feel something's changed
Wash the stains away
And I feel quite okay
You've fallen again
The way I fell before
'Cause I'm a bad loser
When you get your way
And I know that I'll change
I'm chained again
You've lost your way
There's nothing I want today
'Cause I'm a bad habit
One you cannot shake
And I hope that I change
Don't follow me
Don't follow me
So I wont
let the flowers grow
Into the deep below
Oh, would you forget me now?
Still small
Small voice of calm
It's the blame into my arms
'Cause I'm a bad habit
One you cannot shake
Oh, Mary, mercy!
Would you pray for me?
Would you pray for me?
So I wont
Let the flowers grow
Into the deep below
Oh, would you forget me now?
And if I could
Make the days of pain
Wash the stains away
Oh, would you forget me now?
Ah!
'Cause I made my mistakes
And I feel something's changed
And I know what's at stake
Wash the stains away
So I won't
Let the flowers grow
Into the deep below
Oh, would you forget me now?
And if I could
Take the pain away
Wash the stains away
Oh, would you forgive me now?
I made my mistakes
And I feel something's changed
Wash the stains away
And I feel quite okay
Lyrics submitted by fergo93, edited by youwalkaway
Bad Habit Lyrics as written by Edwin Congreave James Smith
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this song is about an on and off relationship (as it becomes a habit, in some way). The person is stuck between knowing that they're no good for the other, but still somehow "chase" the person, a part of them knows "what's at stake" and is now facing their mistakes and by "'cause I'm a bad loser" maybe he means that he can't stand it when the other person decides to walk away and so, there they go again but at some point, he feels like "something's changed and feels quite okay" so maybe is some sort of redemption to find peace within and or being finally at ease with the other one. Nice tune <3
I'm pretty sure this song is about someone falling in love with you, but for reasons related to your self confidence and for their own safety, you don't want them to, mainly because you feel like you would hurt them, etc.
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I like the melody of the lyrics in the chorus. I think that it is one of the most melodic and the most catchy they've ever written. In fact, its bluesy sound and the calling out to God thing made it unlike Foals that we know, but I am liking it. I think they've found a nice balance of style and substance. Watch the CCTV session and you will love this song.
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I thought the singer was singing: <b>"So if I go</b> where the flowers grow, into the deep below. Would you <b>forgive</b> me now.
But I can't find proof. Compiled my thoughts here: farfetching.com/bad-habit.html