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.
Why's she telling me the story of her life?
All the things you wanna kill will give you spite
And if you've taken all the prisoners inside
As they're doling out their wisdom in the fire
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I wait
On a darkened highway
I wait
On a darkened highway
I can take as long as her without looking by
Why's she telling me the story of her life?
And if you've taken all the prisoners inside
As they throw in all their wisdom in the fire
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I wait
On a darkened highway
I wait
On a darkened highway
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I wait
On a darkened highway
I wait
On a darkened highway
All the things you wanna kill will give you spite
And if you've taken all the prisoners inside
As they're doling out their wisdom in the fire
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I wait
On a darkened highway
I wait
On a darkened highway
I can take as long as her without looking by
Why's she telling me the story of her life?
And if you've taken all the prisoners inside
As they throw in all their wisdom in the fire
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I wait
On a darkened highway
I wait
On a darkened highway
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I will say
I will say, "Don't judge me"
I wait
On a darkened highway
I wait
On a darkened highway
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by alltaken, onegoodreasonxx, cabacci, IfYouSaySo
50/50 Lyrics as written by Julian Casablancas Fabrizio Moretti
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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"I wait on a darkened highway" stirs a vision of a sillhouetted man on an empty highway, just begging for something to come along his way. That renegade artist who's taking on the world, waiting for someone to show up in his domain. Wanting to prove himself. Waiting to fight. Beautiful imagery there. Subtle mastery of the song-writing process expressed, almost in the background. Songs with such a basic chorus can easily lead one to believe there is not much there at all. But just occasionally, the song proves it is actually riveted with some delicious words. Does Julian dislike judgement even if it's positive? I hope not. I judged the fuck out of him.