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.
[00:00]
In a burst of spontaneity Nicholson finds himself traveling to the woods for a weekend hike. Time has passed. He's older now, about 35. His life has had many turns; many ups and downs. He's using this time to disconnect from the world and find his rhythm again.
[00:36]
He finds himself on the trailhead full of energy and begins marching down the path. There's a cabin miles away that he's marching towards,
[01:27]
but he's also heading towards something greater. He starts thinking about his long lost dreams he had as a child and the joy they brought him. "How innocent" he thought "…that I thought I could obtain such things." Even the thought of his younger self brought a smile to his face.
[02:34]
He sees this same joy in his son, Jordan, who is now only 3. He's so full of wonder and delight. The world is pure and ripe with adventure for dear Jordan. His life is just beginning.
[03:12]
Nicholson reflects on the day Jordan was born and the foundational shift this young baby had on him. His reality was forever changed. Forever seen through the lens of the bliss of creating a new being. Jordan will always have Nicholson's attention and heart.
[04:33]
This is an interesting thought for Nicholson as he contemplates his relationship with his dad (as he often did). Instead of there being bitter resentment and hatred, Nicholson finally realizes what his father must have felt for him all those years ago. Surely his dad had the same unwavering love for Nicholson. Looking on past mistakes in new light, Nicholson continues his walk next to a river while thinking about how life changes come like the river bends; you can see them coming, but you can't ever imagine what's around the corner.
Nicholson thinks about his wife and the blissful life they’ve created together. She is the woman of his dreams and continues to surprise Nicholson every day. He then, for a moment, recollects his relationship with his mom. She was always his foundation,
especially after his dad died. Surely she was dealing with her own demons, but not once did Nicholson feel at odds with his mother. This moment brings much gratitude as Nicholson considers how his maternal influence has enabled him to prevail over the darkness of life.
[05:30]
In a burst of spontaneity Nicholson finds himself traveling to the woods for a weekend hike. Time has passed. He's older now, about 35. His life has had many turns; many ups and downs. He's using this time to disconnect from the world and find his rhythm again.
[00:36]
He finds himself on the trailhead full of energy and begins marching down the path. There's a cabin miles away that he's marching towards,
[01:27]
but he's also heading towards something greater. He starts thinking about his long lost dreams he had as a child and the joy they brought him. "How innocent" he thought "…that I thought I could obtain such things." Even the thought of his younger self brought a smile to his face.
[02:34]
He sees this same joy in his son, Jordan, who is now only 3. He's so full of wonder and delight. The world is pure and ripe with adventure for dear Jordan. His life is just beginning.
[03:12]
Nicholson reflects on the day Jordan was born and the foundational shift this young baby had on him. His reality was forever changed. Forever seen through the lens of the bliss of creating a new being. Jordan will always have Nicholson's attention and heart.
[04:33]
This is an interesting thought for Nicholson as he contemplates his relationship with his dad (as he often did). Instead of there being bitter resentment and hatred, Nicholson finally realizes what his father must have felt for him all those years ago. Surely his dad had the same unwavering love for Nicholson. Looking on past mistakes in new light, Nicholson continues his walk next to a river while thinking about how life changes come like the river bends; you can see them coming, but you can't ever imagine what's around the corner.
Nicholson thinks about his wife and the blissful life they’ve created together. She is the woman of his dreams and continues to surprise Nicholson every day. He then, for a moment, recollects his relationship with his mom. She was always his foundation,
especially after his dad died. Surely she was dealing with her own demons, but not once did Nicholson feel at odds with his mother. This moment brings much gratitude as Nicholson considers how his maternal influence has enabled him to prevail over the darkness of life.
[05:30]
Lyrics submitted by Octavarium64
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
Siberian Kiss
Glassjaw
Glassjaw
its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
Show Me a Little Shame
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
He certainly did earn that reputation.
The Spy
Doors, The
Doors, The
Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
Battle Royale
Word Alive, The
Word Alive, The
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.