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.
It's always around me, all this noise
But not nearly as loud as the voice saying
"Let it happen, let it happen (it's gonna feel so good)
Just let it happen, let it happen"
All this running around
Trying to cover my shadow
A notion growing inside
Now all the others seem shallow
All this running around
Bearing down on my shoulders
I can hear an alarm
Must be morning
I heard about a whirlwind that's comin' 'round
It's gonna carry off all that isn't bound
And when it happens, when it happens (I won't be holdin' on)
So let it happen, let it happen
All this running around
I can't fight it much longer
Something's tryna get out
And it's never been closer
If my take-off fails
Make up some other story
But if I never come back
Tell my mother I'm sorry
I will not vanish and you will not scare me
Try to get through it, try to bounce to it
You were not thinkin' that I will not do it
They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid
Take the next ticket to take the next train
Why would I do it? And you wanna think that
(I will not vanish and you will not scare me)
(Try to get through it, try to bounce to it)
(You were not thinkin' that I will not do it)
(They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid)
(Take the next ticket to take the next train)
(Why would I do it? And you wanna think that)
(I will not vanish and you will not scare me)
(Try to get through it, try to bounce to it)
(You were not thinkin' that I will not do it)
(They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid)
(Take the next ticket to take the next train)
(Why would I do it? And you wanna think that)
Baby, now I'm ready, moving on
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, I'm ready for the moment and the sound
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, baby, now I'm ready, moving on
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, I'm ready for the moment and the sound
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
But not nearly as loud as the voice saying
"Let it happen, let it happen (it's gonna feel so good)
Just let it happen, let it happen"
All this running around
Trying to cover my shadow
A notion growing inside
Now all the others seem shallow
All this running around
Bearing down on my shoulders
I can hear an alarm
Must be morning
I heard about a whirlwind that's comin' 'round
It's gonna carry off all that isn't bound
And when it happens, when it happens (I won't be holdin' on)
So let it happen, let it happen
All this running around
I can't fight it much longer
Something's tryna get out
And it's never been closer
If my take-off fails
Make up some other story
But if I never come back
Tell my mother I'm sorry
I will not vanish and you will not scare me
Try to get through it, try to bounce to it
You were not thinkin' that I will not do it
They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid
Take the next ticket to take the next train
Why would I do it? And you wanna think that
(I will not vanish and you will not scare me)
(Try to get through it, try to bounce to it)
(You were not thinkin' that I will not do it)
(They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid)
(Take the next ticket to take the next train)
(Why would I do it? And you wanna think that)
(I will not vanish and you will not scare me)
(Try to get through it, try to bounce to it)
(You were not thinkin' that I will not do it)
(They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid)
(Take the next ticket to take the next train)
(Why would I do it? And you wanna think that)
Baby, now I'm ready, moving on
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, I'm ready for the moment and the sound
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, baby, now I'm ready, moving on
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, I'm ready for the moment and the sound
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Lyrics submitted by 60_miles_an_hour, edited by FeLKoN, TylerButtpants
Let It Happen Lyrics as written by Kevin Richard Parker
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In the first stanza the "noise" I feel is a representation of one's deeper thoughts and goals. The voice saying 'Let it happen' is the pressure one feels by society to follow the rinse and repeat order. As they see everyone else carrying on their every day life as if it were meant to be.
In the second stanza the running around represents one's every day life work bills rent etc. The ocean growing inside is the angst building up to go and do something outside the societal norm that is set for them. The others seeming shallow is like questioning why don't others feel this way? And then the alarm and morning arriving is like running out of time to sit and dwell it is now time to act.
The third stanza is about giving into wanting to pursue some true meaning in life. And the whirlwind would be the friction caused by others criticizing one for going out of the normal societal pattern. I believe this has heavy relation with 'Currents' itself about the current within each one of us. Our 'angst' that still hasn't been settled.
The fourth stanza is finally going through with leaving and finding what it is one is looking for/what it is they need to feel complete. If one dies 'ticker fails' he doesn't want anyone knowing that he was defeated upon his journey. Also feeling some slight dismay about letting close people down such as one's mother. And if for whatever reason if you find a new life in a different 'place' and an apology in advance in case one doesn't return.
The fifth stanza is a little unclear but it sounds like one is at a crossroads with their lover because they want them to understand but doesn't want to get them caught up in it as well.
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