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.
Son, you are no island
You don't get to choose what stays and goes
Son, you're not a man yet
Until your yes is yes and nos are nos
Son, you are no mountain
You and the sky aren't seeing eye to eye
Son, you're not a man yet
You're just the firstborn feeling left behind
Son, you are no ocean
No sunken boat pervades your salty boughs
Son, you're not a man yet
You dove to save a child who must be drowned
You drowned to save yourself
You drowned to save yourself
Son, you are no chasm
Your void holds no mystique to be unearthed
Son, you're not a man yet
No woman's arms could carry out your worth
No, not even hers
No, not even hers
Son, you are no river
Your currents don't run steady as she goes
Son, you're not a man yet
You fucked with a woman who would know
I would know (x10)
You don't get to choose what stays and goes
Son, you're not a man yet
Until your yes is yes and nos are nos
Son, you are no mountain
You and the sky aren't seeing eye to eye
Son, you're not a man yet
You're just the firstborn feeling left behind
Son, you are no ocean
No sunken boat pervades your salty boughs
Son, you're not a man yet
You dove to save a child who must be drowned
You drowned to save yourself
You drowned to save yourself
Son, you are no chasm
Your void holds no mystique to be unearthed
Son, you're not a man yet
No woman's arms could carry out your worth
No, not even hers
No, not even hers
Son, you are no river
Your currents don't run steady as she goes
Son, you're not a man yet
You fucked with a woman who would know
I would know (x10)
Lyrics submitted by smallwonderrobot, edited by JMWalz
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He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.
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Techno Ted may be a person who caused Chris incredible emotional pain & trepidation as well as moments of peace & happiness but now is removed and awaiting his fate. Darling may be a different person who is also free of him and can live her life free of Ted's tyranny. "In between all the laughing, and daydreams ... lies: a desert of truth" Lies are like a desert or the omission of Truth: Where there were Lies then Truth was absent. The song, "Techno Ted", may be a cathartic celebration of the downfall of this person.
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Mackenzie said:
That’s my attempt at being omnipotent but still wounded—my attempt at being the voice of God. I was betrayed by someone I cared deeply about and it provoked me in a strange way. My instinct was to be punishing rather than wounding, so that I was in the position of power. So I wanted to make the voice of God sound as androgynous and as punishing as possible—but somehow, strangely comforting.
pitchfork.com/features/interviews/9639-im-drowning-but-im-ok-the-revelations-of-torres-mackenzie-scott/
My theory is that this one is about her brother. Or maybe some boy that did something to her. Again, Mackenzie is pissed!