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.
Last nights heels
On the morning train
It's a long way back downtown
Ten missed calls
They don't know where you are
It's a long way back downtown
Hey, I was flying
Over the Empire State
When you kissed me
And I crashed again
When did it start?
This feeling so overt
When you're down and out downtown
(Ooh)
Bowery John
(Ooh)
Forgotten but not gone
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Praying at St. Ann's
Bodega roses in my hands
Down and out downtown
And the joker with that funny laugh
Is digging through the basement of my past
It's a long way back down
Down and out downtown
Hey, I was flying
Over the Empire State
When you kissed me
And I crashed again
Ooh
On the morning train
It's a long way back downtown
Ten missed calls
They don't know where you are
It's a long way back downtown
Hey, I was flying
Over the Empire State
When you kissed me
And I crashed again
When did it start?
This feeling so overt
When you're down and out downtown
(Ooh)
Bowery John
(Ooh)
Forgotten but not gone
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Praying at St. Ann's
Bodega roses in my hands
Down and out downtown
And the joker with that funny laugh
Is digging through the basement of my past
It's a long way back down
Down and out downtown
Hey, I was flying
Over the Empire State
When you kissed me
And I crashed again
Ooh
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
Down and Out Downtown Lyrics as written by Annie Clark
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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!