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.
Got to make it to showtime
Nowhere to hide to get down to the pool outside
If the weather is good
Then later have dinner
Then a massage in the room
Try to get some rest in the afternoon
Read a good book
Take a phone off the hook
Meditate for a while
Better outlook getting ready for my new suit
Gotta make it to showtime
Learn how to love myself
'Cause that's bound to help get rid of the self-loathing in Las Vegas
Underneath the Nevada desert night sky
Go to see Bill Medley in the lounge
Feel sad Sam Butera's not around, still good times, though
To be above ground
Don't let nobody bring me down even though my agent is in town
Yeah
Recording studio's only ten minutes away
Try to get down a few new songs to break up the day
Sign an affidavit for the court case I'm involved in
Have to do this just so I can see my kids, pretend everything is alright
Have to make it through the show tonight
Thank God I don't get stage fright
Leave my brothers behind backstage tryna unwind
Get in closer to the showtime
Hit the stage with my smile
I finally made it
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Ain't you glad you made it?
Glad you made it here tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Step right up
Step right up now
Ain't you glad you made it here tonight?
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight
Nowhere to hide to get down to the pool outside
If the weather is good
Then later have dinner
Then a massage in the room
Try to get some rest in the afternoon
Read a good book
Take a phone off the hook
Meditate for a while
Better outlook getting ready for my new suit
Gotta make it to showtime
Learn how to love myself
'Cause that's bound to help get rid of the self-loathing in Las Vegas
Underneath the Nevada desert night sky
Go to see Bill Medley in the lounge
Feel sad Sam Butera's not around, still good times, though
To be above ground
Don't let nobody bring me down even though my agent is in town
Yeah
Recording studio's only ten minutes away
Try to get down a few new songs to break up the day
Sign an affidavit for the court case I'm involved in
Have to do this just so I can see my kids, pretend everything is alright
Have to make it through the show tonight
Thank God I don't get stage fright
Leave my brothers behind backstage tryna unwind
Get in closer to the showtime
Hit the stage with my smile
I finally made it
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Ain't you glad you made it?
Glad you made it here tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas
Step right up
Step right up now
Ain't you glad you made it here tonight?
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight
Lyrics submitted by robertcousins
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