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.
Possessions never meant anything to me
I'm not crazy
Well that's not true, I've got a bed
And a guitar and a dog named Bob who pisses on my floor
That's right, I've got a floor
So what, so what, so what?
I've got
Pockets full of Kleenex and lint and holes
Where everything important to me
Just seems to fall right down my leg
And onto the floor
My closest friend linoleum
Linoleum
Supports my head
Gives me something to believe
That's me on the beach side combing the sand
Metal meter in my hand
Sporting a pocket full of change
That's me on the street with a violin under my chin
Playing with a grin
Singing gibberish
That's me on the back of the bus
That's me in the cell
That's me inside your head
That's me inside your head
That's me inside your head
I'm not crazy
Well that's not true, I've got a bed
And a guitar and a dog named Bob who pisses on my floor
That's right, I've got a floor
So what, so what, so what?
I've got
Pockets full of Kleenex and lint and holes
Where everything important to me
Just seems to fall right down my leg
And onto the floor
My closest friend linoleum
Linoleum
Supports my head
Gives me something to believe
That's me on the beach side combing the sand
Metal meter in my hand
Sporting a pocket full of change
That's me on the street with a violin under my chin
Playing with a grin
Singing gibberish
That's me on the back of the bus
That's me in the cell
That's me inside your head
That's me inside your head
That's me inside your head
Lyrics submitted by Sk{A}narchy_Punk, edited by Quirkel
Linoleum Lyrics as written by Michael John Burkett
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Its about living the life of a bum. In fact its glorifying that lifestyle, not to same degree as say "Freedom Like a Shopping a Shopping Cart", but quite obviously does.
PS: OMG!!! I LOVE THIS SONG!!! NOFX, I LOVE YOU!!! I WANT TO MEET YOU GUYS SOME DAY!!! XOXO