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.
Oh, I think I smell a rat
Oh, I think I smell a rat
All you little kids seem to think you know just where it's at
Oh, I think I smell a rat
Walking down the street carrying a baseball bat
Oh, I think I smell a rat
Oh, I think I smell a rat
Oh, I think I smell a rat
All you little kids seem to think you know just where it's at
Oh, I think I smell a rat
Using your mother and father for a welcome mat
Oh, I think I smell a rat
Yeah
Oh, I think I smell a rat
All you little kids seem to think you know just where it's at
Oh, I think I smell a rat
Walking down the street carrying a baseball bat
Oh, I think I smell a rat
Oh, I think I smell a rat
Oh, I think I smell a rat
All you little kids seem to think you know just where it's at
Oh, I think I smell a rat
Using your mother and father for a welcome mat
Oh, I think I smell a rat
Yeah
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
I Think I Smell a Rat Lyrics as written by Jack White
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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alright, granted the white stripes are not brilliant lyricists. but are these the worst ever, not even close. shit, anyone who listens to classic knows that rock and roll isn't about what's said, but how you say it. there are exceptions, but the white stripes are capturing that old-school flavor when it wasn't supposed to exist anymore. take them for what they are and you'll enjoy them. they've got talent and vision, and they make good music.