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.
Angry youth
Mr. Elite
Your older now
Inside your head lives an old scene
Mr. Punk
Sad and hating everyone
Your excuse is old
The way you felt has left you hating yourself
'Cause everyone is so confused
You never worked for a cent
Self-destructive you pay your debt
'Cause you miss another time
When all your friends were divine
Now all of them have gone or changed
Do you still live in angry days?
But when you've lost someone you love
When your mask is taken off
Does life cut you down to size?
Does it open up your eyes?
Because they all have found their way
As you struggle through your maze
You built those walls of hate
Don't tell me it's too late
Mr. Elite
Your older now
Inside your head lives an old scene
Mr. Punk
Sad and hating everyone
Your excuse is old
The way you felt has left you hating yourself
'Cause everyone is so confused
You never worked for a cent
Self-destructive you pay your debt
'Cause you miss another time
When all your friends were divine
Now all of them have gone or changed
Do you still live in angry days?
But when you've lost someone you love
When your mask is taken off
Does life cut you down to size?
Does it open up your eyes?
Because they all have found their way
As you struggle through your maze
You built those walls of hate
Don't tell me it's too late
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Angry Days Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © COHEN AND COHEN
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its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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To me the song has a double meaning, the two posts above being one, and also the mix of regret and nostalgia thinking about an old friend who you are no longer friends with.
This song reminds me a lot of No Use For A Name's song "A postcard would be nice"
It gives the same message about how you were freinds with someone and they almost disown you after becomning more successful or from recent events.
this song is like almost every song from lagwagon a song where i finf myself in. .... :'(
I love this song, not so much for the music but i think that the lyrics are made really well and very meaningful! im a great fan of punk, if u wanna talk to me about punk please add me to your aol messenger, my screen name is: hamadascar . I also have msn: mbee81@hotmail.com. See you punk fans soon
well so confused me thats why i love this song and the just the style of it it's nice and happy sort of it kind of makes you think about life and stuff thanks lagwagon:)
The first time i listened to this song it made me chicken flesh.Its true,its awesome lyrics.Joey cape at its best!
i think its about bein a teenager and doin the whole depression thing and then growing up and getting over it.
but the person in the song hasnt gotten over it or grown up. hence 'still living in angry days'
Joey is basically saying that eventually everyone has to grow up. You can't live off of the same ideals you had when you were 16 when you're 30.
this could be a big reach but I think its about an ex-skinhead/ex-Neo Nazi scene kid whose stuck in the ideals and ways of the past. he cant accept that may have just been a phase.