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.
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I'll join the army, the Salvation Army but it didn't help
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I joined the army, but it drove me barmy and it didn't help
Hideous towns make me throw up
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I went into service with the Civil Service but it didn't help
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I went into service but it made me nervous and it didn't help
Ooh, hideous towns made me throw up
And sticks and stones may break my bones
But words will just finish me off, yeah near enough
Oh oh, my hopeless youth it's so uncouth
And oh, I'd like to be in history
I said oh in my hopeless youth just so uncouth
So there you go and now you know
But just please don't
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I went to the circus, Piccadilly Circus, it was very strange
Don't ask me why, 'cause I don't know why
Never one to roam, I took the first bus home, and I haven't changed
Ooh, hideous towns made me throw up
And I know sticks and stones may break my bones
But words will just finish me off, yeah near enough
Yes they do
Said oh, my hopeless youth it's so uncouth
Said oh, and I'd like to be in history
Said oh in my, hopeless youth it's just so uncouth
So there you go, and now you know
But just please don't.... please, please, please
Said oh, yeah my hopeless youth just so, damn, oh oh
Yeah my hopeless youth is really very young
Just really very young
I'll join the army, the Salvation Army but it didn't help
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I joined the army, but it drove me barmy and it didn't help
Hideous towns make me throw up
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I went into service with the Civil Service but it didn't help
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I went into service but it made me nervous and it didn't help
Ooh, hideous towns made me throw up
And sticks and stones may break my bones
But words will just finish me off, yeah near enough
Oh oh, my hopeless youth it's so uncouth
And oh, I'd like to be in history
I said oh in my hopeless youth just so uncouth
So there you go and now you know
But just please don't
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I went to the circus, Piccadilly Circus, it was very strange
Don't ask me why, 'cause I don't know why
Never one to roam, I took the first bus home, and I haven't changed
Ooh, hideous towns made me throw up
And I know sticks and stones may break my bones
But words will just finish me off, yeah near enough
Yes they do
Said oh, my hopeless youth it's so uncouth
Said oh, and I'd like to be in history
Said oh in my, hopeless youth it's just so uncouth
So there you go, and now you know
But just please don't.... please, please, please
Said oh, yeah my hopeless youth just so, damn, oh oh
Yeah my hopeless youth is really very young
Just really very young
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Hideous Towns Lyrics as written by Harriet Wheeler David Gavurin
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I love this song. Might be my personal favorite from a fabulous album. Harriet's vocals are so very playful and endearing. She's the best.