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.
People always tell me how happy I could be,
I'm never gonna find out.
A house in the burbs and a bitchin' SUV is how I'm never gonna wind up.
I didn't know Lennon or King or Kennedy,
but i know one thing, you gotta know yr enemies.
People always tell me how happy I could be,
I'm never gonna find out.
Better to suffer it than live under it.
I'm never gonna be just fine, no way.
I'm never gonna be that guy,
I'm never gonna be just fine,
but there are times i need you to remind me.
I'm never gonna be that guy.
I'm never gonna be just fine.
I never wann say that my best days are behind me.
I never want to be lukewarm again.
If being frightened means that I'll always be aware,
I'm always gonna be scared.
Everybody's got a way of working out the world,
like E is M and C squared
There's Budda and Hohammed and JC and all them,
and I'm ivri (Baruch ata HaShem).
Everybody's got a way of working out the world,
I'm never gonna find out.
Better to suffer it than to live under it.
I'm never gonna be just fine, no way.
I'm never gonna be that guy,
I'm never gonna be just fine,
but there are times I need you to remind me,
I'm never gonna be just fine.
I never wanna say my best days are behind me.
I never wanna be lukewarm again
there is a summer, its all the time, for every one of us.
I'm never gonna find out.
A house in the burbs and a bitchin' SUV is how I'm never gonna wind up.
I didn't know Lennon or King or Kennedy,
but i know one thing, you gotta know yr enemies.
People always tell me how happy I could be,
I'm never gonna find out.
Better to suffer it than live under it.
I'm never gonna be just fine, no way.
I'm never gonna be that guy,
I'm never gonna be just fine,
but there are times i need you to remind me.
I'm never gonna be that guy.
I'm never gonna be just fine.
I never wann say that my best days are behind me.
I never want to be lukewarm again.
If being frightened means that I'll always be aware,
I'm always gonna be scared.
Everybody's got a way of working out the world,
like E is M and C squared
There's Budda and Hohammed and JC and all them,
and I'm ivri (Baruch ata HaShem).
Everybody's got a way of working out the world,
I'm never gonna find out.
Better to suffer it than to live under it.
I'm never gonna be just fine, no way.
I'm never gonna be that guy,
I'm never gonna be just fine,
but there are times I need you to remind me,
I'm never gonna be just fine.
I never wanna say my best days are behind me.
I never wanna be lukewarm again
there is a summer, its all the time, for every one of us.
Lyrics submitted by imbrokn
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
I love one onelinedrawing, but new end is good too. really they are 2 different kinds of music to me. This song seems like its about never being docile with your life, and always pushing to make your days better. Jonah is great, and so are his songs. so uplifitng