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.
There goes my old girlfriend, there's another diamond ring.
And, all those late night promises I guess they don't mean a thing.
So baby, what's the story?
Did you find another man?
Is it easy to sleep in the bed that we made?
When you don't look back I guess the feelings start to fade away.
I used to feel your fire, but now it's cold inside.
And you're back on the street like you didn't miss a beat, yeah.
Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go.
And tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night without thinkin'
Without thinkin' you lost ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me what it takes to let you go. Yeah.
Girl, before I met you I was F.I.N.E. Fine.
But your love made me a prisoner, yeah my heart's been doing time.
You spent me up like money then you hung me out to dry.
It was easy to keep all your lies in disguise.
'Cause you had me in deep with the devil in your eyes.
Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go.
Tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night
Without thinkin' you lost ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Guitar!
Tell me that you're happy that you're on your own. Yeah yeah.
Yeah, tell me that it's better when you're all alone.
Tell me that your body doesn't miss my touch.
Tell me that my lovin' didn't mean that much.
Tell me you ain't dyin' when you're cryin' for me.
Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go.
Tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night
Without thinkin' you lost ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
So tell me who's to blame for thinkin' twice.
No no no no.
'Cause I don't wanna burn in paradise.
I don't I don't I don't wanna burn in paradise.
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go,
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go,
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go,
'Cause I don't wanna burn, 'cause I don't wanna burn, let go
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
And, all those late night promises I guess they don't mean a thing.
So baby, what's the story?
Did you find another man?
Is it easy to sleep in the bed that we made?
When you don't look back I guess the feelings start to fade away.
I used to feel your fire, but now it's cold inside.
And you're back on the street like you didn't miss a beat, yeah.
Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go.
And tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night without thinkin'
Without thinkin' you lost ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me what it takes to let you go. Yeah.
Girl, before I met you I was F.I.N.E. Fine.
But your love made me a prisoner, yeah my heart's been doing time.
You spent me up like money then you hung me out to dry.
It was easy to keep all your lies in disguise.
'Cause you had me in deep with the devil in your eyes.
Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go.
Tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night
Without thinkin' you lost ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Guitar!
Tell me that you're happy that you're on your own. Yeah yeah.
Yeah, tell me that it's better when you're all alone.
Tell me that your body doesn't miss my touch.
Tell me that my lovin' didn't mean that much.
Tell me you ain't dyin' when you're cryin' for me.
Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go.
Tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night
Without thinkin' you lost ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
So tell me who's to blame for thinkin' twice.
No no no no.
'Cause I don't wanna burn in paradise.
I don't I don't I don't wanna burn in paradise.
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go,
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go,
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go,
'Cause I don't wanna burn, 'cause I don't wanna burn, let go
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
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i just saw aerosmith live yesterday, and they played this song. they did an awesome job. i suggest you all go see them live :)