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.
Glamour boy
Get your costume on, you got 'em lined up, waitin' for you
Glamour boy
You got 'em standin' in the aisles so don't hang 'em up
For twenty-five thousand dollars you can look like a woman tonight
For twenty-five thousand dollars I think it'll work out right
I think it'll work out, uh-huh
I think it'll work out
Oh, you never know how to write it
Think it'll work out
Glamour boy
You been tops for a while with a million-dollar smile
Glamour boy
You got rave reviews and you're front-page news
For thirty-seven thousand dollars you can look like your sister tonight
For thirty-seven thousand dollars I think it'll work out right
I think it'll work out, uh-huh
I think it'll work out
Oh, you never know how you'll write it
Think it'll work out
So spin with the archer now, and
Laugh in his face as he cocks his bow
Steal from his mistress
As she's makin' love to your family
And be aware, that there's not many there
Who want to take time to sing and play an honest song for the people no more
C'mon, take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight
Don't you want to take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight?
Ladies and gentlemen, a warm space-age welcome, if you will
For the most phenomenal group of the century
Ricky and The Balloons
Glamour boy
You really had your fill and it's all downhill
Glamour boy
You got tales to tell when you see your old friends
For forty-nine thousand dollars you can look like a woman tonight
For forty-nine thousand dollars I think it'll work out right
I think it'll work out, uh-hah
I think it'll work out
Oh, you never know how you'll write it
Think it'll work out
So spin with the archer now, and
Laugh in his face as he cocks his bow
Steal from his mistress
As she's makin' love to your family
And be aware, that there's not many there
Who want to take time to sing and play an honest song for the people no more
C'mon, c'mon, take time to sing and play an honest song for the people no more
Don't you want to take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight?
You can't fool 'em
Take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight
They're gettin' smarter
Take time to sing an honest song for the people tonight
Don't you want to try
And take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight?
C'mon and take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight
Get your costume on, you got 'em lined up, waitin' for you
Glamour boy
You got 'em standin' in the aisles so don't hang 'em up
For twenty-five thousand dollars you can look like a woman tonight
For twenty-five thousand dollars I think it'll work out right
I think it'll work out, uh-huh
I think it'll work out
Oh, you never know how to write it
Think it'll work out
Glamour boy
You been tops for a while with a million-dollar smile
Glamour boy
You got rave reviews and you're front-page news
For thirty-seven thousand dollars you can look like your sister tonight
For thirty-seven thousand dollars I think it'll work out right
I think it'll work out, uh-huh
I think it'll work out
Oh, you never know how you'll write it
Think it'll work out
So spin with the archer now, and
Laugh in his face as he cocks his bow
Steal from his mistress
As she's makin' love to your family
And be aware, that there's not many there
Who want to take time to sing and play an honest song for the people no more
C'mon, take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight
Don't you want to take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight?
Ladies and gentlemen, a warm space-age welcome, if you will
For the most phenomenal group of the century
Ricky and The Balloons
Glamour boy
You really had your fill and it's all downhill
Glamour boy
You got tales to tell when you see your old friends
For forty-nine thousand dollars you can look like a woman tonight
For forty-nine thousand dollars I think it'll work out right
I think it'll work out, uh-hah
I think it'll work out
Oh, you never know how you'll write it
Think it'll work out
So spin with the archer now, and
Laugh in his face as he cocks his bow
Steal from his mistress
As she's makin' love to your family
And be aware, that there's not many there
Who want to take time to sing and play an honest song for the people no more
C'mon, c'mon, take time to sing and play an honest song for the people no more
Don't you want to take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight?
You can't fool 'em
Take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight
They're gettin' smarter
Take time to sing an honest song for the people tonight
Don't you want to try
And take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight?
C'mon and take time to sing and play an honest song for the people tonight
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