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.
Haven't we met?
You're some kind of beautiful stranger
You could be good for me
I've had the taste for danger
If I'm smart then I'll run away
But I'm not so I guess I'll stay
Heaven forbid
I'll take my chance on a beautiful stranger
I looked into your eyes
And my world came tumblin' down
You're the devil in disguise
That's why I'm singin' this song
To know you
Is to love you
You're everywhere I go
And everybody knows
To love you
Is to be part of you
I paid for you with tears
And swallowed all my pride
Da-da-da-da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da-da, da
Beautiful stranger
Da-da-da-da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da-da, da
Beautiful stranger
If I'm smart then I'll run away
But I'm not so I guess I'll stay
Haven't you heard?
I fell in love with a beautiful stranger
I looked into your face
My heart was dancing all over the place
I'd like to change my point of view
If I could just forget about you
To know you
Is to love you
You're everywhere I go
And everybody knows
I looked into your eyes
And my world came tumblin' down
You're the devil in disguise
That's why I'm singing this song to you
To know you
Is to love you
You're everywhere I go
And everybody knows
I paid for you with tears
And swallowed my pride
Da-da-da-da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da-da, da
Beautiful stranger
Da-da-da-da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da-da, da
Beautiful stranger
You're some kind of beautiful stranger
You could be good for me
I've had the taste for danger
If I'm smart then I'll run away
But I'm not so I guess I'll stay
Heaven forbid
I'll take my chance on a beautiful stranger
I looked into your eyes
And my world came tumblin' down
You're the devil in disguise
That's why I'm singin' this song
To know you
Is to love you
You're everywhere I go
And everybody knows
To love you
Is to be part of you
I paid for you with tears
And swallowed all my pride
Da-da-da-da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da-da, da
Beautiful stranger
Da-da-da-da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da-da, da
Beautiful stranger
If I'm smart then I'll run away
But I'm not so I guess I'll stay
Haven't you heard?
I fell in love with a beautiful stranger
I looked into your face
My heart was dancing all over the place
I'd like to change my point of view
If I could just forget about you
To know you
Is to love you
You're everywhere I go
And everybody knows
I looked into your eyes
And my world came tumblin' down
You're the devil in disguise
That's why I'm singing this song to you
To know you
Is to love you
You're everywhere I go
And everybody knows
I paid for you with tears
And swallowed my pride
Da-da-da-da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da-da, da
Beautiful stranger
Da-da-da-da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da-da, da
Beautiful stranger
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
Siberian Kiss
Glassjaw
Glassjaw
its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
Spirit Within
Bertoldi Brothers
Bertoldi Brothers
Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
its about one night stands in way too i think