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.
Fifteen minutes to six and fourteen floors to go
Thirteen suited strangers make a crowded elevator slow
And I've got a million words and phases on the tip of my tongue
For the only non-stranger next to me, soon she'll know
(let ?em stare)
If I could
I think I would give in
And let you in on how I feel
I need to spill
Let it all out right now
And expose every inch in front of them
Twelve more floors
And your eyes in mine are all I need to come clean
Or should I wait until the lobby
And spare the lives of some twenty-six nervous eyes
Being occupied by the little red numbers passing by?
If I wait one minute longer
I think I will die
(let ?em stare)
If I could
I think I would give in
And let you in on how I feel
I need to spill
Let it all out right now
Expose every inch in front of them
You help me to feel, see and know why all the while I've been so inquisitive
I can't go back ?cause now I know
How it feels to open up and breathe
Thirteen suited strangers make a crowded elevator slow
And I've got a million words and phases on the tip of my tongue
For the only non-stranger next to me, soon she'll know
(let ?em stare)
If I could
I think I would give in
And let you in on how I feel
I need to spill
Let it all out right now
And expose every inch in front of them
Twelve more floors
And your eyes in mine are all I need to come clean
Or should I wait until the lobby
And spare the lives of some twenty-six nervous eyes
Being occupied by the little red numbers passing by?
If I wait one minute longer
I think I will die
(let ?em stare)
If I could
I think I would give in
And let you in on how I feel
I need to spill
Let it all out right now
Expose every inch in front of them
You help me to feel, see and know why all the while I've been so inquisitive
I can't go back ?cause now I know
How it feels to open up and breathe
Lyrics submitted by Gobsow, edited by piercemonk
Crowded Elevator Lyrics as written by Brandon Boyd Alex Katunich
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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Um...I know it's a couple of years after the fact but this song was released on a cd. The 'When Incubus Attacks Vol. 1' EP. It's a great song, one of my favorite Incubus songs. If anybody is looking for a copy of this OOP EP, I have a mint, opened but unused copy. Contact me.