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.
Hangin' out with Lars down on 6th street he knew that I was in trouble
I was feeling much like the devil
There was something burnin' deep inside of me
Ran into three Puerto Ricans these girls took us to the fun house
Where we played a lonely pinball machine
Hangin' on the corner of 52nd and Broadway
Cars passin' by but none of them seem to go my way
And New York City well I wish I was on a highway
Back to Olympia
I'm having a hard time understanding, it gets all too demanding
She's all gone and I'm stranded
Something burning deep inside of me
All I know it's 4'o'clock and she ain't never showed up
And I watched a thousand people go home from work, yeah
Hangin' on the corner of 52nd and Broadway
Cars passin' by but none of them seem to go my way
And New York City well I wish I was on a highway
Back to Olympia
How many times will it take me before I go crazy?
Before I lose everything?
Something burning deep inside of me
Ran into three Puerto Ricans those girls took us to the fun house
I don't wanna be alone again
Hangin' on the corner of 52nd and Broadway
Cars passin' by but none of them seem to go my way
And New York City well I wish I was on a highway
Back to Olympia
I was feeling much like the devil
There was something burnin' deep inside of me
Ran into three Puerto Ricans these girls took us to the fun house
Where we played a lonely pinball machine
Hangin' on the corner of 52nd and Broadway
Cars passin' by but none of them seem to go my way
And New York City well I wish I was on a highway
Back to Olympia
I'm having a hard time understanding, it gets all too demanding
She's all gone and I'm stranded
Something burning deep inside of me
All I know it's 4'o'clock and she ain't never showed up
And I watched a thousand people go home from work, yeah
Hangin' on the corner of 52nd and Broadway
Cars passin' by but none of them seem to go my way
And New York City well I wish I was on a highway
Back to Olympia
How many times will it take me before I go crazy?
Before I lose everything?
Something burning deep inside of me
Ran into three Puerto Ricans those girls took us to the fun house
I don't wanna be alone again
Hangin' on the corner of 52nd and Broadway
Cars passin' by but none of them seem to go my way
And New York City well I wish I was on a highway
Back to Olympia
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ok ill tell you now NOFX is my favorite band better than any band i have EVER heard and will EVER hear but Rancid are definatly the most talented punk band(not hardcore punk just regualr punk) the only reason it doesnt sound so good is that nofx jsut has that kind of sound you love rancids sound is way to technical(ipaly guitar/bass/drums) so i know this but rancid is OK nothing compared to nofx but they do ahve some kick ass songs and for NOFX i have only heard about two songs i havent liked from them one being a nofx song(i think taht sthe name)its the last song on pump up the valuum and well thats the only one i dont like