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.
I feel the fear take hold
Reside in darkness, thrive where most won't go
Adrift, I curse this gift
And hope you never know
Feel like a psychotic break comin' on
Snapping two by fours
Punching holes in dry wall
Feel like a psychotic break comin' on
Chalking up my dead friends
And loved ones long gone
I feel the fear take hold
Reside in darkness, thrive where most won't go
Adrift, I curse my gift
And hope you never know
Feel like a psychotic break comin' on
Snapping two by fours
Punching holes in dry wall
Feel like a psychotic break comin' on
Thinking 'bout my dead friends
Whose voices ring on
Reside in darkness, thrive where most won't go
Adrift, I curse this gift
And hope you never know
Feel like a psychotic break comin' on
Snapping two by fours
Punching holes in dry wall
Feel like a psychotic break comin' on
Chalking up my dead friends
And loved ones long gone
I feel the fear take hold
Reside in darkness, thrive where most won't go
Adrift, I curse my gift
And hope you never know
Feel like a psychotic break comin' on
Snapping two by fours
Punching holes in dry wall
Feel like a psychotic break comin' on
Thinking 'bout my dead friends
Whose voices ring on
Lyrics submitted by WhT LytEniN
Psychotic Break Lyrics as written by Jerry Cantrell
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think it\'s fairly simple to figure out - Jerry\'s at the end of his rope, especially after Layne\'s death. Jerry\'s whole life and musical goal was to play the guitar in AIC with the most amazing vocalist he\'d ever known, forever and ever, amen. (he\'s said outright that Layne always will be his favorite singer ever) But when Layne made his intentions known about his impending "slow suicide," Jerry was then forced to become the lead singer he never wanted to be, and embark upon a solo career he never wanted to have. \n\nWhen Layne finally died, Jerry was set "adrift" with his unique gift...but for what? His once band was over now that Layne was gone, so what good was it having that gift? He was so angry and depressed, locked in his house for months, he undoubtedly punched a few 2x4s and put some holes in his drywall out of sheer frustration. \n\nOn top of that, the deaths of friends in the music world, on top of his mother and grandmother, plus no longer having Courtney in his life, plus having to sell his house in order to finance Degradation Trip on his own (Dave Jerden didn\'t work out, apparently), I\'m sure he felt completely out of control, somewhat insane, and about to break. A lesser man would have jumped off a bridge. I\'m just thankful his \'gift\' gave him an outlet to create more amazing--yet incredibly painful--music for us.