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.
You're tearing me apart
Crushing me inside
You used to lift me up
Now you get me down
If I was to walk away
From you my love
Could I laugh again?
If I walk away from you
And leave my love
Could I laugh again? (Again, again)
You're killing me again
Am I still in your head?
You used to light me up
Now you shut me down
If I was to walk away
From you my love
Could I laugh again?
If I walk away from you
And leave my love
Could I laugh again?
I'm losing you again
Like getting me inside
I used to lift you up
Now I get you down
Without your love
You're tearing me apart
With you close by
You're crushing me inside
Without your love
You're tearing me apart
Without your love
I'm doused in madness
Can't lose this sadness
Can't lose this sadness
Can't lose this sadness
You're tearing me apart
Crushing me inside
Without your love (you used to lift me up)
You're crushing me inside (now you get me down)
With you close by
I'm doused in madness
Can't lose this sadness
It's ripping me apart
It's tearing me apart
It's tearing me apart
I don't know why
It's ripping me apart
It's tearing me apart
It's tearing me apart
I don't know why
I don't know why
I don't know why
I don't know why
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
It's tearing me apart
Crushing me inside
You used to lift me up
Now you get me down
If I was to walk away
From you my love
Could I laugh again?
If I walk away from you
And leave my love
Could I laugh again? (Again, again)
You're killing me again
Am I still in your head?
You used to light me up
Now you shut me down
If I was to walk away
From you my love
Could I laugh again?
If I walk away from you
And leave my love
Could I laugh again?
I'm losing you again
Like getting me inside
I used to lift you up
Now I get you down
Without your love
You're tearing me apart
With you close by
You're crushing me inside
Without your love
You're tearing me apart
Without your love
I'm doused in madness
Can't lose this sadness
Can't lose this sadness
Can't lose this sadness
You're tearing me apart
Crushing me inside
Without your love (you used to lift me up)
You're crushing me inside (now you get me down)
With you close by
I'm doused in madness
Can't lose this sadness
It's ripping me apart
It's tearing me apart
It's tearing me apart
I don't know why
It's ripping me apart
It's tearing me apart
It's tearing me apart
I don't know why
I don't know why
I don't know why
I don't know why
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
Without your love
It's tearing me apart
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!
Definitely one of the best songs on that album..i agree with you Schors, 16 minutes of amazing music..