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.
Well painted passion
You rightly suspect
Impersonation
The dumbing down of love
Jaded in anger
Love underwhelms you
No box of chocolates
Whichever way you fall
And if I tell you
Lover alone without love
What will happen
Lover alone without love
And will you listen?
Lover alone without, without love
No, no I'll get this
I want to treat you
You're still not famous
And you haven't struck it rich
Underachieving
'Cause no one's receiving
This tunnel vision
It's turning out all wrong
And if I tell you
Lover alone without love
What will happen
Lover alone without love
And will you listen?
Lover alone without, without love
Music is worthless unless it can
Make a complete stranger
Break down and cry
And if I tell you
Lover alone without love
What will happen
Lover alone without love
And will you listen?
Lover alone without, without love
You rightly suspect
Impersonation
The dumbing down of love
Jaded in anger
Love underwhelms you
No box of chocolates
Whichever way you fall
And if I tell you
Lover alone without love
What will happen
Lover alone without love
And will you listen?
Lover alone without, without love
No, no I'll get this
I want to treat you
You're still not famous
And you haven't struck it rich
Underachieving
'Cause no one's receiving
This tunnel vision
It's turning out all wrong
And if I tell you
Lover alone without love
What will happen
Lover alone without love
And will you listen?
Lover alone without, without love
Music is worthless unless it can
Make a complete stranger
Break down and cry
And if I tell you
Lover alone without love
What will happen
Lover alone without love
And will you listen?
Lover alone without, without love
Lyrics submitted by merchantpierce
The Dumbing Down of Love Lyrics as written by Imogen Jennifer Heap Guy Sigsworth
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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One of those rare songs that you don't just hear, you experience it and it changes something about you. Brings a moment of stark realisation to me everytime I hear this song.