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.
What a drag it is these gold lamé jeans
Is this the coolest way to get though your teens?
Well, I cut my hair weird, I read that it was in
I looked like a rooster that was drowned and raised again
What are you gonna do?
Tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you get away?
I'm gonna leave today
I ran into my room and I fell down on my knees
Well I thought that fifteen was gonna be a breeze
I picked up my guitar to blast away the clouds
But somebody in the next room yelled, "You gotta turn that damn thing down"
What are you gonna do?
I'll tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you get away?
Well I'm gonna cry all day
And I know trouble is brewing out there
But I can hardly care
They fight all night about his private secretary
Lipstick stain, blonde hair, oh
What are you gonna do?
Tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you run away?
I'm gonna leave today
But even
I don't know
What I'm gonna do
Don't know what I'm gonna do, no
What are you gonna do?
Tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you run away?
I'm gonna leave today
What are you gonna do?
I'll tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you get away?
Well, I'd rather cry all day
What are you gonna do?
What are you gonna do?
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do (Alice, Alice, Alice, Alice)
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
Is this the coolest way to get though your teens?
Well, I cut my hair weird, I read that it was in
I looked like a rooster that was drowned and raised again
What are you gonna do?
Tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you get away?
I'm gonna leave today
I ran into my room and I fell down on my knees
Well I thought that fifteen was gonna be a breeze
I picked up my guitar to blast away the clouds
But somebody in the next room yelled, "You gotta turn that damn thing down"
What are you gonna do?
I'll tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you get away?
Well I'm gonna cry all day
And I know trouble is brewing out there
But I can hardly care
They fight all night about his private secretary
Lipstick stain, blonde hair, oh
What are you gonna do?
Tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you run away?
I'm gonna leave today
But even
I don't know
What I'm gonna do
Don't know what I'm gonna do, no
What are you gonna do?
Tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you run away?
I'm gonna leave today
What are you gonna do?
I'll tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you get away?
Well, I'd rather cry all day
What are you gonna do?
What are you gonna do?
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do (Alice, Alice, Alice, Alice)
What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Just the hassle of being a teen, great song.
only two responses? this is my favorite cooper song, incredible song,
My fave Al Coop song too. Reminds me of my life, to an extent.
I picked up my guitar To blast away the clouds Somebody in the next room yelled "You gotta turn that damn thing down!"
I cant tell you how many times I have experienced this
There is no song that sums up the teenage experience quite as succinctly as this one. The misguided attempts at keeping up with the trends, adults not letting you express yourself and ruining your fun, confusing parental drama... I'm an adult now but this brings it all back.