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 tell lies when the truth will do
You are the social chameleon, what on earth we gonna do with you?
Slip your neck into a rope,
Show me a smile
You'd run a mile
Then you are free, so where's the goal?
Where's the style? You want the dough
Got Dead Sea Scrolls for you
And your women too
She's got corpses in her mouth
Still she's holding hands with you
It's cut like crystal chandeliers
I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
She smokes crack, it's off the beaten track
You're the social chameleon,
Yes, you change to suit the people around you
It's like the waves that hit the shore
You cannot stand the force of law
Look man, I know it from your nature
Hit the deck as the creator
Got Dead Sea Scrolls for you
And your women too
She's got corpses in her mouth
Still she's holding hands with you
It's cut like crystal chandeliers
I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
She's got corpses in her mouth
Still she's holding hands with you
It's cut like crystal chandeliers
I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
She's got corpses in her mouth
You are the social chameleon, what on earth we gonna do with you?
Slip your neck into a rope,
Show me a smile
You'd run a mile
Then you are free, so where's the goal?
Where's the style? You want the dough
Got Dead Sea Scrolls for you
And your women too
She's got corpses in her mouth
Still she's holding hands with you
It's cut like crystal chandeliers
I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
She smokes crack, it's off the beaten track
You're the social chameleon,
Yes, you change to suit the people around you
It's like the waves that hit the shore
You cannot stand the force of law
Look man, I know it from your nature
Hit the deck as the creator
Got Dead Sea Scrolls for you
And your women too
She's got corpses in her mouth
Still she's holding hands with you
It's cut like crystal chandeliers
I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
She's got corpses in her mouth
Still she's holding hands with you
It's cut like crystal chandeliers
I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
She's got corpses in her mouth
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Great guitar playing by Aziz
Can't agree more. A beautiful laid-back groove. Understated perfection!