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.
they never tell you truth is subjective
they only tell you not to lie
they never tell you there's strength in vulnerability
they only tell you not to cry
but I've been living underground
sleeping on the way
and finding something else to say
is like walking on the freeway
they never tell you you don't need to be ashamed
they only tell you to deny
so is it true that only good girls go to heaven?
they only sell you what you buy
and I've been living underground
sleeping on the way
and finding something else to say
is like walking on the freeway
I've been living underground
trying not to burn
and finding something else to learn
at hollywood and western
they only tell you not to lie
they never tell you there's strength in vulnerability
they only tell you not to cry
but I've been living underground
sleeping on the way
and finding something else to say
is like walking on the freeway
they never tell you you don't need to be ashamed
they only tell you to deny
so is it true that only good girls go to heaven?
they only sell you what you buy
and I've been living underground
sleeping on the way
and finding something else to say
is like walking on the freeway
I've been living underground
trying not to burn
and finding something else to learn
at hollywood and western
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The first line - truth is subjective but they tell you don't lie. I think he's talking about truth as in meaning (basically what the song is about searching for meaning in life). Lying implies another interpretation of truth as in making something up as opposed to saying what actually happened.
The line afraid is supposed to be ashamed. I think he's talking about girl's tendency to paint themselves as not sluts because of societal expectations.
Finding something to say he's searching for meaning but he's not finding it just walking on freeway (metaphor).
Great acoustic guitar solo love it when they play the melody. I guess I'm old.
Underground is implying societal expectations perhaps. Or counterculture psycadelic drugs, dropping acid and thinking you are meditating and on to something.
Trying not to burn the word is slang for smoking marijuana. I interpret it as meaning crash like crash and burn.
Gary lives in California and the ending makes me think the lyrics are personal for him.
Changed the lyrics :)