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.
I'm an ocean in your bedroom
Make you feel warm
Make you want to reassume
Now we know it all for sure
I'm a dancehall, dirty break beat
Make the snow fall up from underneath your feet
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'm a meth lab, first rehab
Take it all off and step inside the running cab
There's a love that knows the way
I'm the rainbow in your jail cell
All the memories of everything you've ever smelled
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm an inbred and a pothead
Two legs that you spread inside the tool shed
Now we know it all for sure
I could show you to the free field
Overcome and more will always be revealed
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
There's a match, now let me light it (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm the bloodstain on your shirt sleeve
Coming down and more, coming to believe
Now we know it all for sure
Make the hair stand up on your arm
Teach you how to dance inside the funny farm
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'll be there, tell me when you want to go
Come again, and tell me when you want to go
More will be revealed my friend
Make you feel warm
Make you want to reassume
Now we know it all for sure
I'm a dancehall, dirty break beat
Make the snow fall up from underneath your feet
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'm a meth lab, first rehab
Take it all off and step inside the running cab
There's a love that knows the way
I'm the rainbow in your jail cell
All the memories of everything you've ever smelled
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm an inbred and a pothead
Two legs that you spread inside the tool shed
Now we know it all for sure
I could show you to the free field
Overcome and more will always be revealed
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
There's a match, now let me light it (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm the bloodstain on your shirt sleeve
Coming down and more, coming to believe
Now we know it all for sure
Make the hair stand up on your arm
Teach you how to dance inside the funny farm
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'll be there, tell me when you want to go
Come again, and tell me when you want to go
More will be revealed my friend
Lyrics submitted by on_a_plain_11, edited by ProbeAway
Don't Forget Me Lyrics as written by John Frusciante Michael Balzary
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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While there are some great theories on here about the lyrics, I'm a bit surprised that so many people haven't just googled the meaning. Anthony is on record saying that the song is about a "universal love" that embraces everyone despite their flaws - whether they are a prisoner (I'm the rainbow/in your jail cell), a junkie (I'm a meth lab/first rehab) or suffering from mental illness (teach you how to dance inside the funny farm).
There is something compelling, though, about lyrics that can be given different meanings and genuinely still make sense. I think this works really well as a song sung from the perspective of the ongoing temptation of addiction - "I'll be there, tell me when you want to go"... "There's a match now let me light it". It gives the song a really sinister feel.
It bugs me that such a haunting track is immediately followed by Zephyr Song, which I find a bit bobby and bland.