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.
Do you remember anyone here?
No you don't remember anything at all
I'm sleeping, I'm flat on my back
Never woke up, had no regrets
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
There's a party up there all the time
And they'll party till they drop
Other people can go home
Everybody else can split
I'll be here all the time
No, I can never quit
Take a walk through the land of shadows
Take a walk through the peaceful meadows
Don't look so disappointed
It isn't what you hoped for, is it?
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
I'm stuck here in this seat
I might not stand up
Other people can go home
Other people they will split
I'll be here all the time
No, I can never quit
Everything is very quiet
Everyone has gone to sleep
I'm wide awake on memories
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
No you don't remember anything at all
I'm sleeping, I'm flat on my back
Never woke up, had no regrets
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
There's a party up there all the time
And they'll party till they drop
Other people can go home
Everybody else can split
I'll be here all the time
No, I can never quit
Take a walk through the land of shadows
Take a walk through the peaceful meadows
Don't look so disappointed
It isn't what you hoped for, is it?
There's a party in my mind
And I hope it never stops
I'm stuck here in this seat
I might not stand up
Other people can go home
Other people they will split
I'll be here all the time
No, I can never quit
Everything is very quiet
Everyone has gone to sleep
I'm wide awake on memories
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
These memories can't wait
Lyrics submitted by Chris_Gough
Memories Can't Wait Lyrics as written by Jerry Harrison David Byrne
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I agree with mikeelikes. I see it as only peripherally about death though, more about consciousness. Not to get over pretentious but I always think of "Nausea" by Sartre. Ok, I guess I got over pretentious after all. But anyways it's about the horror of being eternally trapped within one's own consciousness.
OTOH, I also think it could just be about a bad acid trip.