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.
Why I have a choice between the bat or the belt
Each time I hear about the hand you've been dealt
Spare me confessions, it's confession you sell
Maybe I'll fall behind, I don't mind 'cause I'll catch up
Want a song that's indelible, like manimal
I hope you never see me wind up
Will I be happy on the back of the shelf?
Will you be happy when we're sharing a cell?
Spare me the questions since you know me so well
Someday you'll realize I get shy and I choke up
Want a song that's indelible, like manimal
I hope you never see me wind up
What is wrong with this animal?
I'm terrible
I hope you never see me wind up
Farewell, my sweet paramania
Farewell, my sweet paramania
My only promise is that I'll never tell
Keep you at a distance from the things that I felt
I'll bite the bullet, take the beating until
I take it all back anyway
What was I supposed to say?
Want a song that's indelible, like manimal
I hope you never see me wind up
What is wrong with this animal?
I'm terrible
I hope you never see me wind up
Each time I hear about the hand you've been dealt
Spare me confessions, it's confession you sell
Maybe I'll fall behind, I don't mind 'cause I'll catch up
Want a song that's indelible, like manimal
I hope you never see me wind up
Will I be happy on the back of the shelf?
Will you be happy when we're sharing a cell?
Spare me the questions since you know me so well
Someday you'll realize I get shy and I choke up
Want a song that's indelible, like manimal
I hope you never see me wind up
What is wrong with this animal?
I'm terrible
I hope you never see me wind up
Farewell, my sweet paramania
Farewell, my sweet paramania
My only promise is that I'll never tell
Keep you at a distance from the things that I felt
I'll bite the bullet, take the beating until
I take it all back anyway
What was I supposed to say?
Want a song that's indelible, like manimal
I hope you never see me wind up
What is wrong with this animal?
I'm terrible
I hope you never see me wind up
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"I want a song that's indellible like manimal" is probably a reference to the song "Manimal" by The Germs, a band Pat Smear used to be in.
exactly!
Probably?? No question, yer damn straight it's about the Germs song.