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.
Well I know you can't work in fast food all your life
But don't sign that paper tonight
She said "But it's too late"
Then, I don't remember what I read
I don't remember what they said
I guess it doesn't matter
Guess it doesn't matter anymore
'Cause you're gonna go to the record store
You're gonna give 'em all your money
Radio plays what they want you to hear
They tell me it's cool, I just don't believe it
Sell out, with me, oh yea
Sell out, with me tonight
The record company's gonna give me lots of money and
Everything's gonna be alright
No more flipping burgers putting on my silly hat, you know
I don't want that no more
And I didn't ask when we'd get paid
I quit my day job anyway
I guess it doesn't matter
Guess it doesn't matter anymore
'Cause you're gonna go to the record store
You're gonna give 'em all your money
Radio plays what they want you to hear
Tell me it's cool, I just don't believe it
Sell out, with me, oh yea
Sell out with me tonight
The record company's gonna give me lots of money
And everything's gonna be
And I don't think it'll be so bad
And I know it won't be so bad
'Cause the man said "That's the way it is"
And the man said "It don't get better than this"
No, no, no
So I signed on to the record company
They say they're gonna give me lot's of money
If I play what they want you to hear
Tell me it's cool, and I'll sure believe it
Sell out, with me, oh yea
Sell out with me tonight
The record company's gonna give me lots of money
And everything's gonna be alright
Yeah, yeah yeah, yeah yeah
The record company's gonna make everything alright
"Baby, don't you sign that paper tonight" she said
"But I can't work in fast food all my life"
But don't sign that paper tonight
She said "But it's too late"
Then, I don't remember what I read
I don't remember what they said
I guess it doesn't matter
Guess it doesn't matter anymore
'Cause you're gonna go to the record store
You're gonna give 'em all your money
Radio plays what they want you to hear
They tell me it's cool, I just don't believe it
Sell out, with me, oh yea
Sell out, with me tonight
The record company's gonna give me lots of money and
Everything's gonna be alright
No more flipping burgers putting on my silly hat, you know
I don't want that no more
And I didn't ask when we'd get paid
I quit my day job anyway
I guess it doesn't matter
Guess it doesn't matter anymore
'Cause you're gonna go to the record store
You're gonna give 'em all your money
Radio plays what they want you to hear
Tell me it's cool, I just don't believe it
Sell out, with me, oh yea
Sell out with me tonight
The record company's gonna give me lots of money
And everything's gonna be
And I don't think it'll be so bad
And I know it won't be so bad
'Cause the man said "That's the way it is"
And the man said "It don't get better than this"
No, no, no
So I signed on to the record company
They say they're gonna give me lot's of money
If I play what they want you to hear
Tell me it's cool, and I'll sure believe it
Sell out, with me, oh yea
Sell out with me tonight
The record company's gonna give me lots of money
And everything's gonna be alright
Yeah, yeah yeah, yeah yeah
The record company's gonna make everything alright
"Baby, don't you sign that paper tonight" she said
"But I can't work in fast food all my life"
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This song is terrible.