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 was walking through a courtyard
Without shoes and without regard
Automatic catacombs
Take me where I wanna go
All around, all in phases
It astounds and amazes
Built to last and known to roam
Touch me on my chromosome
One time
Fascinated by the face of time
One time
I got it to give and now
We're going to make some time
Ultra-fine and altruistic
Can I spy into the mystic?
System's down for infiltration
Open mind free of frustration
I was driving to a safe place
And arriving as I retraced
Yelling through a telescope
Aim it at the star of hope
One time
Fascinated by the face of time
One time
I got it to give and now
We're going to make some time
All over the under
The smell of blood and thunder
I'm connected by the lightning rod
Giving the beauty to it
Heaven knows how well I know you
Ultra-fine and altruistic
Can I spy into the mystic?
System's down for infiltration
Open mind free of frustration
All around, all in phases
It astounds and amazes
Built to last and known to roam
Touch me on my chromosome
One time
Fascinated by the face of time
One time
I got it to give and now
We're going to make some time
All over the under
The smell of blood and thunder
I'm connected by the lightning rod
Giving the beauty to it
Heaven knows how well I know you
Time (time)
Time (time)
Time (time)
Time (time)
Time (time)
Time (time)
Without shoes and without regard
Automatic catacombs
Take me where I wanna go
All around, all in phases
It astounds and amazes
Built to last and known to roam
Touch me on my chromosome
One time
Fascinated by the face of time
One time
I got it to give and now
We're going to make some time
Ultra-fine and altruistic
Can I spy into the mystic?
System's down for infiltration
Open mind free of frustration
I was driving to a safe place
And arriving as I retraced
Yelling through a telescope
Aim it at the star of hope
One time
Fascinated by the face of time
One time
I got it to give and now
We're going to make some time
All over the under
The smell of blood and thunder
I'm connected by the lightning rod
Giving the beauty to it
Heaven knows how well I know you
Ultra-fine and altruistic
Can I spy into the mystic?
System's down for infiltration
Open mind free of frustration
All around, all in phases
It astounds and amazes
Built to last and known to roam
Touch me on my chromosome
One time
Fascinated by the face of time
One time
I got it to give and now
We're going to make some time
All over the under
The smell of blood and thunder
I'm connected by the lightning rod
Giving the beauty to it
Heaven knows how well I know you
Time (time)
Time (time)
Time (time)
Time (time)
Time (time)
Time (time)
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By the Way is their greatest album to date! Lyric-wise is phenomenal and the depth of these songs musically is over the top. The song are played with such passion that I haven't been able to find on another rhcp album. I know a lot would argue that Stadium Arcadium is the best one, but I beg to differ. Yes Stadium Arcadium is obviously a masterpiece but it has something missing which is the great lyrics that were featured on By the Way. Now, I'm With You, I believe that is grand on the scale that is so much bigger than anything they ever done. Musically, the album takes you over a wide range of different musical stylings and the way it is composed and arranged would make anyone's heart melt. But call me old fashion, (not really, I'm only 18), By the Way is still one of the greatest piece of music I ever heard.