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.
You got a thing about you
I just can't live without you
I really want you, Elenore, near me
Your looks intoxicate me
Even though your folks hate me
There's no one like you, Elenore, really
Elenore, gee I think you're swell
And you really do me well
You're my pride and joy et cetera
Elenore, can I take the time
To ask you to speak your mind?
Tell me that you love me better
I really think you're groovy
Let's go out to a movie
What do ya say now, Elenore, can we?
They'll turn the lights way down low
Maybe we won't watch the show
I think I love you, Elenore, love me
Elenore, gee I think you're swell
And you really do me well
You're my pride and joy, et cetera
Elenore, can I take the time
To ask you to speak your mind?
Tell me that you love me better
(One more time)
Elenore, gee I think you're swell, ah-hah
Elenore, gee I think you're swell, ah-hah-hah
I just can't live without you
I really want you, Elenore, near me
Your looks intoxicate me
Even though your folks hate me
There's no one like you, Elenore, really
Elenore, gee I think you're swell
And you really do me well
You're my pride and joy et cetera
Elenore, can I take the time
To ask you to speak your mind?
Tell me that you love me better
I really think you're groovy
Let's go out to a movie
What do ya say now, Elenore, can we?
They'll turn the lights way down low
Maybe we won't watch the show
I think I love you, Elenore, love me
Elenore, gee I think you're swell
And you really do me well
You're my pride and joy, et cetera
Elenore, can I take the time
To ask you to speak your mind?
Tell me that you love me better
(One more time)
Elenore, gee I think you're swell, ah-hah
Elenore, gee I think you're swell, ah-hah-hah
Lyrics submitted by MayorMenley
Elenore Lyrics as written by Howard Kaylan Al Nichol
Lyrics © COHEN AND COHEN, Word Collections Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Cute song. One of the band's hits. LUV the word "groovy" in the lyrics. I recall the decade when all of us girls had furry neon feet stickers on our bedroom doors; wore hotpants with chain belts; and worshipped The Monkees. Those were fun times coming on the heels of the radical 60's and Woodstock. It was a time of awakening and rebirth, and it was great to witness the first major changes in society. And they were HUGE (not always positive, but nevertheless fascinating).