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.
And I can act like I don’t see
Just who I want to be
But only for so long
And you, you can guess that I would know
Just where I want to go
And I guess that you’d be wrong
Why kill myself to find out who I am
When I really only want to be you
Don’t really see the harm
In lending me your charm
It seemed to make you smile
And I could see how I could lose
Without the things you do
Not even for a while
Why kill myself to find out who I am
When I really only want to be you
Why kill myself to find who I am
When I really only want to be you
Just who I want to be
But only for so long
And you, you can guess that I would know
Just where I want to go
And I guess that you’d be wrong
Why kill myself to find out who I am
When I really only want to be you
Don’t really see the harm
In lending me your charm
It seemed to make you smile
And I could see how I could lose
Without the things you do
Not even for a while
Why kill myself to find out who I am
When I really only want to be you
Why kill myself to find who I am
When I really only want to be you
Lyrics submitted by oitoy
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
Wow.