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.
What's this humming in my head
Was it something that someone said
It's connecting us with them
Electric wires turned on again
It aggravates, and it pacifies
Hear the power in the lines
Strung high on every pole
How can this power be bought and sold?
Trying to harness solar rays
Making minutes seem like days
It captivates, and it hypnotizes
Hear the power in the lines
Powerline
Was it something that someone said
It's connecting us with them
Electric wires turned on again
It aggravates, and it pacifies
Hear the power in the lines
Strung high on every pole
How can this power be bought and sold?
Trying to harness solar rays
Making minutes seem like days
It captivates, and it hypnotizes
Hear the power in the lines
Powerline
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I didn't find this song particularly special until a few years after I had owned it.
However, I've come to really appreciate the overall sound of it. Particularly, live, Mould's guitar is muscular. Norton's bass part was always the best part, especially with his use of harmonics on a bass.