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.
Say that you'll stay a little
Don't say bye-bye tonight
Say you'll be mine
Just a little bit of love is worth a moment of your time
Knocking on your door just a little
It's so cold outside tonight
Let's get a fire burning
Oh, I know I'll keep it burning right
If you stay, won't you stay, stay?
Save room for my love
Save room for a moment to be with me
Save room for my love, save a little
Save a little for me
Won't you save a little?
Save a little for me, oh
This just might hurt a little
Love hurts sometimes when you do it right
Don't be afraid of a little bit of pain
Pleasure is on the other side
Let down your guard just a little
I'll keep you safe in these arms of mine
Hold on to me, pretty baby
You will see I can be all you need
If you stay, won't you save, save
Save room for my love
Save room for a moment to be with me
Save room for my love, save a little
Save a little for me
Won't you save a little?
Save a little for me, oh
(Pa-ya-pa-pa)
(Pa-ya-pa-pa)
(Pa-ya-pa-pa)
(Da-da-da)
Oh, come on
Make time to live a little
Don't let this moment slip by tonight
You'll never know what you're missing 'til you try
I'll keep you satisfied
If you stay, won't you save, save
Save room for my love
Save room for a moment to be with me
Save room for my love, save a little
Save a little for me
Won't you save a little?
Save a little for me, oh
Save room for my love
Save room for a moment to be with me
Save room for my love
Save a little, save a little for me
Won't you save a little?
Save a little for me, oh
Don't say bye-bye tonight
Say you'll be mine
Just a little bit of love is worth a moment of your time
Knocking on your door just a little
It's so cold outside tonight
Let's get a fire burning
Oh, I know I'll keep it burning right
If you stay, won't you stay, stay?
Save room for my love
Save room for a moment to be with me
Save room for my love, save a little
Save a little for me
Won't you save a little?
Save a little for me, oh
This just might hurt a little
Love hurts sometimes when you do it right
Don't be afraid of a little bit of pain
Pleasure is on the other side
Let down your guard just a little
I'll keep you safe in these arms of mine
Hold on to me, pretty baby
You will see I can be all you need
If you stay, won't you save, save
Save room for my love
Save room for a moment to be with me
Save room for my love, save a little
Save a little for me
Won't you save a little?
Save a little for me, oh
(Pa-ya-pa-pa)
(Pa-ya-pa-pa)
(Pa-ya-pa-pa)
(Da-da-da)
Oh, come on
Make time to live a little
Don't let this moment slip by tonight
You'll never know what you're missing 'til you try
I'll keep you satisfied
If you stay, won't you save, save
Save room for my love
Save room for a moment to be with me
Save room for my love, save a little
Save a little for me
Won't you save a little?
Save a little for me, oh
Save room for my love
Save room for a moment to be with me
Save room for my love
Save a little, save a little for me
Won't you save a little?
Save a little for me, oh
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I really love John Legend, but these song lyrics feel a bit predatory to me. It's ambiguous whether this woman is interested in the narrator at all. Nothing is said about her interest in him or their relationship, so it seems like he's just pushing for her to give something that she doesn't want to give.