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.
The D.A. is dressed to the nines
In the mirror he practices all his lines
To his closing argument twelve hearts beat in favor
I'm guessing that he read the morning paper
The headline reads: "The man hangs, but the jury doesn't."
And everybody's looking for relief
The United States versus disbelief
Mothers cast tears on both sides of the aisle
From face to wall the body falls like bachelors or bad luck girls
Only breathing with the aid of the knife
Case open, case shut
But you could pay to close it like a casket
Baby boy can't lift his headache head
Isn't it tragic?
He glances at his pew seating seven to twelve stacked
On one to six the gallery is hushed
Boys in three pieces dream of girls' daring and bravado
The city streets in a cell not withstanding what we all know
Hang on the rope of baited breath
Whichever you prefer
And everyone's looking for relief
A bidding war for an old friend's grief
The calls for chique, the calls for charm
Another girl that's not aware but that can make you comprehend
Too well dressed for the witness stand
The best place for whichever headlines run
Case open, case shut
But you could pay to close it like a casket
Baby boy can lift his headache head
Isn't it tragic?
First class suit and tie
I'm desperate
Sing and die
Can talk my way out of anything
The foreman reads the verdict and the above-entitled actions
We find the defendant (guilty)
Case open, case shut
But you could pay to close it like a casket
Baby boy can left his headache head
Isn't it tragic?
Case open, case shut
That you could be the cause of that casket
Baby boy can left his head and he cares
Isn't it tragic?
In the mirror he practices all his lines
To his closing argument twelve hearts beat in favor
I'm guessing that he read the morning paper
The headline reads: "The man hangs, but the jury doesn't."
And everybody's looking for relief
The United States versus disbelief
Mothers cast tears on both sides of the aisle
From face to wall the body falls like bachelors or bad luck girls
Only breathing with the aid of the knife
Case open, case shut
But you could pay to close it like a casket
Baby boy can't lift his headache head
Isn't it tragic?
He glances at his pew seating seven to twelve stacked
On one to six the gallery is hushed
Boys in three pieces dream of girls' daring and bravado
The city streets in a cell not withstanding what we all know
Hang on the rope of baited breath
Whichever you prefer
And everyone's looking for relief
A bidding war for an old friend's grief
The calls for chique, the calls for charm
Another girl that's not aware but that can make you comprehend
Too well dressed for the witness stand
The best place for whichever headlines run
Case open, case shut
But you could pay to close it like a casket
Baby boy can lift his headache head
Isn't it tragic?
First class suit and tie
I'm desperate
Sing and die
Can talk my way out of anything
The foreman reads the verdict and the above-entitled actions
We find the defendant (guilty)
Case open, case shut
But you could pay to close it like a casket
Baby boy can left his headache head
Isn't it tragic?
Case open, case shut
That you could be the cause of that casket
Baby boy can left his head and he cares
Isn't it tragic?
Lyrics submitted by shrodes, edited by Mellow_Harsher, odard, Elitemarshal, nadine1993, FoB12345
You're Crashing, But You're No Wave Lyrics as written by Andrew John Hurley Andrew Hurley
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Definitely not about this, but the song makes me think of the Pee-wee Herman case in 1991. Could be though, because PW had a huge influence on people around the age of FOB's band members.
"I'm guessing he read the morning paper The headline reads 'The Man Hangs'" (Possibly in reference to a very famous article regarding the case, stating Reubens' alter-ego Pee-wee Herman is dead.)
"The verdict falls like bachelors for bad luck girls" (He got caught for indecent exposure in a adult theater.)
Case open, and case shut "But you could pay to close it like a casket" (He pleaded no contest, $75 dollar fine to "close it like a casket" though he maintained his innocence, no longer wanted to go through the trial.) "Baby boy can't lift his headache head" (Pee-wee Herman, perceived as innocent and childlike... which is why people had such a hard time accepting this case.)
Isn't it tragic?
"Boys in three pieces dream of grandstanding and bravado" (Could refer to those who caught him, witnesses, or comedic imitators of PW.)
"Fresh pressed suit and tie" (Though it's what all men wear in court, it's what Pee-wee wore all the time.) "Unimpressed birds sing and die" (Juxtaposition to Pee-wee's innocent world, birds singing, etc.)
"The cause, the kid, the cuff, the charm, and the curse." (Having fame and then losing it, speaks for itself.)
Mothers didn't cry about Pee Wee. They were scared and they were sickened. He had, in their minds, violated their trust. He had recieved accolades for his innocent love of children, and when his non-innocent less-than-private behavior was plastered on every household TV set and over every car radio, he fell from grace faster than it takes a person to exhale. But you are correct in that he was found guilty in the press long before any legal dealings. He was hated and banished because the thought of someone making money off children (and being so near them) then heading out to sex shops for public masturbation was just too much for mothers to accept. Perhaps if it had occurred now rather than 1991 he would not have faced such hated.
WHAT was wrong with that comment! It was the truth. I didn't judge him. In fact, I think he got a more severe punishment than what fit the supposed crime. Geesh!
Thanks for commenting - didn't think anyone would! Yeah obviously I'm a big PWH fan, I thought your comment was just fine!
I don't think it was his 'innocence" that had him avoid trial. Wasn't he caught by a cop? I may be incorrect, but I thought I recall reading that in the news. It's fascinating how he's making a comeback (poor choice of wording perhaps:). I was surprised to see his TV appearances...and the fact that he was dressed in his Pee Wee attire. Shocked, actually. I thought he would need to start fresh to succeed. I guess only time will tell.
Afterthought....You are probably too young to recall what was hitting the news at that time. At least in Florida, gay men were being busted what seemed left and right for having sex in public parks. There was even a big sting in the reststop just across the interestate near my employment; however, there appeared to be a rash of arrests nationwide at that time. I think it had more to do with the gay issue than it did the public exposure issue.
OK...had to research it. Yes, an off duty or undercover officer (probably the latter) made the arrest and three other men were arrested as well. Pee-Wee apparently enjoyed himself twice during the screening of "Nurse Nancy."
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Not nice of me to rate down a comment, but I don't know who you are and I don't know your motivation. Sorry.