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.
I call on Jesus, but he didn't check his phone today
Oh oh there's my summer girl, I've been wantin' her
I hear she's got a boyfriend
Thought I could leave her for a season but it just got cold
Yeah and it's a lonely hour in my cellphone tower
Broken down transmission
But I'm gonna take you to my boxcar on the beach
And I'm gonna hang the sun above your bed and soak your hair in bleach
[Chorus]
You'll be missed, Miss California
You'll be kissed by only me
When they can't find you
You'll turn into a mystery
But your no mystery to me, Miss California
I call on Jesus but he heard I hurt his little girl
Yeah with my reckless stare, I've been so unfair
Misplacing my affections
She had a reason not to take me back into her care
Oh oh I'm just a stray dog now I can't beg or bow
Just give me some direction
But I'm gonna take you to the mansion where I hide
And I'm gonna paint a diamond on your hand, you will be my bride
[Chorus]
Miss California
I'll be around
I'll be around
You'll be missed, Miss California
You'll be kissed by only me
When they can't find you
You'll turn into a mystery, but not to me
You'll be missed, Miss California
We'll be married in the rain
When they can't find you I'm sure I'll be the one they blame
But they can't prove anything, Miss California
Miss California
I'll be around
(California)
(California)
Oh oh there's my summer girl, I've been wantin' her
I hear she's got a boyfriend
Thought I could leave her for a season but it just got cold
Yeah and it's a lonely hour in my cellphone tower
Broken down transmission
But I'm gonna take you to my boxcar on the beach
And I'm gonna hang the sun above your bed and soak your hair in bleach
[Chorus]
You'll be missed, Miss California
You'll be kissed by only me
When they can't find you
You'll turn into a mystery
But your no mystery to me, Miss California
I call on Jesus but he heard I hurt his little girl
Yeah with my reckless stare, I've been so unfair
Misplacing my affections
She had a reason not to take me back into her care
Oh oh I'm just a stray dog now I can't beg or bow
Just give me some direction
But I'm gonna take you to the mansion where I hide
And I'm gonna paint a diamond on your hand, you will be my bride
[Chorus]
Miss California
I'll be around
I'll be around
You'll be missed, Miss California
You'll be kissed by only me
When they can't find you
You'll turn into a mystery, but not to me
You'll be missed, Miss California
We'll be married in the rain
When they can't find you I'm sure I'll be the one they blame
But they can't prove anything, Miss California
Miss California
I'll be around
(California)
(California)
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The obvious is about a kidnapping but punkkid is right, it's about how serious dating and marriage change people and the responsibilities tied to the relationship. He isn't really bleaching her hair, but remarking that her personality changes after their relationship. She won't really be missing, her old self will be. They'll blame him because, for better or for worse, knowing/dating him changed her. I'm guessing it's for the worse because he uses the word "blame" and he equates her to "Jesus' girl." Notice how he calls her MISS California. She will be missed because, after marriage, she will become Mrs. California.
Or, y'know, he could've raped her.. :P