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.
Reach the city steps tonight
Following the power lines
Met a man barside
With eclipses for eyes
And you tell yourself you wont let them touch
Did I say too much did I say enough
I don't know Sylvia
I don't know Sylvia
Circle round the room still
Breaking my will
Know I can't have you here
Someone else on your skin
And it's all my fault for not getting off
And you made it start, can you make it stop?
You don't know Sylvia
You don't know Sylvia
Damn
Damn
Reach the city steps tonight
Following the power lines
And your skin is so white
Underneath the black night
And your voice calls out for the Coup de grace
When the lights go out will there be a trace?
I don't know Silvia
That I loved, Silvia
That I loved, Silvia
Following the power lines
Met a man barside
With eclipses for eyes
And you tell yourself you wont let them touch
Did I say too much did I say enough
I don't know Sylvia
I don't know Sylvia
Circle round the room still
Breaking my will
Know I can't have you here
Someone else on your skin
And it's all my fault for not getting off
And you made it start, can you make it stop?
You don't know Sylvia
You don't know Sylvia
Damn
Damn
Reach the city steps tonight
Following the power lines
And your skin is so white
Underneath the black night
And your voice calls out for the Coup de grace
When the lights go out will there be a trace?
I don't know Silvia
That I loved, Silvia
That I loved, Silvia
Lyrics submitted by heathereve, edited by adamguy17, Maharajamd, StillWaiting, aaronsc, benjaminikuta
Silvia Lyrics as written by Christian Karlsson Andrew Wyatt Blakemore
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this is about someone who is obviously in (still) love with a girl called Silvia. I know he says "that I loved" also, so maybe they aren't together anymore. He feels jealous when he goes out, remembering she could be with someone else (i can't have you here, someone else on your skin). He feels that they aren't together because of him and his clinginess. ("and its all my fault for not getting off, so you made it stop cant you make it stop") So she broke up but he still wants her. The way he repeats her name so many times is a sign that he is constantly thinking of her. He couldn't go out with her and enjoy her because he was always thinking of other people looking at her and wanting her, and now he is in that same position because he forced her away with how close he tried to be..
So many guys do this. Why won't you learn? If you love something, set it free. If it doesn't return, it never was and wants to be.
i totally agree...and i felt the same way when i listened to this song for the very first time...<br /> i guess that is because i experienced the same position and am still experiencing it...it's never easy to set it free...
i disagree with your last statement. just because someone doesn't want to get back together doesn't mean the never loved the person or did still love them.
In context: "If it doesn't return, it never was [free] and wants to be." It's not real love if you don't have a choice in the matter.<br /> <br /> But enough with that red herring... back to the song!
Are we talking about REAL men who have people in their actual physical lives or men who dream up people and want to play house online? Yeah, there's a difference. And one of those men need to say gone (100% gone) forever...