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.
Just because you're nobody
It doesn't mean that you're no good
Just because there's a reason
It doesn't mean it's understood
It doesn't make it alright
It doesn't make it alright
It's the worst excuse in the world
And it, it doesn't make it alright
Some people think they're really clever
To smash your head against the wall
Then they say "You got it my way"
They really think they know it all
It doesn't make it alright
It doesn't make it alright
It's the worst excuse in the world
And it, it doesn't make it alright
Just because you're a black boy
Just because you're a white
It doesn't mean you've got to hate him
It doesn't mean you've got to fight
It doesn't make it alright
It doesn't make it alright
It's the worst excuse in the world
And it, it doesn't make it alright
Just because you're nobody
It doesn't mean that you're no good
Just because there's a reason
It doesn't mean it's understood
It doesn't make it alright
It doesn't make it alright
It's the worst excuse in the world
And it, it doesn't make it alright
Some people think they're really clever
To smash your head against the wall
Then they say "You got it my way"
They really think they know it all
It doesn't make it alright
It doesn't make it alright
It's the worst excuse in the world
And it, it doesn't make it alright
Just because you're a black boy
Just because you're a white
It doesn't mean you've got to hate him
It doesn't mean you've got to fight
It doesn't make it alright
It doesn't make it alright
It's the worst excuse in the world
And it, it doesn't make it alright
Just because you're nobody
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Melodic guitars, great bassline, rock-steady vibe, jarring rim-shots, burbling organ in the background, great message...
I love the chords and lead in the instrumental break
Pure Specials. How I miss this kind of music.