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.
You're waitin' by the car as I pull in
And this is where the ending begins
Lookin' like you made up your mind
Like anything I say, would be a waste of your time
But it's too little, too late
Too bad that we couldn't save it
Are we really gonna leave this way
Give it all up and drive away
Girl, I swear I wasn't runnin' around
Just got sick of you puttin' me down
And who died and made you queen?
You can't put this all on me
Girl, our love's on the line right now
Should we fight, and turn it around?
I know there's gotta be more to this thing
Than two hearts goin' their separate ways
Red tail lights in the pourin' rain
And baby just roll the window down
I really wanna talk this thing out
And we ain't gonna get nowhere screamin'
But if you believe every word you heard
I'm probably better off, that you're leavin'
Girl, I swear I wasn't runnin' around
Just got sick of you puttin' me down
And who died and made you queen?
You can't put this all on me
Girl, our love's on the line right now
Should we fight, and turn it around?
I know there's gotta be more to this thing
Than two hearts goin' their separate ways
Red tail lights in the pourin' rain
Too little, too late
Too bad that we couldn't save it
Are we really gonna leave this way
Give it all up and drive away
Girl, I swear I wasn't runnin' around
Just got sick of you puttin' me down
And who died and made you queen?
You can't put this all on me
Girl, our love's on the line right now
Should we fight, and turn it around?
I know there's gotta be more to this thing
Than two hearts goin' their separate ways
Red tail lights in the pourin' rain
Too little, too late
Too bad that we couldn't save it
Are we really gonna leave this way
Give it all up and drive away
Too little, just too late
You're waitin' by the car as I pull in
This is where the ending begins
And this is where the ending begins
Lookin' like you made up your mind
Like anything I say, would be a waste of your time
But it's too little, too late
Too bad that we couldn't save it
Are we really gonna leave this way
Give it all up and drive away
Girl, I swear I wasn't runnin' around
Just got sick of you puttin' me down
And who died and made you queen?
You can't put this all on me
Girl, our love's on the line right now
Should we fight, and turn it around?
I know there's gotta be more to this thing
Than two hearts goin' their separate ways
Red tail lights in the pourin' rain
And baby just roll the window down
I really wanna talk this thing out
And we ain't gonna get nowhere screamin'
But if you believe every word you heard
I'm probably better off, that you're leavin'
Girl, I swear I wasn't runnin' around
Just got sick of you puttin' me down
And who died and made you queen?
You can't put this all on me
Girl, our love's on the line right now
Should we fight, and turn it around?
I know there's gotta be more to this thing
Than two hearts goin' their separate ways
Red tail lights in the pourin' rain
Too little, too late
Too bad that we couldn't save it
Are we really gonna leave this way
Give it all up and drive away
Girl, I swear I wasn't runnin' around
Just got sick of you puttin' me down
And who died and made you queen?
You can't put this all on me
Girl, our love's on the line right now
Should we fight, and turn it around?
I know there's gotta be more to this thing
Than two hearts goin' their separate ways
Red tail lights in the pourin' rain
Too little, too late
Too bad that we couldn't save it
Are we really gonna leave this way
Give it all up and drive away
Too little, just too late
You're waitin' by the car as I pull in
This is where the ending begins
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The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Good song!