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 can't read and I can't write down
I don't know a book from countdown
I don't know which shadow gets me
All I've got is someone's face
Can I see the family smile?
Can I reach tomorrow?
Can I walk a missing mile?
Can I feel?
Can I please?
I can't reach it anymore
I just sit back and ignore
I just can't seem to get it right
I can't reach it, I can't reach it
Money goes to money heaven
Bodies go to body hell
I sit back and catch the chase
Switch the channel, watch the police car
I can't reach it anymore
I just sit back and ignore
I just can't seem to get it right, get it right
I can't reach it, I can't reach it
I don't know a book from countdown
I don't know which shadow gets me
All I've got is someone's face
Can I see the family smile?
Can I reach tomorrow?
Can I walk a missing mile?
Can I feel?
Can I please?
I can't reach it anymore
I just sit back and ignore
I just can't seem to get it right
I can't reach it, I can't reach it
Money goes to money heaven
Bodies go to body hell
I sit back and catch the chase
Switch the channel, watch the police car
I can't reach it anymore
I just sit back and ignore
I just can't seem to get it right, get it right
I can't reach it, I can't reach it
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
I Can't Read '97 Lyrics as written by Reeves C Gabrels David Bowie
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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I think this song still stands true today. You can't take anything at face value, there is always a motive, always a political angle.