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.
We need peace in L.A., what happened was wrong
We all feel betrayed, but we got to be strong
If the powers that be let evil go free
You must understand, don't play into their hand
We need peace in L.A., peace in L.A.
Don't need beating and shouting, don't need burning and looting
Tonight we all pray, that our children are safe
There's hurt and frustration, there's a hard realization
But how can we help if we steal from ourselves?
We need peace in L.A., peace in L.A.
We need peace in L.A., peace in L.A.
Stay cool, don't be a fool
Stay cool, don't be a fool
We all feel betrayed, but we got to be strong
If the powers that be let evil go free
You must understand, don't play into their hand
We need peace in L.A., peace in L.A.
Don't need beating and shouting, don't need burning and looting
Tonight we all pray, that our children are safe
There's hurt and frustration, there's a hard realization
But how can we help if we steal from ourselves?
We need peace in L.A., peace in L.A.
We need peace in L.A., peace in L.A.
Stay cool, don't be a fool
Stay cool, don't be a fool
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Peace in L.A. [Peace Mix] Lyrics as written by Tom Petty
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Gone Gator Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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Obviously Tom wrote Peace in L.A. about the 92 California riots and I admire Petty for taking a stand! One of the best songs from Heartbreaker box Playback!