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.
Oh look at me, so ordinary
No mystery with no great capabilities, but
I could make out as if I had it, but you know
God I'm so obvious and I should let it go
Oh, I don't know
Oh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
Reserved and shy, your average guy
No piercing stare, just out of shape with messy hair, but
I always figured I was somebody and wait
And now I'm guessing that my moment must be late
'Cause I'm here
Oh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
I'm not magnetic or mythical
I'm suburban and typical
But I got it, I got it
I'm overrun with it all
Seductive, charm, a way with words
So effortless not leather clad or dangerous, but
I always did it like a real rebel would
I have a photo where John Lennon may have stood
Or so I'm told
Oh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
No mystery with no great capabilities, but
I could make out as if I had it, but you know
God I'm so obvious and I should let it go
Oh, I don't know
Oh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
Reserved and shy, your average guy
No piercing stare, just out of shape with messy hair, but
I always figured I was somebody and wait
And now I'm guessing that my moment must be late
'Cause I'm here
Oh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
I'm not magnetic or mythical
I'm suburban and typical
But I got it, I got it
I'm overrun with it all
Seductive, charm, a way with words
So effortless not leather clad or dangerous, but
I always did it like a real rebel would
I have a photo where John Lennon may have stood
Or so I'm told
Oh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
Lyrics submitted by MyNameIsJelly9
Teenage Icon Lyrics as written by Freddie Clayton Cowan Arni Hjorvar Arnason
Lyrics © Global Talent Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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On other levels, this can be seen as realizing you're no longer young and have to accept that you're getting old. Also it can be interpreted as a guy realizing he's never going to be the legend he his in his mind.