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.
All along it was a fever
A cold sweat, hot headed believer
I threw my hands in the air, and said, "Show me something"
He said, "If you dare, come a little closer"
'Round and around and around and around we go
Oh, now tell me now, tell me now, tell me now you know
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay
It's not much of a life you're living
It's not just something you take, it's given
Round and around and around and around we go
Oh, now tell me now, tell me now, tell me now you know
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
And I want you to stay
Ooh, the reason I hold on
Ooh, 'cause I need this hole gone
Well, funny you're the broken one
But I'm the only one who needed saving
'Cause when you never see the light
It's hard to know which one of us is caving
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay
Stay
I want you to stay
Ooh
A cold sweat, hot headed believer
I threw my hands in the air, and said, "Show me something"
He said, "If you dare, come a little closer"
'Round and around and around and around we go
Oh, now tell me now, tell me now, tell me now you know
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay
It's not much of a life you're living
It's not just something you take, it's given
Round and around and around and around we go
Oh, now tell me now, tell me now, tell me now you know
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
And I want you to stay
Ooh, the reason I hold on
Ooh, 'cause I need this hole gone
Well, funny you're the broken one
But I'm the only one who needed saving
'Cause when you never see the light
It's hard to know which one of us is caving
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay
Stay
I want you to stay
Ooh
Lyrics submitted by thrwmyhrtawy., edited by liatard, Paymaan, iris003, mike, Afry121301, EarlonCady
Stay Lyrics as written by Justin Parker John Stephen Sudduth
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I feel like this song could be a direct commentary on Rihanna's relationship with Chris Brown. She's stuck in an abusive relationship but she's so co-dependent upon him that she can't disentangle herself. She knows that she shouldn't be in it but without him, there's a hole that can't be filled. And she realizes that although he's the one who's effed up, he seems fine with it and she's the only one struggling to be happy/healthy. I think this is beautiful song and very profound for her. I also love Mikky Ekko's voice.
@PhoebeQ Rhianna didn't write the song so it's doubtful it's about Chris Brown, btu I believe she choose to sing it because of her relationship with him.