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 seem like you're so restless, young at heart
Who gave you reason?
You should be out driving people wild
Who gave you reason?
You got a shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
You're only meant to hurt once in a while
Who gave you reason?
You're only meant to cry once in a while
Who gave you reason?
You got a shock to your system
Pull yourself out of it
I know that shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
You must rely on love once in a while
To give you reason
You must rely on me once in a while
To give you reason
You got a shock to your system
Pull yourself out of it
I know that shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
Who gave you reason?
You should be out driving people wild
Who gave you reason?
You got a shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
You're only meant to hurt once in a while
Who gave you reason?
You're only meant to cry once in a while
Who gave you reason?
You got a shock to your system
Pull yourself out of it
I know that shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
You must rely on love once in a while
To give you reason
You must rely on me once in a while
To give you reason
You got a shock to your system
Pull yourself out of it
I know that shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
Lyrics submitted by llscience, edited by Mellow_Harsher, slider142
Shock to Your System Lyrics as written by Tegan Rain Quin Sara Keirsten Quin
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I seriously love this song.
I think it's maybe about someone right after a break up.