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.
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Am I wrong
For thinking out the box from where I stay?
Am I wrong
For saying that I choose another way?
I ain't tryna do what everybody else doin'
Just 'cause everybody doin' what they all do
If one thing I know, I'll fall, but I'll grow
I'm walking down this road of mine, this road that I call home
So am I wrong?
For thinking that we could be something for real?
Now am I wrong
For tryna reach the things that I can't see?
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel
Tryna reach the things that I can't see (ooh, ooh, see, see)
Am I trippin'
For having a vision?
My prediction
I'ma be on the top of the world
Walk your walk, and don't look back
Always do what you decide
Don't let them control your life, that's just how I feel, oh whoa
Fight for yours and don't let go
Don't let them compare you, no
Don't worry, you're not alone, that's just how we feel
Am I wrong? (Am I wrong?)
For thinking that we could be something for real?
(Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh)
Now am I wrong? (Am I wrong?)
For tryna reach the things that I can't see?
(Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel
Tryna reach the things that I can't see (ooh, ooh, see, see)
If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong
I don't wanna be right, right
If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong
I don't wanna be right
If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong
I don't wanna be right, right
If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong
I don't wanna be right
Am I wrong?
For thinking that we could be something for real?
Now am I wrong?
For tryna reach the things that I can't see?
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel
Tryna reach the things that I can't see (ooh, ooh, see, see)
So am I wrong? (Am I wrong?)
For thinking that we could be something for real?
(Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh)
Now am I wrong? (Am I wrong?)
For tryna reach the things that I can't see?
(Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel
Tryna reach the things that I can't see (ooh, ooh, see, see)
Ooh, ooh
Am I wrong
For thinking out the box from where I stay?
Am I wrong
For saying that I choose another way?
I ain't tryna do what everybody else doin'
Just 'cause everybody doin' what they all do
If one thing I know, I'll fall, but I'll grow
I'm walking down this road of mine, this road that I call home
So am I wrong?
For thinking that we could be something for real?
Now am I wrong
For tryna reach the things that I can't see?
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel
Tryna reach the things that I can't see (ooh, ooh, see, see)
Am I trippin'
For having a vision?
My prediction
I'ma be on the top of the world
Walk your walk, and don't look back
Always do what you decide
Don't let them control your life, that's just how I feel, oh whoa
Fight for yours and don't let go
Don't let them compare you, no
Don't worry, you're not alone, that's just how we feel
Am I wrong? (Am I wrong?)
For thinking that we could be something for real?
(Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh)
Now am I wrong? (Am I wrong?)
For tryna reach the things that I can't see?
(Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel
Tryna reach the things that I can't see (ooh, ooh, see, see)
If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong
I don't wanna be right, right
If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong
I don't wanna be right
If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong
I don't wanna be right, right
If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong
I don't wanna be right
Am I wrong?
For thinking that we could be something for real?
Now am I wrong?
For tryna reach the things that I can't see?
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel
Tryna reach the things that I can't see (ooh, ooh, see, see)
So am I wrong? (Am I wrong?)
For thinking that we could be something for real?
(Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh)
Now am I wrong? (Am I wrong?)
For tryna reach the things that I can't see?
(Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
But that's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel (ooh, ooh)
That's just how I feel
Tryna reach the things that I can't see (ooh, ooh, see, see)
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I have a strong feeling this is about a gay relationship. "Am I wrong", "that's just how I feel", "Am I wrong to think we could be something for real" are all lyrics that give me this feeling. Also, look at the cover, then the video is them finding each other. I love the song, and with this story in mind, I think it all fits beautifully.