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.
I've been so good to you.
Whatever you need, not there from me.
Expecting you to be a remedy, doing what you please.
Still making me sick at the thought of you and me.
I stay with you, then leave you for a week, don't answer calls,
Or hung up on me, I'm by the phone.
And I wish I could breathe,
I'm so good for you but you're so bad for me, yeah.
And it's hard to believe that it's me that you're missing.
Now you're trying to speak and I don't want to listen.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Give me one reason to make it right, yeah.
Anything at all for another try, oh oh.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Almost feel bad for you,
You got my sympathy, I'm sober now.
And I can finally see with clarity,
And yeah I can agree you can take the heat, I'm sorry that I'm weak.
I hate myself for putting up with all your pointless fights.
You were out to cheat, I blocked the phone.
I bet we can agree I've been good for you but you're so bad for me, yeah.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Give me one reason to make it right, yeah.
Anything at all for another try, oh oh.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Cause you're a let down, let down, so we're done.
And it's hard to believe that it's me that you're missing.
Now you're trying to speak and I don't want to listen.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Give me one reason to make it right, yeah.
Anything at all for another try, oh oh.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Whatever you need, not there from me.
Expecting you to be a remedy, doing what you please.
Still making me sick at the thought of you and me.
I stay with you, then leave you for a week, don't answer calls,
Or hung up on me, I'm by the phone.
And I wish I could breathe,
I'm so good for you but you're so bad for me, yeah.
And it's hard to believe that it's me that you're missing.
Now you're trying to speak and I don't want to listen.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Give me one reason to make it right, yeah.
Anything at all for another try, oh oh.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Almost feel bad for you,
You got my sympathy, I'm sober now.
And I can finally see with clarity,
And yeah I can agree you can take the heat, I'm sorry that I'm weak.
I hate myself for putting up with all your pointless fights.
You were out to cheat, I blocked the phone.
I bet we can agree I've been good for you but you're so bad for me, yeah.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Give me one reason to make it right, yeah.
Anything at all for another try, oh oh.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Cause you're a let down, let down, so we're done.
And it's hard to believe that it's me that you're missing.
Now you're trying to speak and I don't want to listen.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Give me one reason to make it right, yeah.
Anything at all for another try, oh oh.
Cause you're a let down, let down.
Lyrics submitted by AdamArtz
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Seems clear this is about a relationship between two people that was doomed from the start. One person was doing their best to be loving & hang in there while the other one was creating drama, playing games and pretending to be in love. Finally the games become too much and this song is about the latter being called out for all their past transgressions.