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.
Captain America, are you off to fight the bad guys?
Hey, mighty Superman, can you save us from ourselves?
Hey, Mr. Universe, can you lift us up above this?
'Cause I'm just Iron Man, I'm a ghost within a shell
Take a look around
Just look around
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions
Why did they never mention what's real and in between?
It seems the path we're on was paved with blood and sorrow
No thought about tomorrow
Just part of the machine or so it seems
Yeah, so it seems
We're all living the dream
We're all living the dream
Hey there, Your Majesty, is there anyone above you?
It must be lonely when you're up there looking down
Hey, Lady Amnesty, there's no one that can judge you
We're all just broken toys beneath your crooked crown
Take a look around
Just look around
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions
Why did they never mention what's real and in between?
It seems the path we're on was paved with blood and sorrow
No thought about tomorrow
Just part of the machine or so it seems
Yeah, so it seems
We're all living the dream
Take a look around
Just look around
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions
Why did they never mention what's real and in between?
It seems the path we're on was paved with blood and sorrow
No thought about tomorrow
Just part of the machine or so it seems
Yeah, so it seems
We're all living the dream
We're all living the dream
We're all living the dream
Hey, mighty Superman, can you save us from ourselves?
Hey, Mr. Universe, can you lift us up above this?
'Cause I'm just Iron Man, I'm a ghost within a shell
Take a look around
Just look around
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions
Why did they never mention what's real and in between?
It seems the path we're on was paved with blood and sorrow
No thought about tomorrow
Just part of the machine or so it seems
Yeah, so it seems
We're all living the dream
We're all living the dream
Hey there, Your Majesty, is there anyone above you?
It must be lonely when you're up there looking down
Hey, Lady Amnesty, there's no one that can judge you
We're all just broken toys beneath your crooked crown
Take a look around
Just look around
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions
Why did they never mention what's real and in between?
It seems the path we're on was paved with blood and sorrow
No thought about tomorrow
Just part of the machine or so it seems
Yeah, so it seems
We're all living the dream
Take a look around
Just look around
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions
Why did they never mention what's real and in between?
It seems the path we're on was paved with blood and sorrow
No thought about tomorrow
Just part of the machine or so it seems
Yeah, so it seems
We're all living the dream
We're all living the dream
We're all living the dream
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
Living the Dream Lyrics as written by Jason Hook Ivan Moody
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this is about hollow heroes and false idols who are built up to be so much for the public's indulgence but the reality such champions don't exist so much in actual reality.