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.
He's bitter and twisted, he knows what he wants
He wants to be loved and he wants to belong
He wants you to listen, he wants us to weep
And he was a stupid baby who turned into a powerful freak
But how do you?
How do you?
How do you?
He lives with his mother, but we show him respect
He's a dangerous bigot, but we always forget
And he's just like his daddy, 'cause he cheats on his friends
And he steals and he bullies, any way that he can
How do you, how do you, how do you?
He wants to be loved and he wants to belong
He wants you to listen, he wants us to weep
And he was a stupid baby who turned into a powerful freak
But how do you?
How do you?
How do you?
He lives with his mother, but we show him respect
He's a dangerous bigot, but we always forget
And he's just like his daddy, 'cause he cheats on his friends
And he steals and he bullies, any way that he can
How do you, how do you, how do you?
Lyrics submitted by piesupreme
How Do You? Lyrics as written by Edward John O'brien Colin Charles Greenwood
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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He's weak/bad/rude/... but what about you? what about me?