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.
Drivin' on 9
You could be a shadow
Beneath the street light
Behind my home
Drivin' on 9
I sure miss you
Pass a motel
Looking in the blinds
Drivin' on 9
Looking for one thirty
Maybe I passed it
Go another mile
Drivin' on 9
Drivin' on 9
Drivin' on 9
I sure look pretty
Carson City
Walking down the aisle
Drivin' on 9
Does daddy have a shotgun
He said he'd never need one
Go another mile
Drivin' on 9
Drivin' on 9
Looking out my window sill
Wondering if I want you still
Wondering what's mine
Drivin' on 9
Drivin' on 9
Drivin' on 9
You could be a shadow
Beneath the street light
Behind my home
Drivin' on 9
I sure miss you
Pass a motel
Looking in the blinds
Drivin' on 9
Looking for one thirty
Maybe I passed it
Go another mile
Drivin' on 9
Drivin' on 9
Drivin' on 9
I sure look pretty
Carson City
Walking down the aisle
Drivin' on 9
Does daddy have a shotgun
He said he'd never need one
Go another mile
Drivin' on 9
Drivin' on 9
Looking out my window sill
Wondering if I want you still
Wondering what's mine
Drivin' on 9
Drivin' on 9
Drivin' on 9
Lyrics submitted by Nelly, edited by waverider, DanVitaleRocks
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The "Nine" could directly refer to a couple of different roads. Since The Breeders are from Dayton, you can assume it's either Ohio or Indiana (since that state is very close to Dayton). There's an Indiana State Route 9 and an Ohio State Route 9, and both intersect US 30 along their route. The Indiana version is closer and hits a few major towns, but it parallels I-69 for much of its route. Then again, it also provides a decent way of avoiding Indianapolis by heading north on it from I-70. Hard to tell. Maybe it's not a direct reference, but just generally about somewhat aimless driving.
Definitely one of the songs on this album that makes it so damn good. I mean, the fiddle just sort of comes out of nowhere.
The song was written in the late 80's by Dom Leone and performed by ERQ- check the link -oocities.org/soho/5953/erqbio.html. <br /> Not sure exactly where in the Seacoast NH area Dom was living when he wrote it. <br /> And I haven't been to Youngstown. But I've driven through to Pittsburgh. It's a long drive across Pennsylvania and New York and Route 9 (now re-badged NY 7) runs from Troy through Vermont to Keene NH. By the time I get to Albany when going home from Pittsburg I am ready to get off the interstate. Route 7 out of Troy to Route 9 in Bennington heads through the mountains to Brattle boro then to Keene NH where you can stay on Rt9 to Dover or jump on to Rt 101 to head straight east to the coast. Parts of the route are beautiful and lonesome too. Good songwriting territory. <br /> I'll bet you a donut and cup of coffee that Dom drove between Ohio (Youngstown area) and NH more than once. I like to think that he took the scenic route.
@bocmaxima I'm not sure if anyone still looks at this site..anyway, with all of the themes of your girl being pregnant and the possibility of a shotgun wedding in the original lyrics of the song could the "9" being referred to here be the 9 month "road" that this couple could be on leading up to the baby being born instead of an actual road?