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.
Could be clear black and white
Make a decision
Got a need inside and I don't know why
It's a strong feeling that grows and grows
One day, my life is out the door
Next day, you show me what it's for
One day, I think I know myself
Next day, you leave me on the shelf
New moment goes like this
Never forbidden
There's nothing to stop
The thief on time, stealing
The hours that keep you away
It rushes through my veins
Straight to my head
My mind is a planet
For you to roam
This is only just the start
It's the beginning
There's nothing to stop
The thief of time
Stealing the hours
That keep you away
One day, my life is out the door
Next day, you show me what it's for
One day, I think I know myself
Next day, you leave me on the shelf
In this house I call home
Living together
Got a need inside
And I don't know why
It's a strong
Feeling and it grows and grows
One day, my life is out the door
Next day, you show me what it's for
One day, I think I know myself
Next day, you leave me on the shelf
This is only just the start
It's the beginning
New moment goes like this
Never forbidden
Could be clear black and white
Make a decision
Make a decision
Got a need inside and I don't know why
It's a strong feeling that grows and grows
One day, my life is out the door
Next day, you show me what it's for
One day, I think I know myself
Next day, you leave me on the shelf
New moment goes like this
Never forbidden
There's nothing to stop
The thief on time, stealing
The hours that keep you away
It rushes through my veins
Straight to my head
My mind is a planet
For you to roam
This is only just the start
It's the beginning
There's nothing to stop
The thief of time
Stealing the hours
That keep you away
One day, my life is out the door
Next day, you show me what it's for
One day, I think I know myself
Next day, you leave me on the shelf
In this house I call home
Living together
Got a need inside
And I don't know why
It's a strong
Feeling and it grows and grows
One day, my life is out the door
Next day, you show me what it's for
One day, I think I know myself
Next day, you leave me on the shelf
This is only just the start
It's the beginning
New moment goes like this
Never forbidden
Could be clear black and white
Make a decision
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Black and White Lyrics as written by Michael Hutchence Andrew Charles Farriss
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Just a really great melody sung with verve and style. The music is gritty, propulsive and catchy, too. I'm not sure 100% what the lyric concerns, but it's definitely got something to do with our needs and/or desires and the indecision/inability to quench them. Either way, it's a rockin' song that is totally cool