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.
The case was pulled from under the bed
She made a call to a sympathetic friend
And made arrangements
The door was closed there was a note
I couldn't be bothered, maybe I'll choke
No more engagements
With where have you been's
And faraway frowns
Trying to be good
By not being 'round
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
That stupid old bug
That kills only love
I want to be good
Is that not enough
So play me the song
That makes it so tough
Another nail for my heart
Then play me that song
That makes it so tough
Another nail for my heart
I had excuses, those little boy lies
That she computed by watching my eyes
And told me firmly
She couldn't stand it, I'm bad on her heart
She dropped her makeup and I found the bar
Now it concerns me
I've had a bad time
Now love is resigned
I've been such a fool
I've loved and goodbyed
So here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
She made a call to a sympathetic friend
And made arrangements
The door was closed there was a note
I couldn't be bothered, maybe I'll choke
No more engagements
With where have you been's
And faraway frowns
Trying to be good
By not being 'round
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
That stupid old bug
That kills only love
I want to be good
Is that not enough
So play me the song
That makes it so tough
Another nail for my heart
Then play me that song
That makes it so tough
Another nail for my heart
I had excuses, those little boy lies
That she computed by watching my eyes
And told me firmly
She couldn't stand it, I'm bad on her heart
She dropped her makeup and I found the bar
Now it concerns me
I've had a bad time
Now love is resigned
I've been such a fool
I've loved and goodbyed
So here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
And here in the bar
The piano man's found
Another nail for my heart
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Ever have a bad day compounded by someone playing a song that reminds you of something else that's bad? That's the kind of day the singer is having here. His girlfriend has left him because he's done something bad to her and so he goes to drown his sorrows in a bar. Unfortunately, the piano player there plays a song he equates with good times in the relationship; this another bad blow to him.