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.
Find your faith in your security
All broken up at seventeen
Jam your brain with broken heroes
Love your masks and adore your failure
We're a mess of eyeliner and spray paint
D.I.Y. destruction on chanel chic
Deny your culture of consumption
This is a culture of destruction
Don't want to see your face
Don't wannt hear your words
Why don't you just
Babes on the run with poisoned lips
Wrap your arms round this everlasting kiss
Clinging to your own sense of waste
All we love is lonely wreckage
Your school your dole and your cheque book dreams
Your clothes your suits and your pension schemes
Now you say you know how we feel
But don't fall in love 'cause we hate you still
Don't want to see your face
Don't wanna hear your words
Why don't you just
Destroyed by madness
Destroyed by madness
Destroyed by madness
Destroyed by madness
Anxiety is freedom
All broken up at seventeen
Jam your brain with broken heroes
Love your masks and adore your failure
We're a mess of eyeliner and spray paint
D.I.Y. destruction on chanel chic
Deny your culture of consumption
This is a culture of destruction
Don't want to see your face
Don't wannt hear your words
Why don't you just
Babes on the run with poisoned lips
Wrap your arms round this everlasting kiss
Clinging to your own sense of waste
All we love is lonely wreckage
Your school your dole and your cheque book dreams
Your clothes your suits and your pension schemes
Now you say you know how we feel
But don't fall in love 'cause we hate you still
Don't want to see your face
Don't wanna hear your words
Why don't you just
Destroyed by madness
Destroyed by madness
Destroyed by madness
Destroyed by madness
Anxiety is freedom
Lyrics submitted by ShiverForMe, edited by manic4manics
Stay Beautiful Lyrics as written by Edwards Bradfield
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
When I first heard this I thought the ending went 'destroyed by manics!' :) Video is gorgeous.