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.
I was walkin' down the street
Concentratin' on truckin' right
I heard a dark voice beside of me
And I looked 'round in a state of fright
I saw four faces, one mad, a brother from the gutter
They looked me up and down a bit and turned to each other
I say, I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it
I don't like cricket, no, no, I love it
Don't you walk through my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
Well, he looked down on my silver chain
He said, "I'll give you one dollar"
I said: You've got to be jokin', man
It was a present from me mother
He said, "I like it, I want it, I'll take it off your hands
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You better understand that you're alone"
(A long way from home)
And I say, I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it
I don't like reggae, I love it
Don't you cramp me style
Don't you queer me pitch
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
I hurried back to the swimmin' pool, sinkin' pina colada
I heard a dark voice beside me say
"Would you like somethin' harder?"
She said, "I've got it, you want it
My harvest is the best, and if you try it
You'll like it and wallow in a dreadlock holiday"
And I say, don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her
Don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her
Don't you walk through my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her (dreadlock holiday)
Concentratin' on truckin' right
I heard a dark voice beside of me
And I looked 'round in a state of fright
I saw four faces, one mad, a brother from the gutter
They looked me up and down a bit and turned to each other
I say, I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it
I don't like cricket, no, no, I love it
Don't you walk through my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
Well, he looked down on my silver chain
He said, "I'll give you one dollar"
I said: You've got to be jokin', man
It was a present from me mother
He said, "I like it, I want it, I'll take it off your hands
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You better understand that you're alone"
(A long way from home)
And I say, I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it
I don't like reggae, I love it
Don't you cramp me style
Don't you queer me pitch
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
I hurried back to the swimmin' pool, sinkin' pina colada
I heard a dark voice beside me say
"Would you like somethin' harder?"
She said, "I've got it, you want it
My harvest is the best, and if you try it
You'll like it and wallow in a dreadlock holiday"
And I say, don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her
Don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her
Don't you walk through my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her (dreadlock holiday)
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its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Best reggae song of all time by a white group? I don't know, that's it! Also UB40 and Madness (some of their tunes).