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.
You should be afraid of me
Pain is the promise I will keep
I am the whisper in the dark
I am the scream when you fall
And you will feel the pain, you’ll see
And I will bring the pain you need
You keep me alive (so I can hurt you)
You need me inside (I’m what you keep alive)
You picked me up, you watched me shine, like a razor in your hand
And when I cut beneath your skin, you want it all again
I am the call in the night
I am the truth behind your lie
And now you’ll feel the pain, you’ll see
You keep me alive (so I can hurt you)
You need me inside (I’m what you keep alive)
Turning, the knife is turning now
I can’t pay this ransom (my love, my enemy)
Does any hope remain (I’m swimming in your veins)
My love, my enemy (now you can’t escape)
I can feel you in my veins (the pain is on its way)
And now it’s too late (now I’m letting go)
You should’ve run away (I’ll watch you suffocate)
Now you can’t escape
I am the dark and I am awake
(Suffocate)
Waking, the nightmare bleeds, over
I’ll fight you, your darkness, feeding
I keep you alive (so I can hurt you)
I lift the knife (I’m what you keep alive)
Now you can’t escape (suffocate, suffocate)
You will feel the pain (suffocate, suffocate)
Pain is the promise I will keep
I am the whisper in the dark
I am the scream when you fall
And you will feel the pain, you’ll see
And I will bring the pain you need
You keep me alive (so I can hurt you)
You need me inside (I’m what you keep alive)
You picked me up, you watched me shine, like a razor in your hand
And when I cut beneath your skin, you want it all again
I am the call in the night
I am the truth behind your lie
And now you’ll feel the pain, you’ll see
You keep me alive (so I can hurt you)
You need me inside (I’m what you keep alive)
Turning, the knife is turning now
I can’t pay this ransom (my love, my enemy)
Does any hope remain (I’m swimming in your veins)
My love, my enemy (now you can’t escape)
I can feel you in my veins (the pain is on its way)
And now it’s too late (now I’m letting go)
You should’ve run away (I’ll watch you suffocate)
Now you can’t escape
I am the dark and I am awake
(Suffocate)
Waking, the nightmare bleeds, over
I’ll fight you, your darkness, feeding
I keep you alive (so I can hurt you)
I lift the knife (I’m what you keep alive)
Now you can’t escape (suffocate, suffocate)
You will feel the pain (suffocate, suffocate)
Lyrics submitted by i.writer
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!
More Featured Meanings
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
The Spy
Doors, The
Doors, The
Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
Grand Theft Auto
Insane Ian
Insane Ian
The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
I can see where you are coming from @Evanecence2001 but I interpret it differently. This song could be about your inner struggles, be that an addiction, anger, depression, mental illness etc.
That voice in your head that always casts doubt over your thoughts, dampens a bright day.
This is the struggle so many of us face on a daily basis (from teens to adults). It is kept alive because we do not manage it right, or we are not strong enough. We can keep it at bay, but it lingers always deep within us.