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.
Oh, the razorblade, that's what I call love
I bet you'd pick it up and mess around with it if I put it down
It gets extremely complicated
Anything to forget everything
You've got to take me out at least once a week
Whether I'm in your arms or I'm at your feet
I know exactly what you're thinking
You won't say it now, but in your heart it's loud
Oh no
My feelings are more important than yours
Oh
Drop dead, I don't care, I won't worry
There you go
Oh, the razor blade, wish it would snap this rope
The world is in your hand or it's at your throat
At times it's not that complicated
Anything to forget everything
He would never talk but he was not shy
She was a street-smart girl but she could not lie
They were perfect for each other
Say it now 'cause in your heart it's loud
Oh no
My feelings are more important than yours
Oh
Drop dead, I don't care, I won't worry
Hey
Sweetheart
Your feelings are more important, of course
Of course
Everyone that wanted everything that we would take from them
I don't wanna know, I don't wanna know
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me
No, don't
Okay
I bet you'd pick it up and mess around with it if I put it down
It gets extremely complicated
Anything to forget everything
You've got to take me out at least once a week
Whether I'm in your arms or I'm at your feet
I know exactly what you're thinking
You won't say it now, but in your heart it's loud
Oh no
My feelings are more important than yours
Oh
Drop dead, I don't care, I won't worry
There you go
Oh, the razor blade, wish it would snap this rope
The world is in your hand or it's at your throat
At times it's not that complicated
Anything to forget everything
He would never talk but he was not shy
She was a street-smart girl but she could not lie
They were perfect for each other
Say it now 'cause in your heart it's loud
Oh no
My feelings are more important than yours
Oh
Drop dead, I don't care, I won't worry
Hey
Sweetheart
Your feelings are more important, of course
Of course
Everyone that wanted everything that we would take from them
I don't wanna know, I don't wanna know
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me
No, don't
Okay
Lyrics submitted by Dont Be A Coconut, edited by DsquareD
Razorblade Lyrics as written by Julian Casablancas
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think it's about a relationship that had it's falling out. I like what Nitty said about how men may try and try and it still seems like there is no salvation or satisfaction.
It's that feeling of unrequited love, where the girl seems to act so indifferent, most especially AFTER the falling out, to where the guy feels like she doesn't care at all. And so he put the words into her mouth, since she won't say them, "My feelings are more important than yours. Oh, drop dead, I don't care. I won't worry..."
Sometimes all we need is an answer, and a straight one at that. But hardly ever will we get it. He's hanging on by that string, and wants to just "cut the rope." So he eggs her on by making her out to be so insensitive, to the point where she finally gives in and decideds to let him have it. At which point he no longer wants to know, because he knows he's about to get the closure he so longed for, when in reality he really wanted to hold on to that little string of hope, because he wanted it to work out.
I enjoy bands that can be cleverly spiteful. So my favourite part has to be where he switches up and says "Sweetheart, your feelings are more important, of course... Of course!" It's such a sharp statement after the rest of the lyrics, figuratively speaking, and the exclamatory "of course!" is just the twist of the knife.
I love it.
I can't believe after 3 pages of comments, only like 2 people have touched upon the proper meaning of this song...
He's drawing comparison between relationships and self-harming. One would imagine the premise is that the pain and suffering involved (in both self-harming and damaged relationships) is exciting and almost part of the fun, thus making it worth it.
You can't read songs line after line when you analyze it. Of course that is how you read but you have to look at the whole picture and THEN get down and dirty with the details. Love what everyone said I just wanna add my own 2 cents. Isn't like girls...kind of aloof and in their own little world..."I'd bet you'd pick it up and mess around with it if you put it down".
This song is so much about how men have to (and to a certain degree) like tending to their ladies. Everything that we do for them, take them out, massages, valentines day, reassuring their confidence, dousing them in our warmth. I mean its like everyday you have to make it special for them. And ya feel kinda jaded sometimes when you come up short and their dissapointed, Even though you try so hard for them! "Your feelings are more important, of course.
My take on the end of the song is that he doesnt' wanna know whatever it is. But of course the girl is persistent and she has to let him know. So go ahead. Tell me, tell me, tell me
No, ..Don't--Okay You have to let the girl win sometimes. Girls are delicate
Never in the entire history of the English language has such little meaning been achieved by so many words. You should really read what you've written before you post.
@Nitty nah bro girls are just right
@Nitty nah that's just mysoginistic thinking
I love that last "of course", and yes there is obvious built to spill influence imo.
The one point that I'm emphatic on.
The lines:
"oh, no my feelings are more important than yours oh, drop dead, i don't care I won't worry"
are not the guy speaking, but instead the guy expressing his opinion about what he believes are the girls hidden feelings. This type of subtle dialog is common stylistic element of stokes songs.
The chorus sounds like the chorus to Mandy by Barry Manilow... honestly it does
IT TOTALLY DOES
Can't un-hear.
Can't un-hear.
So much so I had to say it twice.<br />
i think that this song is about a guy who falls for a really self-destructive girl, she's really controlling and manipulative, selfish, dramatic, she wants and she wants but she never gives back. I think that he's singing from what he thinks she feels, but he still cares and he still wants her even though she's all of that. Which probably reminds him of a true razorblade. Because like a razorblade all she does is make things better temporarily but later you end up regretting it, until you do it again, and you keep doing it cause it helps you feel better. In the same way I think that she might make him feel a little better when she's feeling like it, but in the end just like a true razorblade all she does is cause more harm than good.
im privileged to be the first one to comment on this...its a brilliant song and probably my second favorite of the new songs that i have heard (after you only live once) it reminds me of someday....not really sure why but it seems to have the same feel to it
good song.
Awesome song, im not completely sure but i think he says "Oh the Razorblade thats what i've called love" in the first part...but i dont know, great lyrics though
"got to take me out, at least once a week whether I'm in your arms, or I'm at your feet. I know exactly what you're thinking you won't say it now but in your heart it's love "
sigh :(
Loving the new album.