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.
TEAM CHORUS
We live in cities you'll never see on screen,
not very pretty, but we sure know how to run free.
Living in ruins of the palace within my dreams,
and you know, we're on each other's team
ROYALS VERSE
I've never seen a diamond in the flesh,
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies,
And I'm not proud of my address,
In a torn-up town, no post code envy
But every song's like gold teeth, grey goose, trippin' in the bathroom
Blood stains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room,
We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams.
But everybody's like Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash.
We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair.
ROYALS CHORUS
And we'll never be royals,
it don't run in our blood,
that kind of luxe just ain't for us,
we crave a different kind of buzz.
Let me be your ruler,
you can call me queen Bee,
and baby I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule,
let me live that fantasy.
TEAM POST-CHORUS
I'm kinda over being told to throw my hands up in the air,
so there.
ORIGINAL 2ND VERSE:
It seems 'getting turnt up's starting mess with ourselves,
because celebrity culture's got us obsessed with ourselves,
we'll all gonna be famous, yeah we all gonna make it,
and it's like all we gotta do is just get drunk or get naked,
I only care about the world when it's not like I like it,
only have an opinion when I know that I can tweet about it,
I don't really care about the world outside my TV,
and I totally would, it's just that I'm so god busy,
with the gold teeth, grey goose, trippin' in the bathroom,
blood stains, ball gowns, trashing the hotel room,
we don't care, we don't care, too busy living like a,
free fall, throw back, lovin' like we little kids,
feel this, show that, happy is as happy did,
because we don't really care about celebrity glory,
because we living every day and no one's writing our story,
TEAM CHORUS
We live in cities you'll never see on screen,
not very pretty, but we sure know how to run free.
Living in ruins of the palace within my dreams,
and you know, we're on each other's team.
We live in cities you'll never see on screen,
not very pretty, but we sure know how to run free.
Living in ruins of the palace within my dreams,
and you know, we're on each other's team
ROYALS VERSE
I've never seen a diamond in the flesh,
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies,
And I'm not proud of my address,
In a torn-up town, no post code envy
But every song's like gold teeth, grey goose, trippin' in the bathroom
Blood stains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room,
We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams.
But everybody's like Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash.
We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair.
ROYALS CHORUS
And we'll never be royals,
it don't run in our blood,
that kind of luxe just ain't for us,
we crave a different kind of buzz.
Let me be your ruler,
you can call me queen Bee,
and baby I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule,
let me live that fantasy.
TEAM POST-CHORUS
I'm kinda over being told to throw my hands up in the air,
so there.
ORIGINAL 2ND VERSE:
It seems 'getting turnt up's starting mess with ourselves,
because celebrity culture's got us obsessed with ourselves,
we'll all gonna be famous, yeah we all gonna make it,
and it's like all we gotta do is just get drunk or get naked,
I only care about the world when it's not like I like it,
only have an opinion when I know that I can tweet about it,
I don't really care about the world outside my TV,
and I totally would, it's just that I'm so god busy,
with the gold teeth, grey goose, trippin' in the bathroom,
blood stains, ball gowns, trashing the hotel room,
we don't care, we don't care, too busy living like a,
free fall, throw back, lovin' like we little kids,
feel this, show that, happy is as happy did,
because we don't really care about celebrity glory,
because we living every day and no one's writing our story,
TEAM CHORUS
We live in cities you'll never see on screen,
not very pretty, but we sure know how to run free.
Living in ruins of the palace within my dreams,
and you know, we're on each other's team.
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Insane Ian
Insane Ian
The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.