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.
If I could walk a straight mile
And could write it down in shorthand, I could show you
If you want me to
And if I had an hourglass
I'd save the grains of time I spent with you
That's what I'd do
But I remember
You always said it could be great
And I knew it could be
Well there's a way you look at things
That no one needs to know but you
And you'd shout it with me
Like every time the leaves would fall
You promised me that they'd be back again
And I believed in you
You always said it could be great
But I hadn't time to waste
Now it seems that I've gone too far
As bright as you are, don't get burned by your lucky star
Bright as you are, don't get burned by your lucky star
Written down in hard bound books
The way things used to be, they ain't for me
I'd swear they're all for you
We said sugar, Gramps said shoot
Her momma said shit, I don't know what she'll do
As if it's up to you
But I remember
You always said it could be great
But I hadn't time to waste
Now it seems that I've gone too far
As bright as you are, don't get burned by your lucky star
Bright as you are, don't get burned by your lucky star
Your lucky star will burn out
Your lucky star can turn you 'round
Your lucky star will burn out
Your lucky star can turn you 'round
Turn you 'round, turn you 'round, turn you 'round
They're gonna turn you around
And could write it down in shorthand, I could show you
If you want me to
And if I had an hourglass
I'd save the grains of time I spent with you
That's what I'd do
But I remember
You always said it could be great
And I knew it could be
Well there's a way you look at things
That no one needs to know but you
And you'd shout it with me
Like every time the leaves would fall
You promised me that they'd be back again
And I believed in you
You always said it could be great
But I hadn't time to waste
Now it seems that I've gone too far
As bright as you are, don't get burned by your lucky star
Bright as you are, don't get burned by your lucky star
Written down in hard bound books
The way things used to be, they ain't for me
I'd swear they're all for you
We said sugar, Gramps said shoot
Her momma said shit, I don't know what she'll do
As if it's up to you
But I remember
You always said it could be great
But I hadn't time to waste
Now it seems that I've gone too far
As bright as you are, don't get burned by your lucky star
Bright as you are, don't get burned by your lucky star
Your lucky star will burn out
Your lucky star can turn you 'round
Your lucky star will burn out
Your lucky star can turn you 'round
Turn you 'round, turn you 'round, turn you 'round
They're gonna turn you around
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?
Step
Ministry
Ministry
Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
"And if I had an hourglass I'd save the grains of time I spent with you That's what I'd do. But I remember you always said it could be great. And I knew It could be. Well there's a way you look at things That no one needs to know but you. And you shared it with me. "
those are arguably my favorite lines from any song, ever.
Again, Robby's a genious.
You're a smart person, but love can make you hostage, so just watch out, don't let the person you love fuck you up...because they are going to change everything.
That's what this song is saying to me.
Eh, I used to love this song a lot... and considered it among my favorites by Goo, just 'cause of the lyrics. I've heard it, though, and,while I don't really like how it sounds terribly much, I will always like this song.
Man my username is based on this song! XD
great song, it's like the robbie's version of "cuz you're gone"
it's obviously about a girl who the singer loved so much, not necesary in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, maybe just afriend; unfortunetely he realized of his feelings too late, so the only thing he can do is wishing his best to his beloved girl.