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 used to know you when we were young
You were in all my dreams
We sat together in period one
Fridays at 8:15
Now I see face in the strangest places
Movies and magazines
I saw you talkin' to Christopher Walken
On my TV screen
BUt I will wait for you
As long as I need to
And if you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you
I used to work in a record store
Now I work for my dad
Scraping the paint off of hard wood floors
The hours are pretty bad
Sometimes I wonder where you are
Probably in L.A.
That seems to be where everbody else ends up these days
But I will wait for you
As long as I need to
And if you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you
And I will wait for you
As long as I need to
And if you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you
If you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you
You were in all my dreams
We sat together in period one
Fridays at 8:15
Now I see face in the strangest places
Movies and magazines
I saw you talkin' to Christopher Walken
On my TV screen
BUt I will wait for you
As long as I need to
And if you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you
I used to work in a record store
Now I work for my dad
Scraping the paint off of hard wood floors
The hours are pretty bad
Sometimes I wonder where you are
Probably in L.A.
That seems to be where everbody else ends up these days
But I will wait for you
As long as I need to
And if you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you
And I will wait for you
As long as I need to
And if you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you
If you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you
Lyrics submitted by Thunderbolt
Hackensack Lyrics as written by Thelonious Monk Monk Thelonious
Lyrics © THELONIOUS MUSIC CORP.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song is kinda depressing, but I still love it because I think in a way everybody can relate.
It's pretty much about that one girl you've always loved but you've always known you could never have. Even if she wasn't "talkin' to Cristopher Walken" on your TV screen, there was just something ethereal and unique about her that told you there was no chance in hell she'd ever end up with you.
And on that note, I'd like to say to the one I've lost: If you ever get back to Hackensack, I'll be here for you.
I think Walrus man hit it right on the nose. It's about the unattainable girl who you've always loved. I think that's why the Christopher Walken/TV/magazine reference is in there, as well as the "you're probably in LA" reference.<br /> <br /> This song reminds me of the girl I go crazy over still. She's moving to LA this week. And even though we don't live in Hackensack (we don't live far from Hackensack though), if you ever get back to Hackensack, I'll be here for you.
Either Annio is right and the girl works in television OR he is so preoccupied with her that he thinks he sees her everywhere he looks, which is how I read it. Cast your votes now...
This song isn't about anyone in particular, it's about not being able to let something or someone go.
Therefore, I really don't agree with people like Katy Perry who say this is a love song, and sing it like it's a serenade or something. The song should be sang quitly and should give the listener a nostaligic feeling, like Fountains of Wayne performs it.
I really love this song. It's so sad once you understand what it is really about.
To me it seems like he's talking about someone he knew in grade school or high school. He really liked her a lot. She moved off to LA (like everyone else did) and is now famous and on TV and all these "strange places" - strange, because she was a little small towner like him. Seems like everyone else is gone from the town, moving on to (or at least trying to) bigger and better things - LA. And he's the only one left, working for his dad scraping paint. Kind of the sad, pathetic, but really devoted "I'm waiting for you" love song.
Hakensack. - New Jerseyans kick ass hard.
I agree with Walrus man. sort of a sad song when you think about it, but still bloody amazing
I love that the music matches the nostalgic lyrics of the song. I especially feel connected to the song because I grew up in Hackensack :)
I think the whole Hollywood/LA thing is a metaphor.
This song's really good, and its obviously about him in high school liking this girl, and they both had something to do with Hackensack, NJ. Considering they grew up in Wayne, NJ.
i think the song´s all about future and the time after school when you decide what to do with your life. The guy thinks of this girl he knew from school, but it seems he doesn´t look back in anger - sometimes he wonders, an he´ll be here for here. He just does not understand why the hell she went away, because it´s not his way of living. It´s kind of sad, I think- he just takes what´s there for him and lives his life as it comes. He seems to be unconcerned about him and her- if she wants him, he´ll take it, if not, also. Very passive.