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.
Do you still keep paper flowers in the bottom drawer with your Belgian lace
taking them out every year to watch the colors fade away?
Do you still believe in fairy tales, in battlements of shining castles
safe from the dragons that lie beneath the hill?
Are you still a Russian princess rescued by a gypsy dancer
to anyone who'll listen is that a story you tell?
You live a life of fantasy, your diary romantic fiction.
Can't you see it's hard for me, can you see what I am trying to say?
It's a gentleman's excuse me so I'll take one step to the side.
Can you get it in your head I'm tired of dancing?
For every one step forward we're taking two steps back.
Can you get it in your head I'm tired of dancing?
I know you still like old fashioned waltzes
your reflection in the mirror that you flirt with as you glide across the floor
but if I told you the music's over would you want to hear
that your dance card is empty that there's no-one really there?
Do you still believe in Santa Claus, that there's a millionaire
looking at your front door with a key to a life that you'd never understand?
All I have to offer is the love that I have, it's freely given
you'll see its value when you see what I've tried to say.
It's a gentleman's excuse me so I'll take one step to the side.
Can you get it in your head I'm tired of dancing?
For every one step forward I'm taking two steps back.
Can you get it in your head that from this one step forward
there's no turning back?
Can you get it in your head I'm tired of dancing?
We're finished dancing.
taking them out every year to watch the colors fade away?
Do you still believe in fairy tales, in battlements of shining castles
safe from the dragons that lie beneath the hill?
Are you still a Russian princess rescued by a gypsy dancer
to anyone who'll listen is that a story you tell?
You live a life of fantasy, your diary romantic fiction.
Can't you see it's hard for me, can you see what I am trying to say?
It's a gentleman's excuse me so I'll take one step to the side.
Can you get it in your head I'm tired of dancing?
For every one step forward we're taking two steps back.
Can you get it in your head I'm tired of dancing?
I know you still like old fashioned waltzes
your reflection in the mirror that you flirt with as you glide across the floor
but if I told you the music's over would you want to hear
that your dance card is empty that there's no-one really there?
Do you still believe in Santa Claus, that there's a millionaire
looking at your front door with a key to a life that you'd never understand?
All I have to offer is the love that I have, it's freely given
you'll see its value when you see what I've tried to say.
It's a gentleman's excuse me so I'll take one step to the side.
Can you get it in your head I'm tired of dancing?
For every one step forward I'm taking two steps back.
Can you get it in your head that from this one step forward
there's no turning back?
Can you get it in your head I'm tired of dancing?
We're finished dancing.
Lyrics submitted by N/U/T/T/Y/?
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Glassjaw
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its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
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Ministry
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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.
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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.
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Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
First of all; this isn't by Marillion, but by Fish as a solo artist (album Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors, 1990).
The meaning of the song itself is very self explanatory; it's about a guy who is waiting for a girl who put him in the friend zone, because she is living in a fantasy world.
I agree with LittleC, this song isn't by Marillion, but by Fish as a solo artist.
But on Wikipedia (NL) I read ‘A Gentleman’s Excuse Me’ is the sequel on the famous song Kayleigh by Marillion from 1985. Where Fish (with success tried to get his beloved back, he tells us in ‘A Gentleman’s Excuse Me’ that the relation no longer works after a couple of years trying. It is a definitive goodbye to his once beloved Kayleigh.
That rings true to me.