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.
Who'll face the tide and take their chances
Will fasten the lights to broken branches?
Adrift on the ocean in wild winter storms
I have to imagine things to keep myself warm
The night closing in, but not to worry
Told everyone I know that I was sorry
But I heard them all singing for comfort and peace
And in my confusion here I still believe
You are the one to make me cry
You were the one to take me home
Of all the people in my life
My thoughts keep returning to you
But consciousness is fading fast
Surrounded by sights that go on living
Make circles in time, the spider web spinning
But I have no illusions of where I am now
I'll let this wave take me and draw me down
You are the one to make me cry
You were the one to take me home
Of all the stories in my life
Only good things return to you
If I could only say the words
If you could hear me cry for help
But I'd lift my head up to the sky
But the planes that were circling now have gone
Will fasten the lights to broken branches?
Adrift on the ocean in wild winter storms
I have to imagine things to keep myself warm
The night closing in, but not to worry
Told everyone I know that I was sorry
But I heard them all singing for comfort and peace
And in my confusion here I still believe
You are the one to make me cry
You were the one to take me home
Of all the people in my life
My thoughts keep returning to you
But consciousness is fading fast
Surrounded by sights that go on living
Make circles in time, the spider web spinning
But I have no illusions of where I am now
I'll let this wave take me and draw me down
You are the one to make me cry
You were the one to take me home
Of all the stories in my life
Only good things return to you
If I could only say the words
If you could hear me cry for help
But I'd lift my head up to the sky
But the planes that were circling now have gone
Lyrics submitted by Loose Tongue
You Are the One to Make Me Cry Lyrics as written by Neil Finn
Lyrics © CHRYSALIS SONGS O/B/O ROUNDHEAD MUSIC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Actually, tvstevie, Neil said at one of the band's shows in Melbourne, Australia last year that the song is about a sportsman who got stranded out at sea and almost died. Might have SEEMED 'quite clear' or 'quite apparent', but you were incorrect.
well, I think you're both on the right track.<br /> <br /> certainly, Neil has mentioned on more than one occasion that this song is loosely based on the near death experience of Robert Hewitt, a diver. but, then, it's doesn't take a genius to get the point that Neil's lyrics have always worked on many levels, that there may be more going on than what meets the eye. <br /> <br /> Tvstevie attributes the viewpoint of the song to Paul Hester, and comments: "I don't know who made Paul cry". <br /> <br /> you were the the one to make me cry<br /> you were the one to take me home<br /> <br /> I actually think this question is clearly answered by looking back at the opening song on the album, entitled "Nobody Wants To", where it seems obvious Neil is trying to come to grips with the loss of Paul:<br /> <br /> are we losing something? <br /> we used to cry, we used to say why<br /> for all I know I might not get home<br /> well, I found out if we opened it up<br /> we could work this out<br /> <br /> <br /> it's my guess that they (Paul and Neil) were both trying to work through their demons. I might guess that Neil is who made Paul cry, but it was also Neil who helped Paul eventually come home. May he rest in peace.<br /> <br /> As to kidheadcase's take on this song, it works only so before you need to open up to the emotion of this ever so perfect song to understand that it ain't so.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />
Correction to Lyrics: Line 3 should be "Will fasten the LINES" not lights, as it is a reference to the diving lines.
Chorus is: "You ARE the one to make me cry" not were. The whole song is in the present tense, the person is currently at sea, thinking about their life.
This song is based on the case of Robert Hewitt, a diver who was lost at sea, and very lucky to survive, and how he hallucinated about his wife and children. The song always makes me think of someone lost at sea, and the rise and fall of the music seems to imitate the waves caused by the currents.
However, as basket said, Neil's lyrics work on many levels.
While this song is from an album dedicated to Paul, it is not one of the songs which puts me in mind of Paul's suicide. That's not to say it is not one of the meanings Neil meant it to have.
Haha, the song "Elephants" just started to play, it has the same kind of feel to it. Up and down to a 3/4 beat.
A close look at the lyrics makes it clear that this song was written from Paul Hester's point of view, Neil Finn imagining what was going inside Paul's mind as he was dying. I don't know who made Paul cry, but other than that, it's quite apparent that in this song Paul is the one who's speaking.