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.
How many times
Can I push it aside
Is it time I befriended all the ghosts of all the things that haunt me most
So they leave me alone
Move on with my life
Be certain the steps of left and right don't fight the direction of upright
I'd rather forget and not slow down
Than gather regret for the things I can't change now
If I become what I can't accept
Resurrect the saint from within the wretch
Pour over me and wash my hands of it
It's time to decide
Which is out of my mind
Cause it'll be me unless I put some thoughts to rest and leave some faults behind
I'll watch the glint in my eye
Shine off the spring in my step
And could be blinding depending on the amount of you that I reflect
Cause I could spend my life just trying to sift through
What I could've done better but what good do what ifs do
Oh oh
Oh oh
There's something I should tell you now
I Don't Need A Soul
I listen to the sirens as they sing me back to sleep
I pray that no one's seriously hurt
It feels like everything is dying at the pivot point of me
I listen to the sirens tell me things could still be worse
'Cause if you close your eyes and listen close
You can hear the chapter close
And its all rebound in better clothes
And you like the way this story goes
'Cause the sun still burns the shadows out
And there's nothing to complain about now
'Cause if this was our destiny I'd treasure the fact
And I'd give you whats left of me if I'd held back
But I don't need a soul
No I don't need a soul to hold
Without you I'm still whole
You and life remain beautiful
Departing from the hospital
Ill news shows on your face too well
You're trying not to cough at all it hurts
All options are exhausted all your numbered days are numbered small
I miss you now
I loved you
And I know things could still be worse
Can I push it aside
Is it time I befriended all the ghosts of all the things that haunt me most
So they leave me alone
Move on with my life
Be certain the steps of left and right don't fight the direction of upright
I'd rather forget and not slow down
Than gather regret for the things I can't change now
If I become what I can't accept
Resurrect the saint from within the wretch
Pour over me and wash my hands of it
It's time to decide
Which is out of my mind
Cause it'll be me unless I put some thoughts to rest and leave some faults behind
I'll watch the glint in my eye
Shine off the spring in my step
And could be blinding depending on the amount of you that I reflect
Cause I could spend my life just trying to sift through
What I could've done better but what good do what ifs do
Oh oh
Oh oh
There's something I should tell you now
I Don't Need A Soul
I listen to the sirens as they sing me back to sleep
I pray that no one's seriously hurt
It feels like everything is dying at the pivot point of me
I listen to the sirens tell me things could still be worse
'Cause if you close your eyes and listen close
You can hear the chapter close
And its all rebound in better clothes
And you like the way this story goes
'Cause the sun still burns the shadows out
And there's nothing to complain about now
'Cause if this was our destiny I'd treasure the fact
And I'd give you whats left of me if I'd held back
But I don't need a soul
No I don't need a soul to hold
Without you I'm still whole
You and life remain beautiful
Departing from the hospital
Ill news shows on your face too well
You're trying not to cough at all it hurts
All options are exhausted all your numbered days are numbered small
I miss you now
I loved you
And I know things could still be worse
Lyrics submitted by rkfanatic101, edited by Skoobasteve24
Forget and Not Slow Down Lyrics as written by Matthew Thiessen
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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!
Brilliant song like always. I love the lines, "Cause I could spend my life just trying to sift through What I could've done better but what good do what ifs do"
^ That right there is the problem I have with a situation like this. Even if he didn't, the man IS capable of the act. You know why? Everyone is capable of cheating. No one is exempt. It's easy to stand outside and throw rocks at glass houses, but to make comments like this one from earlier bothers me:
"I can't believe it."
Yes you can. It's one thing to state an opinion and say you DON'T believe it, but to say you CAN'T? I'm not trying to sound like some cynical adult, but there are far too many young people who put strenuous amounts of faith in rock stars/celebrities. Yes, the guy is a christian and believes in God. Yes, he is a good person I'm sure. I've seen him at concerts and I've read interviews. He seems like a genuinely sweet person, which even his ex-fiance Shannon still states amidst everything that has come to pass. None of that, however, has anything to do with the ability for a very nice person to cheat. Mistakes happen. People mess up. Yes, even Matt Thiessen, the man you swear cares too much and OMG could never do that, is capable of messing up very badly. He's a human being just like you or me. Rock stars are not exempt and them having any sort of religion does not make an ounce of difference either. You can care very much and still make the biggest mistake you never thought you'd make. I know from personal experience. Again, I'm not saying you have to agree with me as this is my opinion, but I still think people should seriously consider the facts rather than blindly refusing to believe anything negative about your favorite singer. You should never base assumptions off of the ideology that you "can't" believe things, I will still listen to Relient K's music as I enjoy it quite a bit and I like Matt's writing. That doesn't mean I must refuse to believe Matt is capable of making a very human mistake. You love people where they're at and hope and pray that they can make it through whatever hardships they're experiencing. You love on them by being there for them. I'm just saying you don't have to put on a blindfold and pretend like one person is better than another. If you said "I can't believe Matt would do that, he cares too much," but then your brother or sister committed the very act being argued here, would you believe Matt is a better person than your brother or sister? No, because all of those people are humans and are, therefore, not immune to screwing up.
I don't you think you should be telling them what they can/can't believe. That's up to them, yo.<br /> <br /> Plus, it's really more of an expression, so go ahead and calm down.
I mean... the song and record is about making mistakes and moving past them. If he messed up, he realizes he messed up. He just has to move on-- "forget and not slow down". Dwelling on your mistakes is the worst thing and I think that is the central meaning of this song and record. Also, he realizes what he did was bad, but he also knows he can be a better person "Resurrect the saint from within the wretch". I think Matt is a great guy and writes amazing songs (many songs that other Christian bands wouldn't write). The song "The Truth" focuses on him doubting God and how difficult it is to believe. How many other Christian bands would bring that stuff up on a record? Not many. Normally its all about how great God is. Matt realizes people aren't perfect. People doubt God (even many Christians). People make mistakes, the important thing is moving past the mistakes and not dwelling on them. Realizing you can be a better person. Matt gets across tough relevant messages without being too preachy or cheesy.
i think this song has the same message as many of there others songs... about forward motion, not dwelling on the past and keep trying to improve yourself and personally i cant WAIT of the new album :D
I'm so happy.
Relient K never fails to produce an awesome song. Great song, can't wait for the rest of the album!
i love this song! and think it means just what it says btw: who else is excited about the new cd
This song is a reminder that we shouldn't get hung up on our past mistakes. Sometimes it's best just to erase them completely from our minds, have a fresh start and move on. And once again Matt Thiessen's genius shines through - "I'd rather forget and not slow down / Than gather regret for the things I can't change now" This is not just a simple rhyme. There are internal rhymes: rather, gather, forget, regret, down, now. Just genius.
I love this line: "Be certain the steps of left and right don't fight the direction of upright." Just bought this album! I am very excited. :)
Great song! I'm amazed at the difference in this record from their last (I think this one is much better), but this record is all about moving past mistakes. The last record had none of that. It was all happy. Makes you wonder if he did something bad that he needs to move on with, or just move on after his fiance broke up with him. The lines "resurrect the saint within the wretch" makes me think he messed up somehow.