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.
You tried to kill me off
Surprised I remain
A scale tips impossible
Afraid of my own name
And I always paid attention to all the lines you crossed
Forgive this imperfection it shows and know
I am the child that lives and cries in a corner
Dies in a corner
Alone inside your mind
Intend obsolescence
Built into the system
I tried to shake it off
You can't remove this stain
A scale breaks impossible
Affraid we are the same
And you never paid attention to all the lines I crossed
Forgive this imperfection it shows and know
I am the child that lives and cries in a corner
Dies in a corner
Alone inside your mind
Hides in a corner
Dies in a corner
Alone inside your mind
Intend obsolescence
Built into the system
Surprised I remain
A scale tips impossible
Afraid of my own name
And I always paid attention to all the lines you crossed
Forgive this imperfection it shows and know
I am the child that lives and cries in a corner
Dies in a corner
Alone inside your mind
Intend obsolescence
Built into the system
I tried to shake it off
You can't remove this stain
A scale breaks impossible
Affraid we are the same
And you never paid attention to all the lines I crossed
Forgive this imperfection it shows and know
I am the child that lives and cries in a corner
Dies in a corner
Alone inside your mind
Hides in a corner
Dies in a corner
Alone inside your mind
Intend obsolescence
Built into the system
Lyrics submitted by Profane
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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.
i think that they are putting "alice in chains" the band in perspective, great stuff.
i think this is about an ending relationship where one ostracizes the other because the other acted out so much and the one that cut the ties got tired of putting up with them.
Loving the new album. This song seems to be about someone who is ignored by someone they love but they keep trying to get back in their life.
I think this song is about 2 people who were once in a relationship, but are now afraid to speak to each other. Or afraid of what the other person thinks about them.
" You tried to kill me off Surprised I remain A scale tips impossible Afraid of my own name "
" And I always paid attention to all the lines you crossed Forgive this imperfection it shows and know I am the child that lives and cries in a corner Dies in a corner Alone inside your mind "
" Intend obsolescence built into the system "
Thats just my interperetation :)
The album is GREAT by the way, and this is probably my favorite song.
I tend to agree with myxsoma. I think this is written from the perspective of the remaining members of AiC.
"You tried to kill me off ==> No Layne, no AiC Surprised I remain ==> Sediment toward continuing on as AiC A scale tips impossible ==> Pressure/feelings about comparison of old/new AiC Afraid of my own name" ==> Sediment about ruining the AiC legacy
And I always paid attention to all the lines you crossed ==> They take the negative remarks about getting back together personally Forgive this imperfection it shows and know
I am the child that lives and cries in a corner ==> They feel that with Layne gone and the Dies in a corner ==> anti-reunion sediment that they are ==> being almost punished and neglected ==> for something that they didn't have control ==> over
Alone inside your mind
Intend obsolescence Built into the system ==> A bit of a crack at the "all good things must come to an end" moniker
I tried to shake it off ==> again remarks about fans negative feelings toward new AiC You can't remove this stain ==> this really hurt and will never really go away A scale breaks impossible ==> you cant really compare the the old to the new Afraid we are the same ==> the new sound might sound "too much" like Layne
And you never paid attention to all the lines I crossed ==> they have crossed lines too, like getting Forgive this imperfection it shows and know ==> back together when they said they wouldn't I am the child that lives and cries in a corner Dies in a corner
Alone inside your mind
Hides in a corner Dies in a corner Alone inside your mind
Intend obsolescence Built into the system
dude, i think u really hit it on a nail. i really agree with u.
definitely my fav song off a great album!
Does anyone have any idea of the meaning of the title?
A lot of these songs are about AIC, but my personal meaning of this song is about 2 people.
"and I always paid attention to all the lines you crossed", obvious meaning. All the times she hurt him, or crossed the line, he paid attention and he never forgot and will always hold it against her. He asks her to forgive that imperfection, because usually in a relationship it's about forgive and forget, but he can't do that when it comes to her, maybe she's hurt him too much to forgive and forget. To me this is about a one-sided relationship. The singer loved her, but he was never good enough for her..."intend obsolescence". The scales are basically all he's giving to her...give, give, give...tipping the scale and eventually breaking it because on her side of the scale there is nothing. When he talks about crossing the line, I take it as lines he crossed in order to save what they had, but she never paid attention.
Amazing song.
Amazing riff.
Amazing album.
Amazing band.
I agree with Bobby. I think it's about someone acting out, maybe a child for example, in order to get attention. They feel ignored so they act out and want any kind of attention the can get even if its negative (And you never paid attention to all the lines I crossed). They feel as though they are being passed over, perhaps by a parent or by just the world in general and they feel alone and it's really disturbing them. They would do anything to feel alive again, to feel noticed..to feel as if they matter.