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.
When I see you in the sun you're as pretty as a swastika
Take you down, down from the inside
Take you down, down from the inside
I want to smash into your face, like a plain
And drown in between your legs
Take you down, down from the inside
Take you down, down from the inside
I'd die for your sins
If you don't kill me while I'm trying, baby
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
There's more than one way, to make you cry
When I see you in the sun you're as pretty as a swastika
When I see you in the sun you're as pretty as a swastika
Take you down, down from the inside
Take you down, down from the inside
One of us is a knife
One of us is ripe, baby
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
There's more than one way, to make you cry
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
There's more than one way, to make you cry
Take you down, down from the inside
Take you down, down from the inside
I want to smash into your face, like a plain
And drown in between your legs
Take you down, down from the inside
Take you down, down from the inside
I'd die for your sins
If you don't kill me while I'm trying, baby
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
There's more than one way, to make you cry
When I see you in the sun you're as pretty as a swastika
When I see you in the sun you're as pretty as a swastika
Take you down, down from the inside
Take you down, down from the inside
One of us is a knife
One of us is ripe, baby
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
There's more than one way, to make you cry
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
Let me show you where it hurts
There's more than one way, to make you cry
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Pretty as a ($) Lyrics as written by Chris Vrenna Brian Warner
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
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He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.
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Word Alive, The
This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
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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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
i think its all genius metaphores for having sex... aon the other hand it could mean something more political but i know manson... so its probably both meanings at the same time...
First.
Great song. More about someone who would do anything for someone else who may be a particularly ruthless person.
this shits my favourite.
Manson is one weird dude. lol I think that he uses his initial lyrics to kind of freak us out. As in the public. Then he has hidden messages or stories in his lyrics that we can kind of find. lol like Reflecting God is kind of a message of how the human race is helping destroy itself but on the outside, it just seems like he's calling himself God.
marilyn manson said he saw a girl with black hair,red lips,and a pale face and told her she was as pretty as a swastika and it led to sex.
i wouldn't consider that to be weird. i would consider it brilliant. most people don't understand the meaning behind most of his songs. but if they did, and if they actually TRIED to accept the meaning. They'd be suprised that there is actually someone this smart in the world. that's all manson is. one smart guy, trying to get people to open their eyes a little bit and look for a deeper meaning to life.
not a bad song, but the title just seems like a desperate attempt to be 'shocking' for publicity
and armagoddamnmotherfuckingeddon wasn't? lol come on now.
Pretty as a Swastika is about one of his girlfriends or romantic interests, he said it himself and it related to the black hair, pale skin, and red lipstick. I think you can find it in an interview. He also mentions how the record company wouldn't let him put 'swastika' because stores like Wal-Mart refused to sell it so he had to put ($) which he said means the fact that everything is revolved about money and it sickens him. Look it up you'll find it :)
did anybody catch how this song coincides with the first one to create an emotion? devour ends and goes right into this song. with a smash and the heart rate jumps up. ensues. in devour they reject the person who put themself out there. this song reminds me of everytime my ex would refuse to converse with me and slam a door in my face and id spend hours screaming and crying at his door. abusive at best on both parts.
eventually you ust get stabbed. it hurts. let me show you where?