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 pull my strings and push my soul
You fool my heart with every note
You drop a beat and kiss my face
You make me move then cut the base
And you work so hard to get me just to let me go
Yeah, you put me in the spotlight just to steal the show
And you try to take me home like you're DiMaggio
Oh (oh, oh) it's such a joke
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are we acting like lovers?
We don't know each other
Even though we used to rule the world
Why are you singing me love songs
What good is a love song
A love song without the love
You're so confused its getting old
You wear your ring but leave me cold
You're beautiful but cause me pain
You played my heart like it's a game
And you work so hard to get me just to let me go
Yeah, you put me in the spotlight just to steal the show
And you try to take me home like you're DiMaggio
Oh (oh, oh) it's criminal
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are we acting like lovers?
We don't know each other
Even though we used to rule the world
Why are you singing me love songs
What good is a love song
A love song without the love
This is the bend before the break
When we forget the harmony
This is how water colors fade
Into distant memories
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are we acting like lovers?
We don't know each other
Even though we used to rule the world
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
A love song without the love
(Ooh) Without the love
(Ooh) Without the love
(Ooh) Without the love
(Ooh) Without the love
You fool my heart with every note
You drop a beat and kiss my face
You make me move then cut the base
And you work so hard to get me just to let me go
Yeah, you put me in the spotlight just to steal the show
And you try to take me home like you're DiMaggio
Oh (oh, oh) it's such a joke
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are we acting like lovers?
We don't know each other
Even though we used to rule the world
Why are you singing me love songs
What good is a love song
A love song without the love
You're so confused its getting old
You wear your ring but leave me cold
You're beautiful but cause me pain
You played my heart like it's a game
And you work so hard to get me just to let me go
Yeah, you put me in the spotlight just to steal the show
And you try to take me home like you're DiMaggio
Oh (oh, oh) it's criminal
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are we acting like lovers?
We don't know each other
Even though we used to rule the world
Why are you singing me love songs
What good is a love song
A love song without the love
This is the bend before the break
When we forget the harmony
This is how water colors fade
Into distant memories
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
What good is a love song without the love?
Why are we acting like lovers?
We don't know each other
Even though we used to rule the world
Why are you singing me love songs?
What good is a love song?
A love song without the love
(Ooh) Without the love
(Ooh) Without the love
(Ooh) Without the love
(Ooh) Without the love
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