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.
Woke up to sun streaming in my room
Warm beachfront palm December afternoon
You close your eyes another year blows by
Somewhere in the wind just another life
My parents sent a Christmas
Card and tennis shoes
"We understand you’re staying
And we’re proud of you"
There’s a well-rehearsed disinterest
In the atmosphere
I don’t know if that’s what this town gave me
Or if it led me here
And I played so many parts
I don’t know which one’s really me
Don’t know if I can take
Another Christmas in LA
Another pitcher of Sangria
In an empty beach café
Another Christmas in LA
Hold me tighter Carmelita
I don’t know how long I can stay
Left a girl behind in my old man’s truck
Sometimes I wonder where she ended up
Maybe she got married, had a couple of kids
Who do you think you’re fooling man?
Of course she did
I’m walking in Dan Tana's bar
Try and talk with Harry Dean
I don’t know if I can take
Another Christmas in LA
Another casting call on Thursday
For a job that doesn’t pay
Another Christmas in LA
Another burnout in a tank top
Who seems to bask in his decay
A fat protagonist in flip flops
With an extensive resume
From Echo Park to Catalina
Dreaming of a white Christmas
The one I used to know
Tree tops glisten, children listen
To sleigh bells in the snow
Warm beachfront palm December afternoon
You close your eyes another year blows by
Somewhere in the wind just another life
My parents sent a Christmas
Card and tennis shoes
"We understand you’re staying
And we’re proud of you"
There’s a well-rehearsed disinterest
In the atmosphere
I don’t know if that’s what this town gave me
Or if it led me here
And I played so many parts
I don’t know which one’s really me
Don’t know if I can take
Another Christmas in LA
Another pitcher of Sangria
In an empty beach café
Another Christmas in LA
Hold me tighter Carmelita
I don’t know how long I can stay
Left a girl behind in my old man’s truck
Sometimes I wonder where she ended up
Maybe she got married, had a couple of kids
Who do you think you’re fooling man?
Of course she did
I’m walking in Dan Tana's bar
Try and talk with Harry Dean
I don’t know if I can take
Another Christmas in LA
Another casting call on Thursday
For a job that doesn’t pay
Another Christmas in LA
Another burnout in a tank top
Who seems to bask in his decay
A fat protagonist in flip flops
With an extensive resume
From Echo Park to Catalina
Dreaming of a white Christmas
The one I used to know
Tree tops glisten, children listen
To sleigh bells in the snow
Lyrics submitted by phoebe9261
Christmas in L.A. Lyrics as written by Brandon Flowers Irving Berlin
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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