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 were young and you'd start
With a reverence unimpaired
There was an echo far and faint
Beneath the air remained
You were young and you'd stare
Where my limbs hung far and fair
Make a ladder of what folds
And climb up in the air
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
There was no light and I swear
I could see your raring fear
I heard the plains moaning back
I saw the thunder roll o'er black
There was no light and I swear
We sat still in our fear
Make a ladder of what folds
And climb up in the air
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
(And I)
Carve out the spaces (and I)
Imparted graces (and I)
I couldn't shake it (and I)
I built a constellation lair
Out of the moles that hovered there
A fever billowed with the wind
And I bade the sky therein
I built a constellation lair
Out of the moles that hovered there
Make a pardon of what knows
And climb up in the air
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
With a reverence unimpaired
There was an echo far and faint
Beneath the air remained
You were young and you'd stare
Where my limbs hung far and fair
Make a ladder of what folds
And climb up in the air
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
There was no light and I swear
I could see your raring fear
I heard the plains moaning back
I saw the thunder roll o'er black
There was no light and I swear
We sat still in our fear
Make a ladder of what folds
And climb up in the air
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
(And I)
Carve out the spaces (and I)
Imparted graces (and I)
I couldn't shake it (and I)
I built a constellation lair
Out of the moles that hovered there
A fever billowed with the wind
And I bade the sky therein
I built a constellation lair
Out of the moles that hovered there
Make a pardon of what knows
And climb up in the air
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
Lyrics submitted by birman-kai, edited by Turgid, thebigragu09
Push Pull Lyrics as written by Corin Roddick Megan James
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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!
More Featured Meanings
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
Grand Theft Auto
Insane Ian
Insane Ian
The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”