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.
Put on your blindfold and a dress that's tight
And come with me on a mystery night
Open your eyes
Follow our stars under a painted sky
We'll leave the world behind, we're learning to fly
We used to get by
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Forget the pictures on your TV screen
We'll steal the visions that you keep for your dreams
You can turn me on
I was blind, and I saw the light
My angel coming in a brilliant white
Shine for me
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
You've been hanging from a rope of mediocrity
Strung up by your insecurities
You can shine for me
Somebody has to shine for me
It's difficult not to shine for me
Follow our stars under a painted sky
We'll leave the world behind, we're learning to fly
We used to get by
Forget the pictures on your TV screen
We'll steal the visions that you keep for your dreams
You can turn me on
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
You've been hanging from a rope of mediocrity
Strung up by your insecurities
You can shine for me
Somebody has to shine for me
It's difficult not to shine for me
Somebody has to shine for me
It's difficult not to shine for me
And come with me on a mystery night
Open your eyes
Follow our stars under a painted sky
We'll leave the world behind, we're learning to fly
We used to get by
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Forget the pictures on your TV screen
We'll steal the visions that you keep for your dreams
You can turn me on
I was blind, and I saw the light
My angel coming in a brilliant white
Shine for me
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
You've been hanging from a rope of mediocrity
Strung up by your insecurities
You can shine for me
Somebody has to shine for me
It's difficult not to shine for me
Follow our stars under a painted sky
We'll leave the world behind, we're learning to fly
We used to get by
Forget the pictures on your TV screen
We'll steal the visions that you keep for your dreams
You can turn me on
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
You've been hanging from a rope of mediocrity
Strung up by your insecurities
You can shine for me
Somebody has to shine for me
It's difficult not to shine for me
Somebody has to shine for me
It's difficult not to shine for me
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The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
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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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Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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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.
When Dave is saying "Shine for me", I believe he wants someone to show their true self to them, not hide behind a veil. he wants someone thats true.
"You've been hanging from a rope of mediocrity Strung up by your insecurities You can shine for me Somebody has to shine for me It's difficult not to shine for me"
This song just makes me think about Dave asking Martin to have songs written by him on the album and getting rejected. While there were claims that Dave's songs didn't fit the themes of 'Ultra' and 'Exciter'. 'Paper Monsters' did get a lot of flack for "mediocre lyrics" by the press. Perhaps Gore agreed with them before the world was even privy to them? Anyways, I think Dave said that he felt like a "tool" that he was only useful because of his voice and that's what I think about during the "Somebody has to shine for me" part.
I am under the belief that many of the songs are not beholden to a single topic.
man cant belive no comments on tis song..well i tink tis song iz bout wa we all go through.....depression,envy bla bla bla...luv da line forget da pictures on yr tv screen...i tink dis says alot,tv iz lyka god in todays age,it sets our rulez,our frame ov mind n shit...so tis track iz bout a guy who wants to stripoff tis fake mask dat we see ppl caryyin around
Lovely words from our Metal Massiah here, but I think you sort of missed the point.
Now, this song was off Exciter, which was their first studio album since Ultra. And a lot of fans of DM know that Dave was doing this album after recovering from a vary serious herion and alcohol addiction... so I thought that this song was more of a shot back at the media. I mean, I have no real evedence by which I coudl back that up, but Dave's addiction got as much media attention in Europe as any star's would here in america. I could be wrong. But that's what I figgured. it to be.
This is definitely the best song on Exciter, easily.
I love that song!!
He's persuading this girl full of taboos and complex, so he's trying to make her leave those feelings by forgetting what TV shows (those hot and sexy girls...) and being her true self, 'cause that will turn him on...
Beautiful song. He wants the girl to let go of her insecurities and show her true self, shine for him. I love the lyrics..
That special someone that you discover the world with. He wants to see her shine (be her true self) with him so they can both discover the world. There is a sexual undertone in this song, so there can be something implied there.