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.
Sitting in the stand of the sports arena
Waiting for the show to begin
Red lights, green lights, strawberry wine
A good friend of mine, follows the stars
Venus and Mars
Are alright tonight
What's that man holding in his hands?
He looks a lot like a guy I knew way back when
It's silly willy with the Philly band
Could be oo-ee
What's that man movin' 'cross the stage?
It looks a lot like the one used by Jimmy Page
It's like a relic from A different age
Could be oo-ee
If there's a rock show at the concert gebow
They've got long hair
At the Madison square
You've got rock and roll
At the Hollywood Bowl
We'll be there oh yeah
In my green metal suit I'm preparing to shoot up the city
And the ring at the end of my nose makes me look rather pretty
Its a pity there's nobody here to witness the end
Save for my dear old friend and confidante Mademoiselle Kitty
Whats that man movin' to and fro?
That decibel meter doesn't seem to be reading low
But they was louder at the Rainbow
Could be oo-ee
If there's a Rock Show at the Concert gebow
They've got long hair
At the Madison Square
You've got Rock and Roll
At the Hollywood Bowl
We'll be there oh yeah
If there's a rock show at the Concert gebow
They've got long hair oh at the Madison
You've got Rock and Roll at the Hollywood Bowl
Waiting for the show to begin
Red lights, green lights, strawberry wine
A good friend of mine, follows the stars
Venus and Mars
Are alright tonight
What's that man holding in his hands?
He looks a lot like a guy I knew way back when
It's silly willy with the Philly band
Could be oo-ee
What's that man movin' 'cross the stage?
It looks a lot like the one used by Jimmy Page
It's like a relic from A different age
Could be oo-ee
If there's a rock show at the concert gebow
They've got long hair
At the Madison square
You've got rock and roll
At the Hollywood Bowl
We'll be there oh yeah
In my green metal suit I'm preparing to shoot up the city
And the ring at the end of my nose makes me look rather pretty
Its a pity there's nobody here to witness the end
Save for my dear old friend and confidante Mademoiselle Kitty
Whats that man movin' to and fro?
That decibel meter doesn't seem to be reading low
But they was louder at the Rainbow
Could be oo-ee
If there's a Rock Show at the Concert gebow
They've got long hair
At the Madison Square
You've got Rock and Roll
At the Hollywood Bowl
We'll be there oh yeah
If there's a rock show at the Concert gebow
They've got long hair oh at the Madison
You've got Rock and Roll at the Hollywood Bowl
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How has nobody commented on this song!? This song alone proves that Macca can rock when he wants to, even if the song is a parody of the genre itself.
One of his really great songs! It flat out kicks some major derriere. He trimmed it down on 'Wingspan' for some weird reason. This is not a song that should be editted. It is good from start to finish. Of course the throw away lyric about Mademoiselle Kitty is annoying but only slightly. This was released about the time Paul was beginning to gather real confidence in his ability to tour with a new band. It definitely sounds like it here.
In my green metal suit I'm preparing to shoot up the city, is another reference to the Titanium Man, a Marvel Comics villain included in the song Magneto and Titanium Man. The song also included a reference to the Crimson Dynamo, all from Marvel Comics.
@whoboy62 Thank you! I was wondering what these lyrics meant.
Sweeeeeeeet song
Oh, how I love this song. I always listen to it when I work out because it makes me pumped up for some reason. XDXD
"Looks like a guy I knew way back when..,Silly Willy with a Philly band." This song could by another reference to John Lennon, who did the live concert with Elton John, and whose song "Philadelphia Freedom" was very popular at the time.
The lyrics that I've seen for the 2nd verse are: "What's that man movin' 'cross the stage? It looks a lot like the one used by Jimmy Page It's like a Relic from A different age ..."