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 never knew yourself well enough
But she never knew you at all
And when she put you out on your own
It may have stolen your innocence
But not your soul
Tell me where is little boy blue
You'll find him standing always
One step ahead
Fast a little, shy a little, boy blue
Wise blood runs warms and deep
On the street
...Kids walking, just a kid walking
You send a letter with photographs
And I'll tuck them under my dreams
And if we wake up old beyond our years
Not quite as brave as we seem
It's just the pain that never disappears
Tell me where is boy blue
You'll find him standing always one step ahead...
Dance a little, cry a little...
Where are you boy blue
Where are you...
But she never knew you at all
And when she put you out on your own
It may have stolen your innocence
But not your soul
Tell me where is little boy blue
You'll find him standing always
One step ahead
Fast a little, shy a little, boy blue
Wise blood runs warms and deep
On the street
...Kids walking, just a kid walking
You send a letter with photographs
And I'll tuck them under my dreams
And if we wake up old beyond our years
Not quite as brave as we seem
It's just the pain that never disappears
Tell me where is boy blue
You'll find him standing always one step ahead...
Dance a little, cry a little...
Where are you boy blue
Where are you...
Lyrics submitted by xJoeBoothx
Boy Blue Lyrics as written by Lauper Bova
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Actually, Cyndi wrote this song for one of her friends that was then dying of AIDS. (He has long since passed away.)
I believe you, Pixeey, because Blue Boy was the name of a popular (yet underground) gay magazine that apparently still exists today. I once accompanied my gay male roommate to a "gay bookstore" for the magazine. Lauper was not afraid to tackle the social issues and social tabboo's of the day. She was WAY ahead of her time, which makes her so impressive as an artist (and as a human being). The magazine was started in 1975 and first showcased soft porn. It's since evolved (or devolved, depending upon your feelings on the topic).
Cyndi wrote this song about her friend Gregory Natal, one of her best friends and a gay man who died of AIDS at age 27 in late 1985. He lived life as a homeless teen after being thrown out of his home by his mother after she came in upon his father raping him. She threw out the kid and kept the rapist. His nickname was Boy Blue because the nursery rhyme of Boy Blue was his favorite poem. I don't agree with Cyndi on my opinions of homosexuality, but I have to say this song is catchy, good, and her performance of it in 1987 'live in Paris' was phenomenal.
This track is dedicated to Cyndi's Boy Blue as it is said in the liner notes of her album True Colors is her Boy Blue her boyfriend at that time?>